Overview

Neighborhood Revitalization serves more families by responding to community aspirations with an expanded array of products, services and partnerships, empowering residents to revive their neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life.

For families to succeed, sometimes the dynamics of their neighborhood have to change. Neighborhood Revitalization is a holistic approach that expands Habitat’s traditional partnership with new homeowners and volunteers to include neighbors and local organizations for a far greater impact. While new home construction continues to play a vital role, a bigger toolbox that includes repairs and other services allows Habitat to serve more families. Neighborhood Revitalization starts at the grassroots level — with people in the community determining the goals for their neighborhood.

Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity will facilitate partnerships between residents, community organizations, and agencies to help residents bring about the changes they want to see in their community. The Neighborhood Revitalization Program offers three categories of assistance:

Home Preservation

Revitalizing communities through improvements to the exteriors of homes.

  • General cleaning (trash removal, cleaning of exterior)
  • Landscaping (clearing brush, trimming shrubbery)
Aging-in-Place

Helping homeowners age safely and securely in the comfort of their own homes

  • Accessibility improvements (wheelchair ramps, exterior handrails)
  • Interior modifications (grab bars, added lighting, flush thresholds)
Targeted Local Assistance

Supporting municipal efforts to empower the community to make positive changes through the development of a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan

  • Identify local stakeholders (organizations, businesses, residents, other local entities) and develop a community-wide coalition
  • Conduct neighborhood surveys to identify neighborhood needs
  • Develop a community-driven neighborhood revitalization plan
  • Initiate community-based projects (clean-ups)
  • Identify funding sources to implement plans

Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity will facilitate partnerships between residents, community organizations, and agencies to help residents bring about the changes they want to see in their community. A wide array of housing services can be tapped to help transform communities in need, such as:

  • New, energy-efficient house construction for first-time homeowners.
  • Rehabilitation of vacant and foreclosed properties.
  • Exterior home improvements for existing low-income homeowners through A Brush with Kindness.
  • Accessibility improvements to help homeowners age safely and securely in their homes through Aging-in-Place/Ramps & Rails

Habitat for Humanity is just one part of a community-wide solution. Collaboration between residents and local groups is an essential ingredient of Neighborhood Revitalization.

This includes:

  • Working with residents and other significant stakeholders in the community to develop a common plan of recovery and vision for the future.
  • Forging both formal and informal partnerships and alliances at the local level.
  • Joining or forming community coalitions.
  • Rallying active neighborhood support.
  • Advocating public policy for local housing initiatives.