The New Jersey Shore Builders Association recently honored the DiTullio family at its general membership meeting. The DiTullios, Mike, Jennifer and their young daughter Christie, are the soon-to-be owners of a Habitat for Humanity house in Freehold Borough that was entirely donated by the builders association.
“Words can’t describe how grateful we are for the outpouring of generosity from the builders association,” said Mike DiTullio. “It’s an incredible organization.”
“Thanks for my house,” added 4-year-old Christie.
According to a press release, Mike and Jennifer first called Habitat for Human-ity after Mike’s father had shown them an advertisement in a newspaper. They had always dreamed of a home of their own to bring up their daughter.
After nine months they were told that their application had been accepted.
The New Jersey Shore Builders Assoc-iation was the general contractor for DiTullios’’ home. According to the press release, the builders association and its more than 470 members volunteered all time and materials to help Habitat for Humanity build one of six houses on a cul-de-sac off Institute Street in Freehold Borough.
The cul-de-sac has been named E Street after Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Springsteen spent part of his childhood in a home on Institute Street in the borough. His band takes its name from E Street in Belmar.
“The shore builders have really impressed us,” said Jenn DiTullio. “They have done an incredible job on our home and have shown a tremendous amount of care. To honor us at their general membership meeting is way beyond the call. We should be honoring them.”
As part of their contract with Habitat for Humanity, the DiTullios had to put in “sweat equity” by working on their home and the other five homes at the job site. They will also be responsible for paying the mortgage for the home.
According to Mark Buckley, the association’s liaison to the Western Mon-mouth Habitat for Humanity, the new home is 1,275 square feet in size and cost approximately $60,000 to build.
“The inventory of affordable housing in New Jersey continues to be a problem due to government regulations and the economics of building lower cost homes,” said Tom Critelli, president of the New Jersey Shore Builders Association. “I am very proud of how our membership has supported this worthwhile cause.”
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds what it calls simple, decent affordable housing in its partnership with people in need. Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity was officially incorporated in 1989. Since its inception, 17 houses have been built or rehabilitated. Over the past 14 years, the organization has raised more than $1 million to provide simple, decent affordable housing.
New Jersey Shore Builders Assoc-iation members who contributed to the project were also recognized at the meeting.