A PLACE CALLED BED STUY

After ten-year hiatus, Restoration has re-entered housing development with renewed vigor. We are proud of our first three individuals who successfully purchased homes through the Neighborhood Homes Program. We share their accomplishment and remain committed to preserving affordability and assuring a mixed income housing community in Bedford Stuyvesant. With the sale of eight other homes to close later this year and 160 affordable condominiums in the development pipeline, we will continue to work with community-based organizations to make homeownership a reality for working families.

Adrienne Haskell, Guidance Counselor (2007)
"I minimized my life down to the barest of necessities to save significantly to purchase my own house. I placed myself on every mailing list, and enrolled in as many programs as I could. It took me six years. I needed a program that would work for me and my young son. I wanted to go through a lottery process because the housing stock would be affordable. There's only one way I could have gotten this property and this is through Restoration's program. This house is my retirement, payment for my son's college education, the car for this 18th birthday, a dream realized and more all rolled into one. Everyone should have this opportunity.

Dionne Wycoff, Social Worker (2007)
"Bedford Stuyvesant was not my first choice to live. I fought my husband tooth and nail on this choice. We've been in our new home since April and I now know that this was the best choice for our family. I love our home, a beautiful four-story brownstone, a vast difference from out small two-bedroom apartment. My five-year old son has tons of space and rides his bike in our family room alongside his cousin who rides his scooter. This purchase will help us secure our financial future in a way that other options would not have. We have built in equity that will serve as an important asset for our family over time. Indeed, Brooklyn and Bedford Stuyvesant are experiencing a renaissance and I look forward to being a part of it."

Rony Forbes, Police Officer (2007)
"This is a great investment inthe Bedford Stuyvesant community, and it is at the heart of the revitalization of Brooklyn. Programs like these are an integral part of keeping affordable homes in the community, and they are run by quality people who care and do their best for you. This program is particularly well suited for moderate-income working people like me, i.e., school teachers, police officers, etc. A lot of working people work extra hours to save for down-payments. Ironically, this "extra income" frequently disqualifies us from participating in affordable housing programs. The program also does not end at the closing; the relationship continues. There's an open door policy -- anyone buying a home through this program can call Restoration to discuss issues that arise. It also has given me the opportunity to pass on something to my children."