The House That Beer Built - 27 East

Residence

The House That Beer Built

icon 6 Photos
The House Beer Built wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The House Beer Built wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

Habitat for Humanity of Long Island CEO Jimmy Jack, center, flanked by House Beer Built wall-raising crew members and, on the far right, construction supervisor Walt Mackey. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

Habitat for Humanity of Long Island CEO Jimmy Jack, center, flanked by House Beer Built wall-raising crew members and, on the far right, construction supervisor Walt Mackey. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

Walt Mackey gives instructions prior to the wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

Walt Mackey gives instructions prior to the wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The wall-raising begins with one of the four corners being secured in place. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The wall-raising begins with one of the four corners being secured in place. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The House Beer Built wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The House Beer Built wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The House Beer Built wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

The House Beer Built wall-raising. BRENDAN J. O'REILLY

Brendan J. O’Reilly on Sep 20, 2023

Habitat for Humanity of Long Island and the Town of Southampton Housing Authority raised the walls of a new affordable home under construction in Riverside on Wednesday, September 13, with the help, both physically and financially, of Long Island breweries and pubs.

Habitat raised $22,000 toward the project on Vail Avenue, dubbed “The House Beer Built,” by selling cards that cardholders can show at 20 locations for a drink at each. Representatives of many of the participating beer makers and purveyors were on hand for the ceremonial wall-raising to lift up the framing and secure it in place.

The fundraiser was such a success that Habitat plans to do it again in 2024.

Habitat sold about 600 cards in 2023 at $50 each, said Caroljean D’Aquila, the external relations manager for Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, which has set a goal to sell 1,000 in 2024 at a reduced price of $30. Though the card will cost 40 percent less, cardholders will be able to redeem them at even more breweries because every participating brewery signed on to partner again in 2024 and even more breweries have expressed interest in joining in, D’Aquila said.

Participating breweries on the East End in 2023 included Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., Peconic County Brewing, Twin Fork Beer, Übergeek Brewing and Westhampton Beach Brewing.

During the wall-raising ceremony, Curtis Highsmith, the housing authority’s executive director, also thanked architect Ryan Kesner for donating his time to design this home and others.

“The town owns multiple lots in Riverside that we’re looking to get adopted,” Highsmith told The Express News Group. “So we’re looking at another phase of construction relatively soon, hopefully beginning of 2024.”

There is a lot across the street from The House Beer Built and two at the end of the street, plus a fourth down the street.

“We’re going to keep raising walls and getting families here who deserve it,” Highsmith said.

The housing authority is working toward qualifying a family to purchase The House Beer Built with an affordable mortgage. At 116 and 86 Vail Avenue, two homes are near completion with income-qualified families at the ready to move in. Highsmith said he expects a ribbon-cutting ceremony next month. In April, Habitat and the housing authority held a ribbon-cutting for two Riverside homes on Old Quogue Road.

“Each home, we learn something different, how to improve upon it,” Highsmith said, explaining that they learn how to make the layout better and complete the process faster.

They have more than just the design and construction to worry about once they obtain a buildable property from the town. The lots are nonconforming, so the housing authority must obtain zoning, setback and pyramid relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Highsmith said, and each needs an innovative/alternative septic system and health department approval.

“So it’s going to take a while before we get to a point where we can actually build — a shovel in the ground,” he said.

Financial backing is another challenge. Fundraisers plus in-kind donations of materials and labor help overcome that hurdle.

Highsmith also noted that each house is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant for handicapped or mobility-limited residents.

“The town owns multiple lots in Riverside that we’re still trying to get adoptable,” he said. “So we’re looking at another phase of construction relatively soon, hopefully the beginning of 2024.

He encouraged everyone who applied before and was not selected for an affordable home to apply again once the application period opens next year.

“We don’t hold applications over from process to process or phase to phase,” Highsmith said. “Reapply. Even though you may not have received it in the past doesn’t mean you won’t receive it in the future.”

You May Also Like:

Houseplants 101: Match Houseplants to Home Conditions

Several weeks ago, in this continuing series Houseplants 101, I reviewed how important lighting considerations ... 30 Nov 2023 by Andrew Messinger

East Hampton Historical Society Holds 38th House & Garden Tour

The East Hampton House & Garden Tour, in its 38th year, was held Thanksgiving weekend, ... 28 Nov 2023 by Staff Writer

Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons Hosts December 2 Roundtable on Berry-Bearing Shrubs

The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons’ December roundtable will focus on hollies and other berry-bearing ... 27 Nov 2023 by Staff Writer

Hopping Mad: How To Control Pesky Crickets

Some find the sound of chirping crickets, which is actually a mating call, romantic or ... by Joseph Finora

Gifts Suggestions for Gardeners

It’s just weeks away from the holidays and gifting season, so this week, my annual ... 23 Nov 2023 by Andrew Messinger

Need a Lift? House Raising Is a Niche Business

Elevation, rehabilitation and preservation are a few of the reasons why a homeowner might seek ... 21 Nov 2023 by Brendan J. O’Reilly

Complexities of Regional Planning Dissected

Last week’s panel discussion on regional planning at Sag Harbor’s John Jermain Library, sponsored by ... by Anne Surchin, R.A.

Free Heat Pump Continuing Education Webinar Offered November 30

“Intelligent Residential Heat Pump Applications,” a continuing education webinar, will be offered for free on Thursday, November 30. AIA Peconic, the East East’s chapter of the American Institute of Architects, co-hosts this free event with Renewable Energy Long Island, DPC Continuing Education Inc. and GreenLogic LLC. Renewable energy integrator Jean-Pierre Clejan will present on the many ways heat pumps can be used in homes, including for HVAC, heated pools and domestic hot water, and on how intelligent electrification reduces carbon emissions to slow climate change. Clejan will share best practices, financial modeling, pros and cons, and the differences between ground-source ... 19 Nov 2023 by Staff Writer

Houseplants 101, Part II

This week in Houseplants 101 I’ll try to describe the different types of houseplant buyers, ... 16 Nov 2023 by Andrew Messinger

Who Is Spending the Winter in Your Garden?

Did you know that caterpillars and solitary bees both use dead plant stalks to overwinter? ... 14 Nov 2023 by Melissa Morgan Nelson