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What is the home repair program?

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity’s home repair program helps low to moderate income homeowners repair and maintain their homes. We partner with homeowners to address critical health and safety issues, make aging-in-place modifications, and improve weatherization.

Think You Qualify For a Habitat Repair?

Download a copy of our Home Repair Preliminary Application- available in English and Spanish.

Preliminary Application (English)

Solicitud Preliminar (Espanol)

 

If you meet our income requirements, fill out the form, and send any of these three ways:

1. Scan and email it to: aschratz@northernoceanhabitat.org
2. Fax it to (732) 818-9510 
3. OR send via U.S. mail to Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Administrative Office, 1620 Route 37 East, Toms River, NJ 08753

 

Still have questions? Call or email our Program Manager at
(732) 818-9500 x 102
aschratz@northernoceanhabitat.org

Willingness to Partner

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity prides itself on being an organization that values volunteer labor and service as a vessel to assist more homeowners in need of decent, affordable housing. As part of our organization’s commitment to providing a “hand up,” not a “hand out,” we encourage homeowners to “pay it forward” through simple acts of kindness such as writing a thank you note that can be shared with donors and volunteers.

 

Partner homeowners have the option of donating to enable Northern Ocean Habitat to continue to assist more moderate-to-low income neighbors with housing repairs. However, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity does not require a donation. Please note the following:

 

  • All donations are confidential, voluntary, and to the best of your ability.
  • Donations are used to fund our home build and repair program.
  • No eligible person will be denied services due to an inability to donate.
  • Donations accepted can also include donations to the ReStore.

Locations

You must reside in northern Ocean County in one of the following towns:

  • Bay Head
  • Bayville
  • Beachwood
  • Berkeley
  • Brick
  • Island Heights
  • Jackson
  • Lakehurst
  • Lakewood
  • Lavallette
  • Manchester
  • Mantoloking
  • Ocean Gate
  • Pine Beach
  • Plumsted Township / New Egypt
  • Pt Pleasant/Pt Pleasant Beach
  • Seaside Heights/Seaside Park
  • South Toms River
  • Toms River
  • Whiting

What is the process?

  • The applicant’s initial contact with NOHFH is through the preliminary application. This generally happens over the phone, but you can also print one and mail it in. This is a screening questionnaire to make sure the applicant will qualify.
  • After the preliminary discussion, the homeowner will receive the full application. The full application asks for several supporting documents including financial documents, proof of homeownership, and identification. 
  • The application is then vetted to make sure the homeowner meets all qualifying criteria, including thorough financial vetting. 
  • Qualified applications are then assessed by the construction director, program manager, and volunteer social worker. We look at the requested repair and speak with the homeowner to better understand their needs. The construction director will draft a proposal for a scope of work to address the homeowner’s concerns.
  • Assessed projects are presented to the Homeowner Services Committee for discussion and approval. Approval and denial are based on need and available funding. Approved projects that are quoted over $5,000 must be approved by the Board of Directors. The Board reserves the right to require a lien on any projects over $5,000.  
  • If a project is approved, the homeowner will sign paperwork regarding the program and scope of work and then construction can commence.  
  • Once construction is completed, the homeowner will sign exit paperwork.  

What repairs do we do?

repair list for website

What repairs don't we do?

Northern Ocean Habitat does not:

  • repair or replace air conditioning
  • trim or remove trees
  • install walk-in tubs
  • address significant structural issues or masonry
  • work in homes with asbestos
  • remodel or complete aesthetic improvements or historic restorations (our programs focus on health and safety)
  • any work that goes beyond the scope of available funding or program capacity.
Download Home Repair Flyers (available in English or Spanish)

Download Flyer (English)Download Flyer (Spanish)

Critical Home Repairs Make a Lasting Impact

Our Critical Home Repair program is one of the few outlets Ocean County homeowners have when home maintenance becomes a financial and physical hardship. We are proud to be an organization that focuses on health and safety, performing needed repairs that allow our community members to remain in and afford a home that means the world to them. In fiscal year ’25, with the help of our partners and volunteers, we provided 63 households with a hand-up. Below are a few stories from our homeowners that we’d like to share with you.

 

Our goal this fiscal year is to serve 72 households. Join us and be part of the effort in creating a stronger, safer community. Donations big or small can mean the difference of a safe home for a family or individual. Click HERE to donate.

