New Housing and Hopes in Riverside

Pictured Above: At the Feb. 10 wall raising. | Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk photo

Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk and the Southampton Housing Authority held the first wall raising in Riverside Feb. 10, for a home for the family of a mother of three, Sahlise Cherry, who works for the non-profit East End Disability Associates.

The build, on Old Quogue Road, is the first of five houses in Riverside being built through a partnership between Habitat and the town Housing Authority. A substandard home that had been on the site was demolished in late 2021.

At the start of each Habitat house-raising, volunteers, sponsors and the new homeowner gather for a symbolic raising of the first wall of the house. 

Ms. Cherry, who currently lives with her children and grandchild in a small basement apartment, will contribute 300 hours of sweat equity into the construction of her home and other Habitat homes, with the guidance of Habitat staff and volunteers from Riverhead Building Supply, which is serving as the full sponsor of this construction project.

Homeowners also receive financial preparation classes and will sign a 30-year mortgage at two percent interest, with Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk holding a second mortgage on the homes.  

 Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is an independently operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, which has been building 5 to 8 houses annually since 1988.

For more information on donating, volunteering or applying for a local Habitat home, visit habitatliny.org.