Habitat home will offer 'a stable foundation for us to grow and prosper,' LI mom says

A team of Habitat for Humanity of Long Island volunteers was hard at work Wednesday morning raising the first wall of a new home for a family of three in Huntington Station.

As the crew hammered nails into the wall, Tiffany, Stephanie and Chloe joined in and beamed with excitement at what will be their future four-bedroom, two-bath house on East 8th Street.

“This will definitely provide a stable foundation for us to grow and prosper,” said Tiffany, the head of the household whose mother Stephanie and daughter Chloe, 9, will live with her. The family was approved for the home after a rigorous process. “We are so appreciative of everyone here today helping us," Tiffany said. She works in the health care field, Habitat officials said.

The family declined to give their full names and their current residence.

Habitat for Humanity of Long Island Inc. is an affiliate of the Atlanta-based Habitat for Humanity International. The group works to empower lower-income families to achieve their homeownership dreams through its affordable homeownership program. 

Lee Silberman, CEO of Middle Island-based Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, said the income parameters of the program opens homeownership opportunities for a segment of the population that is often overlooked because their average median income is about $60,000.

“We are the only organization that is offering homeownership to your home health aides, your school bus drivers, your classroom aides,” said Silberman, who along with other Habitat officials, politicians and other volunteers gathered on East 8th Street.    

The property for the home was donated by The Pius Family Foundation, Silberman said. He said despite numerous donations and volunteers, the cost to build a house within the program in Suffolk County is between $280,000 and $300,000. 

Silberman dispelled the myth that Habitat homes are free.

“Habitat is a hand up, it is not a handout,” he said. “This house, when it’s complete, will be sold to our new homeowners at full appraised value.”

The family must fulfill 300 hours of “sweat equity,” helping to build their house and other homes in the program. They also will complete financial preparation classes and volunteer for community service. The homeowner will sign a 30-year mortgage with 2% interest, with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island holding a second mortgage.

Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth said the program is a great example of how to create affordable homeownership.

“Habitat for Humanity has an excellent business model on how they achieve homeownership in an affordable way for residents in our community,” Smyth said.