July 3, 2012
Around Town by Neal Tepel
Equipped with hardhats and hammers, Department inspectors, engineers and administrative assistants volunteered their time and worked alongside Habitat for Humanity-NYC construction leaders to help build new units for eight first-time homeowners at 836 Jefferson Avenue. Once completed, the four-story building will consist of eight one- and two-bedroom units, and construction is expected to be completed this year. The event marked the third consecutive year the Department participated with Habitat for Humanity-NYC.
“This Department regulates the construction of new homes throughout the City, and today is another way for us to help New Yorkers achieve their American Dream,” said Commissioner LiMandri. “In recent years, this Department has made great strides to work with communities in every borough, and I am thrilled to be working side-by-side our employees in order to make homeownership possible for eight more families. I would like to thank all of my staff members for volunteering their time and Habitat for Humanity-NYC for making this event possible.”
The Jefferson Avenue project is part of a new Habitat for Humanity-NYC initiative called 100 Homes in Brooklyn. Launched earlier this year, this project aims to build and renovate 100 affordable co-ops and condominiums in Bedford-Stuyvesant and other low-income neighborhoods in the central part of Brooklyn by 2013. For each project, builders will use non-toxic, sustainable construction materials and units will be equipped with energy-efficient appliances, as well as high-efficiency boilers to help homeowners save on their monthly utility bills.
Habitat for Humanity-NYC is a non-profit organization that builds affordable, energy-efficient homes for first-time homeowners in need.
