Mangano Announces Housing Lottery For Returning Veterans

Building Hicksville Home for One of Our Nation’s Heroes

Building on his recent success of creating new affordable homes for veterans in Mitchel Field, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today invited veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to enter a lottery to win a brand-new house built by Homes for Homecoming Heroes, Inc. on a site in Hicksville that was donated by Nassau County. Homes for Homecoming Heroes, a not-for-profit corporation, will select a qualified veteran who is in need of housing and construct a residence on the property to suit the specific needs of the selected veteran. The veteran will then be able to purchase the new home at the cost of construction.

County Executive Mangano stated, “My administration is determined to provide affordable housing for our nation’s heroes and their families’ right here in Nassau County. I am thrilled that Nassau County was able to partner with Homes for Homecoming Heroes to provide a veteran with this wonderful opportunity to own a home in Nassau.”

In 2011, the Nassau County Legislature approved County Executive Mangano’s plans for the sale of a vacant County-owned property in Hicksville to Homes for Homecoming Heroes - a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to build affordable housing for veterans returning home from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Homes For Our Homecoming Heroes, Inc. coordinates the construction of homes by volunteer BOCES students, building professionals and volunteer organizations. With voluntary labor and the donation of materials, the estimated cost to build a 1,500 square foot home with an attached garage is approximately $150,000. Construction is expected to begin in October.

Veterans must have served in Iraq or Afghanistan within the last 12 years, earn a minimum of $47,000 annually in total family yearly income and qualify for a mortgage. A 1% down payment will be required, with the principal repaid over a 30 year period. For more information or to receive an application, please contact Larry Sklar at Homes for Homecoming Heroes at (646) 641-8460 or write to Homes for Homecoming Heroes, P.O. Box 20, Jericho, NY 11753.