nothin High Hopes On Vernon Street | New Haven Independent

High Hopes On Vernon Street

Rohan Naik Photo

Dahn and Rodriguez, left, pose with YNHH staff at groundbreaking.

On Nov. 24, Ana Rodriguez received one of the best phone calls of her life.

The call came while Rodriguez was sifting through paperwork in her office at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Upon answering, she learned that she would soon be a first time homeowner.

Alone in her office, Rodriguez took a few minutes to bask in the reality.

Let’s just say it was the best Thanksgiving ever,” she said.

YNHH looms behind the properties.

On Tuesday, Yale New-Haven and Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the seventh and eighth Habitat homes sponsored by the hospital. The two homes, located at 51 and 55 Vernon St., represent the 108th and 109th homes that Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven has built or restored since the chapter’s founding in 1986.

The groundbreaking recognized Rodriguez, who works in administration at YNHH, and Musu Dahn, a Liberian immigrant, who will live in the two homes.

As an international not-for-profit, Habitat builds, renovates and repairs houses for low-income families. The families purchase their houses through affordable monthly mortgage payments. They invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, or sweat equity, working alongside volunteers to build their house.

Casey speaks about the partnership between YNHH and Habitat.

The groundbreaking featured brief remarks from William P. Casey, the executive director of Habitat, as well as Michael Holmes, the senior vice [resident for operations at Y‑NHH and the [resident of Habitat’s Board of Directors. The plots are across the street from Y‑NHH, so doctors, administrators and nurses who work with Rodriguez attended the groundbreaking.

Homeownership has a big value,” Holmes told the crowd. It helps create stability, and we cannot be more proud to stimulate that growth.”

The partnership between Y‑NHH and Habitat began in 2009. Rick D’Aquila, Y‑NHH’s president and chief operating officer, and others at the hospital pushed for greater community involvement. The hospital reached out to Habitat, and the partnership was soon born.

To date, Y‑NHH has sponsored eight homes in New Haven. More than 100 hospital employees have volunteered on these builds.

Vernon Street, located right by the hospital, has proven to be a popular spot. In 2011 and 2013, YNHH sponsored three Habitat homes on Vernon; it will sponsor two this year and two next year.

Vernon Street is really transforming,” Casey said. The first time I drove down here I wasn’t so sure about this. It looked like a ghost town with abandoned houses and blighted properties. But you can see the difference already.”

While Habitat has sponsored numerous homes on the street, it has far more applications than available homes. A family selection committee chooses homeowners based on level of need, willingness of the family to partner with Habitat and income.

The process includes two applications: In the first, applicants declare their income and credit rating. In the second they declare any debt. There are also two interviews, one in an office and the other at the applicant’s home, with the family selection committee.

According to Al Lorie, the chairman of the family selection committee, both Rodriguez and Dahn were particularly noteworthy applicants. He cited Rodriguez’ positive demeanor and Dahn’s success as a recent immigrant.

Rodriguez with her family at the site of their new home.

For Rodriguez, the process has been priceless. After hearing about Habitat, she attended an informational meeting last July at the public library on Elm Street.

I thought, Let’s give it a shot and go for it,’” she said. Why not?”

A year later, Rodriguez and her 12-year old son traipsed around the property together. Almost in disbelief, they surveyed the plot and smiled. The two hope to move in at the end of the year.

It really is such a blessing,” she said with tears in her eyes. I’m forever grateful.”

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