LI Family Begins Construction On New Habitat For Humanity Home

EAST PATCHOGUE, NY — A Long Island woman and her four children celebrate the construction of their new home in East Patchogue last month, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.

The non-profit hosted a ceremonial wall raise on April 27 at the Donegan Avenue home for Allyson Bowden and her kids.

"From the bottom of our hearts, my family and I truly thank everyone involved in this wonderful program that puts a safe and sound roof over our heads. I can’t wait to see the smiles on my kids’ faces when we move in, make a huge breakfast and eat together for our first morning in our beautiful home," Bowden said. "Without Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk and the other supporting organizations, none of this would be possible and I am eternally grateful."

As part of Habitat Suffolk’s Home Ownership program, Bowden will complete 300 hours of volunteer time building her future home and homes for other future Habitat families.

In addition, she will perform community service and learn about financial preparation and home maintenance.

"In our mission to strengthen communities and combat the affordable housing crisis, today we took another step toward achieving this goal by starting construction on the Bowden home," Lee Silberman, CEO and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, said. "We are happy for the opportunity to provide a home for a well-deserving family and Allyson and her children are just that."

The Island Outreach Foundation will be sponsoring the new home. Members of the Patchogue Rotary Club as well as Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine, and Suffolk County Landbank Project Manager Matthew Kapell attended the special event.

Construction on the new home is expected to be completed in the late summer and will be celebrated with a dedication ceremony.