Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity revitalizes neighborhoods, builds affordable and sustainable homes, and empowers families through successful home ownership. Northern Ocean Habitat is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global home building movement. Habitat welcomes people from all walks of life to partner in serving families in need and creating a better community for everyone who lives here.

Founded in 2000, Northern Ocean Habitat has been providing home ownership opportunities for hardworking families for 17 years. Northern Ocean Habitat serves the northern region of Ocean County, and has built 18 affordable homes and rehabbed 60 Sandy-impacted homes in partnership with local families. Collectively, Habitat for Humanity has built over 1,000,000 homes worldwide, averaging one home every seven minutes.

Habitat works with qualified, low-income families to help them realize the dream of owning their own home. We do this through a hand-up, not hand-out model in which homeowners help to build and then buy their home from Habitat.

Here’s how it works: after completing 300 sweat equity hours, families sign their affordable mortgages and make monthly payments that are based on no more than 30% of their monthly income. These payments go into the Revolving Fund for Humanity to pay it forward, helping to build more homes.

Additionally, Habitat offers home repair services to low-income homeowners, using the same affordable payment and sweat equity model. Northern Ocean Habitat has repaired over 150 homes for seniors, veterans, disabled peoples and those who cannot make repairs themselves since 2010.

Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat partner families find themselves in a position of strength. Habitat homeowners are committed and successful. By providing a hand up, not a handout, our program prepares and empowers those we serve.