Habitat gives family keys to new Shirley home
After a year-long build, Habitat for Humanity of Long Island gave the keys for a new house in Shirley to a family with special needs.
The house on Arrowhead Drive will be owned by Jessica, Zach and their two-year-old twin daughters.
In May 2018, Zach suffered a debilitating stroke that left him unable to work and drive. He and his wife had been living in a small two-bedroom apartment with their children and two cats and the new Habitat home was customized to meet Zach’s needs and his family.
“Owning our home would mean the world to us,” Jessica said. “A place my family can call their own means security and growth. This house has been designed to meet Zach’s needs so that he can safely move around. The twins will also have more room to grow, not only in the house but in the backyard as well. This home is where we will make many happy memories with our family and friends for years to come and thankfully Habitat worked with us to find a location that was close to them. Being able to help build our own home has been such a unique opportunity that most people don’t get to do.”
The affordable home was funded by local businesses and its walls were raised through Habitat Long Islandʻs CEO/Blitz Build program.
Lee Silberman, Habitat for Humanity of Long Island CEO and executive director thanked house sponsor Bank of America, along with the businesses and organizations that contributed to the Shirley build, including Brookhaven National Lab, Dime Community Bank, Eagle Business Solutions, Fairfield Properties, H2M architects + engineers, HealthCare Partners, JP Morgan Chase, PSEG Long Island, Riverhead Building Supply, Roanoke Sand & Gravel, Teachers Federal Credit Union and Zebra Technologies.
“Stable housing strengthens our communities and is critical for financial stability and economic opportunity,” Marc Perez, president of Bank of America Long Island, said. “Bank of America’s support for Habitat for Humanity has long been core to our mission to drive social and economic mobility on Long Island.”
