Community Corner
Habitat for Humanity-NYC Launches Hart-Lafayette Homes
Sixteen deserving, low income Bed-Stuy families are now homeowners through the project
Sixteen deserving, low income Bed-Stuy families have been rewarded with their very own homes.
With Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and celebrities including filmmaker Spike Lee and actress Susan Sarandon in attendance at a special ceremony on Sunday afternoon, the families received symbolic keys to their new affordable condominiums under Habitat for Humanity-New York City.
"Today is the most special day of our year at Habitat-NYC, as we salute the incredible, hard-working families who will become homebuyers as a result of our partnership together," said Josh Lockwood, Habitat-NYC Executive Director. "It is a time when we reflect on the journey we have taken together, a journey of friendship, sacrifice, challenges and joys."
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With construction beginning in the summer of 2009, Habitat-NYC's $6.8 million Hart-Lafayette Project includes two adjacent buildings at 512 and 514 Lafayette Ave., and single buildings at 544 Lafayette Ave. and 118 Hart St. The 16 units are a mix of two and three-bedroom condominiums.
More than 2,500 volunteers worked on the project, including Lee and Sarandon.
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"Our dream for you is to become a leader in your community, to 'pay forward' the opportunities you have had, and to work to make this a better neighborhood and city for all," said Peter Knitzer, Habitat-NYC Board Chair, as he spoke to the new homeowners.
The properties are designed to be green buildings, enabling homeowners to save an estimated thirty percent or more on their utility bills. The properties feature high-efficiency boilers, water-saver toilets and faucets, and landscaped back yards.
"This new home means security for my family," said Nicole Barrett, a New York City bus driver and single mother of three selected to be one of the homeowner recipients.
Cash purchase prices for the homes started at $125,000 and averaged $183,210. Hart-Lafayette families can only earn between 50 to 80 percent of the city's area median income.
In addition, every adult family member must contribute 300 hours of "sweat equity" to help build their homes and assume an affordable mortgage, paying no more than one-third of their gross income on monthly housing expenses.
