Raritan Valley Breaks Ground On New Habitat For Humanity Duplex

RARITAN VALLEY, NJ — Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity celebrated the launch of a two-story duplex on Raritan Avenue, the organization announced in a news release.

On Nov. 19, Raritan Valley Mayor Gary Hazard joined future homeowners, RV Habitat Executive Director Melissa Flynn, and RV Habitat Board President Nuno Barboza to break ground on the duplex at the corner of Raritan Avenue and South Main Street.

Hazard welcomed future homeowner Duane Drew, a single mother with two sons, to the community. “We are so happy to welcome Daune and future Habitat Homeowners to our community. This is a wonderful and welcoming place to live,” he said.

Drew, the first homeowner to be chosen, said the new home helps her know that she’s “building a bit of stability and wealth for my boys to enjoy.” A second family for the duplex will be announced in December, according to the Habitat news release.

The ceremony was capped by an a cappella rendition of Recover by Natasha Bedingfield from Awesome Caldwell, the daughter of an RV Habitat homeowner.

RV Habitat has been building homes in Somerset and Hunterdon counties since 1991. Homeowners are selected through an extensive application project, and must commit to regular mortgage payments and between 200 and 500 “sweat equity hours,” which can be anything from helping with Habitat construction to taking financial literacy classes.