A wall-raising today in Bellport marked the start of what will be the fourth all-women's built home supervised by Habitat of Humanity of Suffolk County.
The recipient of the home will be Claudia Hunt, who lives in substandard conditions in East Patchogue with her son, Jayron, 4, say Habitat-Suffolk officials. Hunt, whose parents live blocks away from the Habitat project on McDonald Avenue, is an office supervisor for a car auction firm. She will be required to put in hours of sweat equity -- meaning labor on the home -- before she is granted an interest-free mortgage for the residence.
According to Les Scheinfeld, associate director for Habitat-Suffolk, Hunt has hoped for a home in the same area where she grew up for the longest time. "We're happy to be part of making her dream come true,” he said.
Aura Levitas, a retired Broadway dancer, is the project's sponsor. It's the third time Levitas, who was instrumental in beginning the women’s build program on Long Island, has sponsored a Habitat home.
-- GARY DYMSKI