45°
"This house is a dream come true for our family," the couple said. "We are excited to have our children be in a good school system and for them to be able to come home and study in their own bedrooms."
Carlos has been in the manufacturing industry for 21 years and Geovana is a substitute teacher. They currently live in a one-bedroom apartment in Elmwood Park.
The Pimentels were selected from over 75 applicants, in a yearlong process. The selection process hinges on three areas -- ability to repay a mortgage; the need for safe, decent shelter; and a willingness to work alongside volunteers to build the home.
"A decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, success and health that may have been part of a family's life for years," a news release noted. Habitat Bergen volunteers will help the Pimentels build a house that will be financially affordable and large enough to accommodate the family's size.
As future Habitat homeowners, Carlos and Geovana will spend 400 hours helping build the home alongside volunteers, and also take financial education and home maintenance classes. When the home's complete, Habitat Bergen will provide the family with an interest-free mortgage.
Construction is already underway on the Pimentels home in Bergenfield, and Carlos and Geovana can already be found volunteering on the worksite on Saturdays.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Pimentel family, working side by side with them to build the house that has become a dream come true for them," said Julia Orlando, Habitat Bergen board member and Family Selection Committee chair.
For more information about Habitat Bergen, visit its website or call 201-457-1020.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bergenfield and receive free news updates.
