Here’s a little update on the house in Bergenfield NJ which will be featured this July in a special 2 hour Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
The family has received a charitable gift of $150,000 from the Pinnacle Foundation to cover the increased costs of property taxes for five years, assist with mortgage payments, and to fund the education of their children. Pinnacle Companies built the new house, which is a showpiece of technology that enables people with disabilities to lead comfortable lives. The technology goes beyond mere adaptations and accessibility, it has applications for everyone. The house shows that when a home is designed properly and fitted with these technological solutions, everyone benefits.
Property taxes are a huge concern in New Jersey, and Bergenfield has seen some large increases in assessments. Many people in the vicinity of the Pinnacle house have seen their property taxes double, even with no improvements. The town is in the process of reevaluating the reevaluation they did two years ago. A large scale high end renovation like this would have meant an enormous burden on the family in property taxes and insurance. Fortunately, they are able to enjoy living in a home which showcases benefits for everyone. They were selected from thousands of applicants.
The family is affected by hereditary blindness, one child is deaf, and another member is recovering from thyroid cancer. Their previous home was filled with obstacles in design, and did not block out noise from the street so that a blind person could use listening to compensate for lost vision. Their new home has a much more accessible design, and technology which makes everyday living much easier. Pinnacle is continuing to raise money to assist them.
The house model is Pinnacle’s “Z” home, because according to Brian Stolar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Companies, “it takes technology as far as it can go”. The foundation along with other sponsors has also provided children’s reading rooms in local libraries, built senior centers, and worked with a DARE program to improve sports facilities.
I think this is great when builders give back to the communities they build in. Pinnacle’s charitable projects show a well placed and well planned sense of community involvement and ongoing benefits for all.