Former Councilwoman To Lead Habitat

Former Huntington Councilwoman Tracey Edwards has been named executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Former Town Board member Tracey Edwards, who last year gave up her seat in an unsuccessful bid to become Huntington Supervisor, has been named executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk.

Edwards, who retired from Verizon as regional president for Long Island and upstate New York, was a town councilwoman from 2013-2017. She is also regional director of Long Island NAACP.

“Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is a perfect fit for me because of my passion for helping the community and passion for providing housing for families in Suffolk county,” Edwards said. “This is absolutely where I belong.”

“Mrs. Edwards epitomizes the sense of community activism that we value at Habitat Suffolk,” said Raymond Homburger, chairman of Habitat Suffolk’s board of directors. “Through her career and volunteerism, she has improved the lives of those she has served, and we know her fresh perspective and enthusiasm will be an asset to our organization.”

Habitat for Humanity is a national organization that builds homes for low incomes families in the U.S. and internationally. Edwards’ team is in charge of helping families in Suffolk county achieve home ownership. As a Huntington native, Edwards feels she understands her community’s needs.

“What better way than to have someone who is from Long Island, serve Long Island,” Edwards said.

In her position as executive director, Edwards is in charge of recruiting volunteers and sponsorship opportunities that will further the organization’s projects. Since all the home building is volunteer, they are crucial in completing a home. Anyone can walk in and start volunteering. Students can complete community service hours through building or businesses can form a team of volunteers that doubles as a team building exercise.

“I have to make sure we are growing the organization,” Edwards said. “So that we are providing more and more homes for low income families… I’m the biggest cheerleader for the team.”

During her time as a councilwoman, Edwards supported and co-sponsored affordable housing legislation that requires new developments devote 20 percent of occupancy to affordable housing.

“I understand from my role as councilwoman, the needs for the community,” Edwards said. “Long Island is viewed as a place of wealth but we have a lot of struggling families that do not have a place to live or they are unable to have a home of their own. Those experiences that I’ve been afforded makes me clearly understand that there is a need there for low income safe housing that can uplift not only the family, but the community as well.”

Habitat for Humanity bases eligibility on income, which helps keep families on Long Island.

“If we don’t take steps to provide affordable housing then people are going to leave Long Island. And no one should have to relocate, we should be able to provide housing opportunities at every level,” Edwards said.

In her first week as Executive Director, Edwards visited the eight homes Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is currently working on. Some will be ready next month, while others have just begun. Edwards feels confident she will be able to bring in more volunteers for the organization from all walks of life.

“I want to recruit volunteers from everybody,” Edwards said. “We have a wonderful community on Long Island. One thing about Long Islanders is that when the need arises and you ask, they are more than willing to step up and help,” Edwards said.

Interested in volunteering for Habitat construction projects? Contact Edwards through habitatsuffolk.org.