Brokers, Habitat Join to Build LEED-Certified Multifamily Units
Brokers Build, an organization compiled of New York City real estate brokers, has joined with Habitat for Humanity's New York chapter to raise $1 million to build 11 condos in Brooklyn.
Brokers Build, an organization compiled of New York City real estate brokers, has joined with Habitat for Humanity's New York chapter to raise $1 million to build 11 condos in Brooklyn.
The homes will be part of a three-building development, making this project the chapter's largest to date. The teams also hope that the units will achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
"As real estate brokers in New York City profiting from an unprecedented luxury condominium boom, our goal is to create an affordable housing boom as homeownership is the cornerstone to participating in the American Dream," says Stan Ponte, chairman of Brokers Build and president of Coldwell Banker Previews International.
"Families are required to supply 'sweat equity' by participating in the building of their own home, which eliminates the down payment hurdle and allows hardworking families to become home owners for the first time," he adds.
The project will be located on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and will include one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums. The complex, designed by Dattner Architects, broke ground on Wed., June 5, and volunteers will begin to contribute in the fall. The project team hopes that the development will allow homeowners to save up to 30 percent on their energy bills and raise their families in healthy homes.
According to Josh Lockwood, acting executive director of Habitat’s New York chapter, the project doubles the number of homes that the organization typically builds in one year. "With New York’s homeownership rate at only 36.6 percent, these units will offer families living in substandard or overcrowded housing a chance to own an affordable home," he adds.
The homes will be part of a three-building development, making this project the chapter's largest to date. The teams also hope that the units will achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
"As real estate brokers in New York City profiting from an unprecedented luxury condominium boom, our goal is to create an affordable housing boom as homeownership is the cornerstone to participating in the American Dream," says Stan Ponte, chairman of Brokers Build and president of Coldwell Banker Previews International.
"Families are required to supply 'sweat equity' by participating in the building of their own home, which eliminates the down payment hurdle and allows hardworking families to become home owners for the first time," he adds.
The project will be located on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and will include one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums. The complex, designed by Dattner Architects, broke ground on Wed., June 5, and volunteers will begin to contribute in the fall. The project team hopes that the development will allow homeowners to save up to 30 percent on their energy bills and raise their families in healthy homes.
According to Josh Lockwood, acting executive director of Habitat’s New York chapter, the project doubles the number of homes that the organization typically builds in one year. "With New York’s homeownership rate at only 36.6 percent, these units will offer families living in substandard or overcrowded housing a chance to own an affordable home," he adds.
