Program fosters job creation, promotes community stability while helping residents achieve the “American Dream”
Westbury, NY – June 13, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today that a once foreclosed, termite-infested property in Westbury is being completely rehabilitated to become a brand new energy-efficient home. This is a joint effort with Nassau County, Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization & the United Way of Long Island. Rehabilitation of this property is possible due to nearly $400,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds obtained by Nassau County from the Federal and State governments. The home will be rehabilitated by certified professionals, working alongside student trainees from the United Way’s YouthBuild initiative.
“Nassau County has been severely impacted by the home foreclosure crisis and downturn in the economy. Here in Nassau County, we are using Federal funds to employ workers, train students, improve communities and establish long-term economic growth,” said County Executive Mangano.“This project replaces a blighted property in the community while making the dream of homeownership come true for whoever moves into this home. It’s a win-win for the residents of Nassau County.”
Located at 28 Arlington Street in Westbury, the home will now be the most energy-efficient house on the street, with Eco-friendly upgrades including a heating recovery system, a state-of-the-art wall hung boiler, and dense pack cellulose insulation. These and other high-efficiency upgrades will warrant this home be given the prestigious LEED for Homes *Gold Certification.
“The YouthBuild home rehabilitation projects in Westbury are more examples of United Way’s efforts in Green workforce development, where our YouthBuild Long Island students work side-by-side with local industry professionals to learn the next generation of building science and Green techniques,” said Rick Wertheim, Senior Vice President of Housing and Green Development at United Way of Long Island. “Our goal is to help create a green workforce on Long Island, and hands-on projects like these are excellent tools in doing so.”
The NSP enables Nassau County to work with not-for-profit and for-profit partners to purchase foreclosed homes in areas hardest hit by foreclosure. This home and every home in the program is available to any family in Nassau County earning up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). The AMI for Nassau County is $103,600 based on 2010 Housing and Urban Development’slimits. The sales price will be set as the total development cost or appraised value, whichever is less, keeping the price down. Furthermore, NSP and New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) subsidies will be applied to make the home even more affordable.
The YouthBuild Long Island program is a free youth and community-development program, and alternative school, for students in low-income communities. The YouthBuild program components include Housing, Education, Job Readiness/Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training, Career Development, Leadership Development, Counseling and Graduate Services. A strong focus is placed on Green job opportunities in Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Weatherization, Energy Star construction, and Home Performance.
Residents can learn more about the program by visiting the county’s website, http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OCD/index.php. In the near future, the County will have an application available on that site to purchase the homes available through this project.
