MALDEN – On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston alongside Mayor 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 on Main Street.

Surrounded by family, neighbors, and supporters, new homeowners Elmostafa and Laila moved with their children into one of the newly completed townhouses, 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 beautiful families to our diverse, vibrant neighborhood in Malden,” said Mayor Gary 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!”

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Cynthia (center) and her two children (right and front) at the dedication of her new home on Oct. 29, 2022.

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.

“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.