Berkeley Council Donates Lots, 250K To Habitat For Humanity

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley Township donated two lots in the township as well as $250,000 to the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity.

The two township-owned vacant lots are in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley, which has been used over the past several years for affordable housing projects.

Mayor Carmen Amato and the Berkeley Township Council also presented Habitat for Humanity with a check of $250,000 coming from the township's affordable housing trust fund. This trust fund is funded by a one percent for residential and two and a half percent for commercial surcharge assessed to the valuation of new construction in the township, not tax dollars.

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kristine Novakowski and Construction Director Bob Conway were present at a recent council meeting to accept the check.

"Where do I start to thank Berkeley Township?" Conway said.

Novakowski thanked Amato and the council for their "great partnership."

"I think this might fit in my car," she joked of the oversized ceremonial check.

The group plans to break ground in the spring.

Berkeley has previously donated three lots to Habitat for Humanity.

"We are very grateful for the opportunity to be back in Manitou to build two new Habitat homes," Novakowski said previously. "By working together, Berkeley Township and Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, are helping to build a strong and stable community."

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Habitat for Humanity in providing affordable workforce housing," Amato said.