A Bay Shore couple and their four children are another step closer in their pursuit of the American Dream. Last week, the family got the keys to a new 1,400 square foot, four bedroom home in Bay Shore.
Mariluz and Luiz Castillo both came to the United States from Peru in 2003 as Resident Aliens with Green Cards, according to a statement released by the Town of Islip. In 2016 they became citizens. Mrs. Castillo works at Positive Promotions in Hauppauge and Mr. Castillo is employed at SJG Deli Corporation. In addition to their full-time positions, the couple work two additional part-time jobs.
The family stood on the porch of their two-story colonial home on Hyde Park Avenue and received the keys to their during a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Castillos are vetted, qualified home buyers who received the house through the 72-H affordable housing program run by the Town of Islip Community Development Agency (CDA) and Suffolk County. The 72-H program transfers repossessed properties to local communities so they can be offered to low-income families.
For this property, the County is gave vacant land to the CDA, who then built a new, energy star home that compliments the community. The CDA provides the financing by subsidizing the purchase price through low and no-interest home mortgages, low-down payments and with no closing costs, making home buying affordable.
“It is truly heartwarming to join with the Castillo family, as they prepare to move into their new home and make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter in a statement.
Onhand for the ceremony were Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone; Islip Town Councilman John Cochrane; CDA Executive Director James Bowers and CDA staff.