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Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, City of Malden Dedicate Two New Homes

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Advocate Staff Report

  MALDEN – On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston alongside Mayor Gary Christenson and the Malden Strategic Planning & Community Development Office held the first Habitat home dedication ceremony in three years at the latest build site located at 1000 Main St. Surrounded by family, neighbors, and supporters, new homeowners Elmostafa and Laila moved with their children into one of the newly completed single family homes, while Cynthia and her children moved into the other.

  The two families and their new homes were showered in gifts and blessings.

  Attendees were also invited to tour a current Habitat Greater Boston project next door where five townhomes are under construction. After receiving triple the number of qualified applicants per unit, Habitat is thrilled to be welcoming five new partner families into their homeownership program very soon.

  “We are so happy to welcome these two families to our diverse, vibrant neighborhood in Malden,” said Mayor Christenson. “Habitat Greater Boston knows what it means to integrate and engage with the communities where they build – it’s been a pleasure having them in Malden, and we can’t wait for the next project!”

  The dedication ceremony featured a brief speaking program, blessings of both homes, and refreshments. Habitat Greater Boston volunteers, funders, and Malden project supporters were in attendance. Public officials who attended the event included State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representatives Paul Donato and Kate Lipper-Garabedian, City Councillors Craig Spadafora, Steve Winslow and Karen Colon Hayes, and School Committee members Sharyn Rose Zeiberg and Keith Bernard.

  “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Habitat’s mission to Malden,” said Habitat Greater Boston President & CEO Jim Kostaras. He emphasized that the work of Habitat is “not a hand-out, but a hand-up,” and that each partner family must complete 300 hours of sweat equity working on their home, attend homeownership preparedness classes, and cover the 0% interest mortgage and home closing costs.

  “One of the best parts is when my mom comes to visit,” said Cynthia, one of the proud new homeowners. “You can see the pride radiating through her as she comes through my door.”

  Habitat Greater Boston is stepping up to meet the need for affordable homeownership and has plans underway to build six units in Weston, four homes in Roslindale, and seven units in Dorchester next year.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston

  Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope by building sustainable and affordable housing solutions, and empowering families through successful homeownership. Since 1987, we have partnered with local lower income families and volunteers to build affordable homes and strengthen communities in the Greater Boston area. Habitat Greater Boston is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) organization and an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. To learn more, please visit: www.habitatboston.org.

Assli Family-2
The Assli family were all smiles after receiving the Koran and a toolkit for their new home.
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Site Supervisor Michael Rousch presented construction materials and the Koran.
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Berachah Church Pastor Cyntoria Grant prayed for the families.
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Mayor Gary Christenson said affordable housing is the number one issue in the city.
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Homeowner Mostafa Assli (far right) smiled as he received a Koran to celebrate moving into his new home.
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Malden Islamic Center leader Hamid Bourote encouraged people to volunteer and donate to Habitat for Humanity.
Homeowners-2
Family members and officials: Sumaiyah and Leena Assli and their cousin Rahaf Maaroufy (at bottom); back row, pictured from left to right: family friend Mohammed Adutaha, Habitat for Humanity President & CEO James Kostaras, homeowners Mostafa Assli and Laila Berrad, Mayor Gary Christenson, Malden Islamic Center leader Hamid Bourote, son Yassine Assli and daughter Chaimaa.
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Homeowner Cynthia Hernandez said that personalizing her home brings her happiness.
Hernandez Family-2
Officials and Hernandez family, pictured from left to right: Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston President & CEO James Kostaras, Mayor Gary Christenson, mother Kathy Caraballo, homeowner Cynthia Hernandez, Berachah Church Pastor Cyntoria Grant, Cory Simmons, 13, and grandmothers Tina Caraballo and Ella Grant. In front are niece Ziya Bello and Mya Simmons, 4.
Habitat President-2
During Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking ceremony along Main Street, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston President & CEO James Kostaras said five additional families will move in to their new homes.
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Pictured from left to right: Habitat for Humanity President & CEO James Kostaras, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Director of Construction and Real Estate Development Gerry Patton, OSPCD Director Deborah Burke, Mayor Gary Christenson, Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow and Bowdoin Charitable Trust for Housing Creation Trustee Attorney Tom Callaghan broke ground.
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Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Institutional Giving Manager Shannon Steele said the families helped to build their homes, which is a requirement of the program.
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Homeowner Sumaiyah Assli and her children accepted a city mug full of candy from Mayor Gary Christenson.
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Mayor Gary Christenson presented a Bible, his business card and a toolkit to homeowner Cynthia Hernandez.

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