MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A class of students at a Morris County high school have finally finished an unconventional class project—building a house.
Roxbury High School partnered with Morris Habitat for Humanity to construct a new 3-bedroom, single-family home in Roxbury for a family in need. The project's completion will be marked by a home dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.
The modular home was built by 35 students from Roxbury High School's Structural Design and Fabrication class. The construction of a home on the school campus for a local family is the first of its kind in New Jersey, according to officials.
The house was built in collaboration with Morris Habitat for Humanity, a local chapter of the international nonprofit organization that builds homes for low-income families with the help of volunteers and donated materials.
The ranch-style home at 501 Edith Road in Roxbury's Landing neighborhood has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a basement, a one-car garage, and a large yard.
The land was donated by the Township, along with a $20,000 donation from their Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The project officially kicked off back in Oct. 2020, as part of the celebration of World Habitat Day. The home was built in the parking lot behind the high school by teacher Frank Caccavale and his students over the course of two school years. The two modules were delivered to the site by a flatbed truck in May and secured to the foundation.
The house is being given to Samuel Tadesse and Senait Tesfaye, two Ethiopian immigrants who have never been able to afford a home despite working full-time. Senait works at Matheny Medical and Educational Center, while Samuel works in transportation. They will live in the new house with their three children, ages 10, 7, and 3.
Senait and Samuel have been working side by side with volunteers on the home's finishing touches as part of their "sweat equity" investment. The family is currently living in small a two-bedroom apartment in East Orange.
Morris Habitat for Humanity is a member of a global, nonprofit housing organization dedicated to the construction of homes, communities and hope.
The organization builds affordable new homes and provides home repair services to low-income families using volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. Morris Habitat for Humanity has served over 780 families since 1985 by constructing 172 local homes, preserving 325 homes for low-income and senior residents, and assisting 282 families worldwide with housing solutions.
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