Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County to assist with their “Brush with Kindness” project, where the group helps Bergen County residents with exterior home projects. They assisted Irene Ade, a 90 year old Washington Township senior, with landscaping and exterior repairs.

Gottheimer teamed up with a crew of North Jersey volunteers — the self-styled “Greyheads” — a group of retirees who have been volunteering with the organization since its inception in 1994. They pull weeds, blow leaves, and tend to other plants on Ade’s property.

“For decades, our seniors took care of us and it is now our responsibility to take care of them. That means lowering our taxes, so that seniors, like Irene, who has lived in this home for more than 70 years, can afford to stay in North Jersey. That means standing up against attacks on Social Security, Medicare, and the VA, so that seniors can depend on programs they’ve paid into their whole lives,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I appreciate all the work Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County’s volunteers do for New Jersey’s seniors. I’m honored to work with them today and to fight in Congress for our seniors, so they can save their hard-earned money and make North Jersey more affordable.”

“We were happy to help Irene with the exterior work on her house through our Brush with Kindness program and we were thrilled that Congressman Gottheimer took the time to come by and help our volunteers and highlight the need for safe, decent, affordable housing here in Bergen County,” said Jacey Raimondo, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County.

“The Habitat for Humanity volunteers have been a god-send for my mother in making sure she can stay here in Bergen County. I am extremely thankful for their work here on her house and I appreciate Congressman Gottheimer helping the volunteers today,” said Kathleen Hagan, Ade’s daughter.

Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County began in 1994 with the goal of providing decent, affordable housing to residents of Bergen County. Since their founding, they have built and/or renovated 47 homes in Bergen County and have partnered with other not-for-profits building food pantries, community gardens, renovating senior affordable housing, and cleaning community parks. The Brush with Kindness program offers home repair services to homeowners so they can continue to live in safe, decent homes. Some of their home repair work includes painting, landscaping, weatherization, and minor repair services to preserve home exteriors and revitalize neighborhoods.

In May, Gottheimer announced his Three-Part Senior Security Strategy to cut Social Security taxes on seniors and eliminate double taxation, stop the government from withholding seniors’ Social Security benefits if they are behind on debt payments, and doing all we can to combat the latest Medicare scams. More details on Rep. Gottheimer’s Three-Part Senior Security Strategy can be found HERE.

Gottheimer also helped pass HR 2255, the HOME Act, bipartisan legislation which makes it more affordable for Habitat for Humanity to get seniors housed. The bill ensures that Habitat for Humanity and related organizations can receive donated appraisals on the homes they build, allowing Habitat to carry out its mission.