Mayor Amato announces with donation makes one million to local non-profits since 2012
BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen Amato along with the Township Council recently donated another $100,000 to Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity. The Township and Habitat have partnered in housing rehabilitation efforts for residents and the construction of workforce housing.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity with this most recent donation of $100,000. The donation comes from the Township’s affordable housing trust fund, not taxpayers dollars. The trust fund receives monies that are paid from developers and new construction in the Township.” Mayor Amato said.
“With this donation, Berkeley Township has contributed one million dollars from the trust fund to local non-profit agencies.” Mayor Amato said.
“Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity began their mission work in Manitou Park with a repair to Eunice Grant’s home. They did extensive repair work to her roof.” Mayor Amato said.
According to Suzan Fichtner, Executive Director of Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, “We followed with three other critical home repairs to assist low income homeowners with preservation and/or repairs. This is part of our commitment to Neighborhood Revitalization which is a Habitat for Humanity International Initiative. As part of our commitment to Manitou Park and Neighborhood Revitalization we also built four homes in Manitou Park, two were built with a partnership with the Ocean County Vocational School. This was a pivotal time for Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity as we responded to Super Storm Sandy (rebuilt 60 homes ravaged by Sandy) as we continued to build workforce housing. For the past ten years we have been repairing homes for our low income neighbors through our Aging in Place program, Veteran Repair Program, Weatherization program, Critical Home Program and home preservation program (Brush with Kindness). To date we have repaired 230 homes. These donations make all of this possible.”
“I want to thank Mayor Amato and the Council for their overwhelming support in our mission.” Said Suzan Fichtner.
“We appreciate our partnership as well. We look forward to working with Habitat and other non-profit agencies in the future.” Mayor Amato said.