Babylon town Supervisor Steve Bellone announced that the Town’s First Time Homebuyers Assistance Program (Phase 3) will run until July 31. Bellone made the announcement at the home of Kimani and Gabrielle Morris. The couple purchased their Broome Street, North Babylon home with help from the program. "Home ownership is THE American dream," said Bellone. "With the help of the Long Island Housing Partnership, more Babylon residents than ever before will have the opportunity to say: I just bought my first home."

The Morris’ have put considerable effort and money into the home’s interior. "We would like to do everything at once!" said Kimani. "But financially, we tackle what we can."

With the warm weather upon us, the couple decided to turn their attention to outdoor concerns. "We were planning to furnish the living room first, but with the good weather, we thought it would be best to do something outside." Cutting down some trees and re-seeding are just two of the immediate chores that Kimani and Gabrielle have on their to-do list.

The couple rented in East Farmingdale prior to purchasing their home in Babylon Town. They have family who also live in the Town, so the location was a natural match for them and their three children: Elijah, age 5; Joel, age 3; and Josiah, 11 months. They received a matching $10,000 award from the program, all of which they used for the down-payment on their home.

Under the conditions of the HOME Down-Payment Assistance Program for First Time Homebuyers, the Morris family must remain in the home for five years and continue to maintain the dwelling. On their fifth anniversary of ownership, they can apply for a waiver and be forgiven for the repayment of the original gift.

Also joining Bellone and the Morris family were Carol Woods, Project manager for the Long Island Housing Partnership and Theresa Sabatino, Acting Director of the Town of Babylon’s Community Development Program.

Kimani and Gabrielle Morris are happy with the decision they made to apply for the Town of Babylon’s down-payment assistance. "The program is great!" said Kimani. "I try to tell people about it."

Shown in photo left to right are Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone, home-owner Gabrielle Morris with son Joel (age 3), home-owner Kimani Morris with son Josiah (age 11 months), and Babylon Town Councilman Wayne Horsley.