Habitat homes well-deserved
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/1/06
As someone who has worked building homes for Habitat for Humanity, I
was appalled to read Howell Mayor Joseph DiBella's statements
regarding affordable housing in Howell: "We'll be saying, 'Oh, good
news, Habitat for Humanity is going to build in your backyard.' And
we'll hear, "Why did you pick where I live?' " ("Howell won't ID land
for housing," Nov. 13.)
It is obvious DiBella has never seen one of the quality-built homes
that Habitat constructs, homes that are a credit to their
neighborhoods. But even more obvious from the tenor of his statements
is that he wants no affordable housing in Howell at all, preferring
to pay Lakewood and Keyport to assume Howell's obligation to build
such badly needed homes.
Contrary to what many people think, recipients of Habitat for
Humanity homes do not have homes "given" to them. They must have a
job, a good credit rating and the ability to pay a mortgage and taxes
on their homes. They also have to put in hundreds of hours of sweat
equity, helping to build their owns homes.
These people work locally in our hospitals, schools and offices.
They can't just afford to buy one of the McMansions that towns in
Monmouth and Ocean counties seem so eager to add to their tax rolls.
Perhaps DiBella and his fellow Planning Board members should educate
themselves about how Habitat for Humanity operates before they
denigrate them so publicly.
Martin Glassman
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