Every new day offers new opportunities, stronger communities, lots of hope and a sense of a renewed spirit in the new New Cassel. The residents of the New Cassel community are taking more pride in their homes and making strong efforts to establish and maintain what is now an aesthetically beautiful neighborhood, much to the envy of those communities blemished by blight. "Home ownership is an American dream and everybody should be given a chance to own a home at least once in their lifetime" states Kevin Saunders, executive director of the North Hempstead CDA. The availability of affordable housing reminds us of the sometimes elusive American dream.

Renewed pride in the new New Cassel has its roots in the behavior of a community determined to place on their neighborhood a pretty face, representative of neighborhood pride. Through the efforts of Supervisor May Newburger, Legislator Roger Corbin, the offices of HUD, and the North Hempstead Community Development Agency, the community is beginning to unveil a secret. There seems to be a partnership with the aforementioned town officials determined to improve conditions in the North Hempstead communities, particularly in the new New Cassel area. Visible improvements have generated a positive buzz in the North Hempstead community and created a new sense of pride, all good, among residents.

On a recent visit to Sohmer Place, New Cassel, proposed site for a new affordable house, Legislator Corbin in announcing plans remarked, "Affordable housing is an asset to our community, it gives first-time homebuyers a chance to have their dreams of ownership materialize." He continued, "affordable housing definitely meets the needs of the community." As the partnership with HUD strengthens, the North Hempstead CDA revealed immediate plans for three more affordable homes on Sohmer Place, (bet. Roman and Prospect) and one on Grand Street.

Local builder Nisim Ashkenazy, Techcon Contracting Inc. will be responsible for the construction of the aforementioned sites. Joseph Santamaria, assistant director of rehabilitation at the CDA, talks enthusiastically about ownership. He says, "Ownership provides wealth generation, a sense of well-being, community pride which altogether provides community stability - something all families are entitled."

The CDA continues to provide affordably priced homes with the assistance of HOME investment partnership funds provided by HUD. These are three bedroom homes with one and a half bathrooms, economically marketed to assist in making home ownership dreams come true.

All applications are handled by the North Hempstead CDA and processed through a prequalification application, where eligibility is determined. As houses become available pre-qualified applicants are notified and sent a housing application for entry into the housing lottery. Applicants are given several opportunities for the housing lottery. If at first applicants are not selected, then their names are re-entered to a pre-qualified list for an affordable homes lottery in the future. Applicants must be first-time homebuyers, employed, have limited savings, and a worthy credit history. Annual household incomes should not exceed $46,900 for a family of two, and up to $77,400 for a family of eight. After a home purchase subsidy of $31,250, the homes are priced at $113,150. These homes were designed with the purchasers' needs in mind. The location of these homes afford immediate access to the major highways, parks and beaches. Manhattan is only a 20 mile drive. Trains and buses are within walking distance and only 40 minutes to Manhattan. The community park embraces an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a playground with picnic facilities. Food establishments are in abundance while only minutes away from the Broadway Mall, Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall and the Source.

More information is available at the Roslyn Office of the North Hempstead CDA and can be obtained by calling 621-6770 extension 35.

(Note: The writer is a representative for the North Hempstead Community Development Association.)