Thursday, June 5 (New York City) - The day was gray but the smiles of the new homeowners lit up the South Bronx Highbridge neighborhood as they welcomed the HUD "Homeownership Express" to New York City.

The Express visited a townhome development now under construction. The new homes - 18 of which are expected to be completed this summer - will soon be welcoming families to an area of the Bronx that had once been dominated by vacant lots and abandoned buildings. Once completed, the neighborhood will include a total of 60 new two-family houses built on land formerly owned by the city.

The development is unique in that many of the families are first-time homebuyers purchasing a two-family house who will not only be providing a new home for themselves, but renting the other unit to a low-income family.

"Our country is personified right here in this New York City neighborhood," said Secretary Martinez. "Having the rental concept and the homeownership concept side by side is not only building homeownership - it is also building the community."

During a morning ceremony that brought together new homeowners with representatives from the City of New York, New York State, and the private and nonprofit-sector partners who are making the Highbridge development a reality, Secretary Martinez presented a ceremonial key to the new homeowners on which was written "Homeownership: Creating Housing for the Next Generation."

In a nod to that "next generation" and to the delight of the crowd, the Secretary picked up little Liz Marie Lee, the daughter of new homeowner Luisa Lee, and told the crowd, "This is our day to recognize you, salute you, and celebrate your empowerment."

The visit also included a tour through the home of Angel Irizarry, another new homeowner who is eager to move in to his new house.

In his remarks, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., spoke passionately about the powerful impact of homeownership on his own parents, who emigrated to the U.S. from Puerto Rico in the 1950s. "They came with a little change in their pockets and a lot of dreams," he said. "In 1969, they bought their first row house for $28,000. They built equity, and from there they bought another house in Rockland County. That other house was a little more - maybe closer to $200,000. Just recently, Mom and Dad built a half-a-million-dollar home. That's what this is all about. It's ultimately about giving people an opportunity."

Joining in today's celebration were New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner Judith Calogero, New York City Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Jerilyn Perine, Highbridge Community CDC President Monsignor Donald Sakano, HUD Assistant Secretary Roy Bernardi, and Naomi Bayer of Fannie Mae.

Monday: Educating homeowners in Pittsburgh.