Habitat for Humanity held a ground breaking ceremony recently for a new house to be built on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Bond St. in New Cassel. And by this time next year, Pam Douglas and her children should be settled into their brand new home.

The Douglas family along with Habitat's vice president and board members, and a host of local officials and community members were on hand for the ceremony marking the kickoff for the house's construction on the morning of July 17. For Douglas, the ceremony was exciting, emotional, and it marked the moment when it finally sunk in that she would soon be a homeowner.

"I never thought I'd be able to afford a home in New York," said Douglas, adding that she has never wanted to leave her hometown where her parents live. Yet while home ownership never seemed like an affordable possibility, paying rent in New York is expensive as well, she said.

So Douglas is thrilled with the opportunity to have her own home and a place to raise her two children, one of whom is disabled. She is particularly happy that Habitat has agreed to build a handicapped accessible house to accommodate her daughter's needs.

Habitat for Humanity, founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976, is a non-profit ecumenical ministry aimed at building affordable housing for low-income, working families. Habitat started in Georgia but now has affiliates in 50 states and 75 countries. While Habitat homeowners are asked to invest 300 hours into building houses for themselves and others, houses are built using a team of volunteers. Building professionals are also used either on a volunteer or for-hire basis to ensure that building codes are met.

Together with a crew of volunteers, the Douglases will be building the two-story, three bedroom house from scratch. Kay McKiernan, president of Habitat for Humanity in Nassau County, said it generally takes eight months to complete construction since they only use volunteers who work no more than two days a week. The Douglas' home will be the fourth Habitat for Humanity built in Nassau County with one in Glen Cove, one in Hempstead and another currently in construction on Garden St. in New Cassel.

People who are eligible for the program buy the homes from Habitat for Humanity for whatever it costs to build it, including the price of land. While the Douglas family does not have to pay a down payment, they will maintain a no-interest mortgage on the $70,000 home. As with all Habitat homeowners, the payments Douglas makes go toward the "Fund for Humanity," which contributes to the building of additional houses.

McKiernan said the families are thrilled to have the opportunity to own homes. She recalled a comment made by a member of the Banks family who will be buying the Garden St. house in New Cassel. "He looked at me and said 'You know, Kay, this is a miracle,'" said McKiernan.

But while there may be many families who would like a similar opportunity, McKiernan said finding land to build on in Nassau County is difficult. She added, however, that she is optimistic especially since the Town of North Hempstead has been so cooperative.

"The town has been fantastic. They have worked so well with us," she said.

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who was at the ground breaking ceremony, said, "I am happy to welcome the Douglas family to New Cassel. Everyone in Long Island should have a decent home in which to live. It's taken great community partnership to make the dream of home ownership a reality. I commend all of the local civic and business leaders, as well as all the volunteers, for their dedication and selfless support."

In an effort to ensure that there are affordable housing opportunities for area residents, McCarthy is participating in The Houses that Congress Built, a national public-private effort to build decent, affordable homes for low-income families across the country.

She added, "Our Long Island communities are strengthened when we join together as neighbors to assist those who need our help. Decent and affordable housing for everyone on Long Island is one of my highest priorities in Congress."

Others in attendance at the ceremony in New Cassel included, County Legislator Roger Corbin, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger along with the town council, Kevin Saunders, director of the Community Development Agency, a representative from County Executive Thomas Gulotta's office, and local residents and community leaders.