Habitat to Break Ground on Its First Home in Moorestown

For the first time in its 25-year history, will break ground on a new home in Moorestown this weekend.

The two-bedroom home is the 41st Habitat home in Burlington County, and the very first in Moorestown, according to executive director Todd Ermer. “We’re very excited. Already we’ve seen a lot of enthusiasm for the project.”

The home will be built on a lot at 45 E. Third St., where fire destroyed a previously existing home a couple years ago.

Habitat built two homes in Cinnaminson recently—both on Kern Street in the East Riverton section. A  and another .

Ermer said Habitat already has a family—a brother and sister—lined up to move into the house once it’s built. The family is in the midst of completing its “sweat equity,” which involves volunteer labor at another Habitat home site, as well as financial training and tips on how to be good neighbors.

Through sweat equity, “they develop pride in ownership,” said Ermer. “Studies have shown home ownership is better for communities.”

To be eligible to live in a Habitat home, families must have a housing need, meaning they live in housing that is substandard, overcrowded or unaffordable (more than 35 percent of their income goes to rent), Ermer explained. They also have to have stable income, usually between 28-60 percent of the income in their area.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is sponsoring construction of the home, committing more than half of the funds needed to build it, and will be engaging the community to round up volunteers, said Ermer. The goal is to have construction completed by the end of the year.

“We always say, we’re not the fastest builder, but we’re the most inclusive,” he said.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Everyone is welcome to attend.

To volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Burlington County, call 856-303-8080.