52.0°,
Mostly Cloudy Five families chosen for affordable Inwood homes
Preventing blight, improving neighborhoods are the goals, town says
When Michelle and Sharif Fordham’s names were called at the Town of Hempstead Affordable Homes Lottery at Rock Hall Museum in Lawrence on Tuesday, they rose and went to the podium with their five children to choose a home that would potentially become theirs.
Five people were given the opportunity to own their first home in Inwood on Walcott and Jeanette avenues or Monroe Street. The 1,715 square foot homes will be sold for $172,000 and feature three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a dining room, kitchen, living room, laundry room, utility room and one-car garage.
More than 200 affordable homes have been built over the last 20 years as part of the Town of Hempstead Affordable Homes Lottery. “We’re trying to improve neighborhoods and prevent blight,” said Supervisor Kate Murray. “There has not been one foreclosure on any of our affordable homes.”
The Fordhams have been living in Inwood for one year and are looking forward to remaining in their community. “It feels like family there,” Sharif said. “Our children have been playing with the Inwood Buccaneers for six years; we have a cheerleader and a football player.”
Michelle said her family was fortunate enough to have heard about the housing lottery. “We were lucky that we heard word [about it],” she said. “We’ve been trying to buy a house for years now. We’re super excited and I can’t wait to have a yard to watch my kids play outside.”
Patricia Smith, a 23-year Inwood resident, was called second and will be moving into a home on Walcott Avenue with her three children. “I’m excited,” she said. “[I enjoy being in Inwood] because of the school district; it’s great. I thank God for this American dream.”
Building is expected to get underway next month and be completed between December of this year and next March, Murray said. Homeowners must also agree not to sell the homes for the next 10 years. “We’re making the dream of home ownership come true,” she said.
Lawrence resident Kimberly McHale, Lawrence High School class of 1995, is looking forward to returning to her hometown of Inwood as her name was chosen third in the housing lottery. “I’m used to it,” she said of Inwood. “I want to raise my five children there. I’m excited and nervous but I’m looking forward to having a yard and something to call ours.”
