L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

Shalana Smith and her three children had been living in Malverne, caring for her father and working full time when she started looking to buy a house in Freeport. She dreamed of having a home of her own to raise her children. “I just love the schools here [in Freeport],” she said. “I knew I wanted to live here, but had to figure out how I would make that happen.”

Meanwhile, the economy took a turn for the worse, sending the country into a deep recession; hundreds of Nassau County families found themselves in  foreclosure. Yet, Ms. Smith hung onto her dream. 

And now, thanks to a new program between the  Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) and the Nassau County Office of Community Development, first-time home buyers, like the Smith family, can realize the “American Dream” in a program that provides down payment assistance for eligible families. 

Under provisions of a federally funded program, the county has set aside HOME Investment Partnership Funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Nassau County will provide eligible first-time homebuyers with up to $20,000 towards down payment/closing costs towards the purchase of a single family home or condo/coop worth no more than $394,250. 

The applicant must provide a down payment of $3,000 and be able to satisfy the mortgage lender’s minimum down payment requirements and be able to secure a mortgage. Homeowners are required to reside in the home for a minimum of 10 years.

Joseph Sanseverino, assistant vice-president of LIHP, told The Leader that an important part of the program includes a first-time home buyers counseling session. “We go over budget and what this family can afford. We also take a look at an individual's credit [rating] to help them determine what they can get,” he said. “We also have relationships with some banks that provide special first-time mortgages and we act as a liaison between the bank and the applicant, if they want us to.”

The program is countywide and “the  homes bought are selected by the purchaser,” explained Kevin Crean, technical director for the county’s Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs. Those interested in the program should contact the Nassau County Office of Community Development or visit the agency’s website at www.nassaucountyny.gove/communitydevelopment

The HOME program, now beginning its second year has made home purchase possible for a record number of families. “This year 72 families were helped with a down payment,” said County Executive Edward Mangano. “There are few things more gratifying in life than owning your first home. Everyday it becomes more difficult for families and seniors to make ends meet in Nassau county. Government and the private sector need to make purchasing a home easier and more attainable for first-time buyers.”

For the Smith family, life in Freeport couldn’t be better. They moved into their three-bedroom house on Cedar Street in July. Ms. Smith said her oldest, a 15-year-old who is attending Freeport High School, has her own room. The second bedroom is shared by Sianna, a fourth-grade student at New Visions, and brother Malachi, a kindergartner.

And Shalana Smith made her dream come true. “Mommy has her own bedroom,” whispered Malachi. “She really likes it!”