Truly, if it wasn't for HABcore, my babies still wouldn't be with me. It is because of this program that we are all together under one roof, and that is what I am thankful for the most. I cannot thank y'all enough.
– Jasmine, mother of three
Mission
HABcore provides safe, affordable housing and supportive services to vulnerable families, veterans, and individuals with special needs. We provide assistance to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness enabling them to move from crisis to stability, empowering them to achieve greater independence and improve their quality of life.
Currently, HABcore provides a safe and stable home and supportive housing services to approximately 800 families, veterans, and individuals with special needs including 147 children. According to the most recent Point-in-Time Count, there were over 13,748 homeless persons in New Jersey and 1,274 in Monmouth and Ocean Counties combined.
For nearly 38 years, HABcore has been at the forefront of combating homelessness, responding to the growing needs of the most vulnerable members of our community. As we continue to expand our reach, our mission remains steadfast: to restore dignity, stability and hope to those who need it most.
History
In the late 1980’s, several LunchBreak (a charitable organization dedicated to feeding the hungry in the greater Red Bank, NJ area) volunteers conducted a survey and found that a large percentage of the people they were feeding were living in substandard housing. These volunteers initiated a new organization whose purpose was to provide affordable housing in the same geographic area. Unfortunately, before the new agency was able to launch, three homeless men froze to death on the streets of Red Bank. The "HAB" in HABcore was derived from the initials of these three men.
When HABcore started in 1988, we had just one home in Red Bank, which housed five people. In 1992, HABcore implemented an independent living apartment program which allowed us to meet the needs of individuals and families who are able to live alone.
These developments are among our more important accomplishments, as we remain committed to expansion, whenever prudent, to help meet the direct need for affordable, supportive housing. Every resident in the HABcore program is encouraged to work, volunteer or attend a program to address their needs. The goal for all residents is to provide a safe place to call home where they can reach their highest potential.
Homelessness is an ongoing issue in our community. Every day HABcore staff, trustees and volunteers work to restore stability, dignity and hope to the less fortunate, seeking to break the cycle of homelessness for future generations.
We currently operate two large homes in Red Bank and in Asbury Park with 51 residents. Many residents “graduate” to independent, supportive apartments.
The Independence Pathways Program has different components:
- Properties we own in Red Bank, Keansburg, Eatontown and Beachwood.
- Properties we lease through a HUD-funded program scattered throughout Monmouth County.
- Properties we lease through a HUD-funded program in Ocean County.
- A Rapid Re-Housing program in Ocean County, which provides assistance to homeless families for up to two years, designed to promote independence after that time.
- A 25-unit building on the former Fort Monmouth military base.
HABcore has extensive experience in providing permanent supportive housing to low-income individuals and families. Central to our philosophy is the recognition that we must help our clients attack the root causes of their poverty. As our population has evolved to one where we serve many people with disabilities, we have expanded support services to accommodate their needs and to foster self-sufficiency. The primary goal of our programs is to furnish our residents with the tools to reach their highest level of independent living.
HABcore believes in specific, measurable outcomes. It is a priority for HABcore to ensure we are making an impact in our residents’ lives by providing supportive services through our team of supportive housing coordinators and licensed social workers. Our residents can achieve success when resources are made available through these supportive services.