 

If you have any questions or would like to learn about more ways to get involved, contact Lisa at Lpeck@northernoceanhabitat.org or 732-818-9500 x 100.

graph of repair percentages

impact stories

George and Mary of Whiting

George and Mary have proudly called their home in Whiting their own since 2009. As maintaining their home became more challenging with age, our Critical Home Repair Program helped them remain safe and comfortable with accessibility and energy-efficient upgrades. They were deeply grateful for the support, knowing these improvements will allow them to continue enjoying their home for years to come.

Barbara of Berkeley

Barbara, a retired chaplain and longtime homeowner since 2005, is deeply connected to her community and supported by friends and fellow church members. When aging windows led to drafts and higher energy bills, our Critical Home Repair Program replaced four windows—making her home more comfortable, secure, and energy-efficient, and bringing her peace of mind through the winter months.

Robert and Laura of Whiting

Robert and Laura have called Pine Ridge at Crestwood home for nearly 20 years and remain active, well-known members of their community. Through our Critical Home Repair Program, their home received key safety and accessibility upgrades, helping them stay comfortable and secure while continuing to enjoy—and give back to—the neighborhood they love.

Thank you to our community partners, businesses, and donors who support our Critical Home Repair Program!

Amboy Bank Foundation
Brick Township Community Development Block Grant
Dave and Nan Daly
Federal Home Loan Bank
Friends Foundation for the Aging
Kearny Bank
Lowe’s
Manasquan Bank
Ocean County Senior Services
Ocean County Community Development Block Grant
OceanFirst Bank
Project Home Repair
Toms River Community Development Block Grant

Learn everything you need to
know about Northern Ocean Habitat home repair program

Before applying for our Home Repair Program, please take a look at some common questions asked regarding our repair work. If you do not find answers to your questions below, please contact the Program Manager by emailing aschratz@northernoceanhabitat.org or calling (732) 818-9500 ext. 102.

What kind of repairs do you do?

We categorize our repair projects into 3 categories: Critical Home Repairs, Housing Plus Aging in Place, and Weatherization.

How do I apply for home repairs?

Call us at (732) 818-9500 or review and download the Preliminary Application. After getting a little bit of information about your repair needs, we can send a full application to complete. You can pick up a repair application at our Construction Office at 1620 Route 37 East, Toms River, NJ 08753. You can mail it to our offices with attention to Homeowner Services.  If you need assistance completing the application, please call the construction office at (732) 818-9500.

How do I qualify for the repair program?

  • The home must be owner-occupied and be the owner’s only residence/property.
  • The homeowner must own and occupy the home for a minimum of two years. 
  • The homeowner must have current homeowner’s insurance. 
  • The home must be located within our territory (Northern Ocean County). 
  • The homeowners must meet the income qualifications.

When do you take applications?

We are always accepting home repair applications. Qualify and apply today!

How do you select which projects to accept?

Projects are approved based on need and available funding.

Do you work in other parts of New Jersey?

No – our affiliate only operates in northern Ocean County (as south as Bayville and north to Point Pleasant). Visit habitat.org to find the Habitat affiliate nearest you.

 

Toms River Township has established a Housing Rehabilitation program to provide home improvement funds to families who own and occupy their one family home. Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Toms River Township to administer the Toms River Rehabilitation Program. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to bring substandard housing up to a decent, safe condition as well as conditions related to the weather tightness of the structure. To qualify for participation in the program, one of the major systems listed below must be in need of replacement or substantial repair. Primary code violations will also be addressed after a determination by the Program Administrator. 

 

This program requires homeowners to agree to a 10-year affordability control through a forgivable loan. All applicants and their households must meet income eligibility. Income eligibility is based on household size and includes all income of all members of the household.

Income Guidelines (Maximum annual income of all members of the home)

72950

1 Person

83400

2 Persons

93800

3 Persons

104200

4 Persons

112550

5 Persons

120900

6 Persons

129250

7 Persons

137550

8 Persons

Loan Description

 

This assistance in the form of a deferred payment loan based on work required for single-family owner occupied homes. The loan is provided in accordance with provisions of Township policy and federal and state regulations. These funds are provided through Community Block Grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The loan program provides that if you continue to reside in your home for ten (10) years after assistance is provided, there will be no payments required during the term of the loan and at the end of the ten (10) year term, the loan will be forgiven and no payment will be required.

 

How to apply:

 

1) Fill out the application linked below.

2) Gather your supporting documents.

3) Call the Program Manager to make an application appointment.

 

Download the full application 

Contact aschratz@northernoceanhabitat.org or 732-818-9500 x 102 with questions.

Start the Application Process

Interested in our home repair program? Here you can learn the criteria for qualification and how to apply to become a Habitat partner.