Groundbreaking Signals New Chance For Family's Forever Riverside Home

RIVERSIDE, NY — It was a forever valentine Monday to the family who will be chosen to fulfill their dream of a forever home on Long Island: Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, in partnership with Southampton Town, hosted a ceremonial wall-raising in Riverside.

The town's housing authority has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build multiple single-family homes in Riverside. Two houses have already been built and allocated to two hardworking families and an additional four more parcels are available. Habitat Long Island has two houses on Vail Avenue under construction, while two additional parcels are in development, awaiting building permits.

The new home under construction, located at 116 Vail Avenue, will be occupied by a family chosen from among those completing Habitat Long Island’s Homeownership Program application, which is available for download in English and Spanish on Habitat Long Island’s website here.

Applications are being accepted until Feb. 28.

Through the Habitat for Humanity's Homeownership Program, the future homeowners will fulfill 300 hours of “sweat equity,” helping to build their future homes and houses for others in the program. In addition, they will go through financial preparation classes and volunteer for community service. Each homeowner will sign a 30-year mortgage with 2 percent interest, with Habitat covering a second mortgage, officials said.

Habitat and the town "are working together, actively building to make positive impact on the Riverside community," officials said.