HABcore started in the late 1980s. After several LunchBreak (a nonprofit organization that freely provides food, clothing, life skills and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond) volunteers found that many people they were feeding did not have substantial housing, they sought to begin a new organization to offer affordable housing in the Greater Red Bank region. Unfortunately, before the organization could launch, three homeless men froze to death on the streets of Red Bank. The “HAB” in HABcore was derived from the initials of those three men.

HABcore is led by Executive Director, Steve Heisman.

HABcore’s Strengthening Families Program provides supportive services to formerly homeless families. The goals for the families are to maintain a stable home, strengthen the family, enable them to become healthier, improve children’s chances for success and strengthen their financial position.

Families in HABcore’s Strengthening Families program partner with trusted case managers who assist them with individualized support to plan and set goals focused on financial literacy, employment, health and wellness, academic success and healthy relationships.

The families that take part in the Strengthening Families Program drive their long-range goals with self-sufficiency in mind. The family identifies the changes they would like to make and what they need to reach their highest potential as a unit. The Case Manager focuses on an all-encompassing assessment strategy which includes strengths, barriers and goals in multiple areas such as housing, increasing skills, income, dynamics, health, social and recreational opportunities.

During the 2020–2021 grant year, the 37 families participating in HABcore’s Strengthening Families program achieved:

• 95% housing retention rate (HABcore is still working to obtain housing for 2 families in this program, due to the post-pandemic elevated real estate market)
• 95% of families mastered financial literacy skills
• 95% of households obtained or maintained employment

The overall impact goals for the program are families remaining stably housed, paying down their debt or increasing savings, maintaining or increasing their income, children in families improving or maintaining school performance and families improving their overall health.

In an effort to achieve greater diversity and equity, HABcore seeks out potential candidates to serve as Trustees and Advisory Board Members who represent the communities HABcore serves. This diversity includes race, ethnicity, religion, income-level, and people who have experienced homelessness.

HABcore Trustees and Advisors actively engage in civic, faith-based, and nonprofit activities which reach a broad spectrum of populations.