Habitat for Humanity Unveils Renderings of Future Oradell Homes

Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County unveiled the architectural renderings of two, two-family homes planned for development on two lots at the corner of Westervelt Place and Lake Avenue at a community outreach meeting on Monday night. About 20 residents attended the event.

Approved by the in June, Jacey Raimondo, executive director, said construction is expected to begin in December.

“We’re probably about a week and a half way from the building inspector in Oradell giving us a permit,” Raimondo said.

Each house will include two, 1,800 sq. ft. single-family dwellings separated by a dividing wall. Neither home will be built with a basement but each of the four families will have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and use of a two-car garage. 

The homes, designed so they will fit in with the surrounding neighborhood, will also be LEED certified – something the organization hopes will help the homeowners with energy costs. All appliances will be energy efficient and all water fixtures will be low flow.

“We’re hoping a PSE&G bill will be no more than $100 per month,” said Keith Lesser, the project’s architect.  

Lesser said a typical home build takes between six to nine months, but the Habitat for Humanity project will take about one year due to the use of volunteers. Professional trade workers will also be assisting in the build, however.

Lesser said they expect little to no construction waste as a result of the build. This is another way, he explained, in which they are able to be more environmentally efficient.

Raimondo said families that apply for home ownership must meet core Habitat for Humanity criteria, which includes a minimum salary of about $35,000 annually, the ability to make mortgage payments – on an interest-free Habitat mortgage – and a promise to put 400 hours of “sweat equity” into the building of their home.

“They start building their sense of community on the project as they’re building their homes,” Raimondo said.

Applications will go before a selection committee. Raimondo said three Oradell residents have volunteered to be on the committee that will identify qualified applicants.

Kurt Breitenstein, one of the organization’s board members, said before qualified applicants are submitted into a lottery for the homes, they must also meet Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) requirements.

After homeowners are selected, they are assigned a mentor and attend an educational program about home ownership. Raimondo said the mentors stay in touch with the homeowners for up to two years after they move into the home.

Raimondo said residents can apply to volunteer with the building of the homes at habitatbergen.org where a calendar will show what days volunteers are needed.

Raimondo said 6.6 percent of Bergen County residents, almost 60,000 members of the population, currently live below the poverty line.

“That’s the population we serve,” she said, adding that those who secure home ownership are usually healthier, safer, and more involved with their community than those who don’t.