Habitat for Humanity NYC celebrated the opening of a new housing development in Brownsville Saturday.

Fifteen families were welcomed to their new affordable apartments at the newly unveiled Dean Street Residencies.

The future homeowners invest in what Habitat Humanity NYC calls "sweat equity" – meaning they help to build their own home alongside hundreds of volunteers.

Once complete, each unit is sold at an affordable rate to lower income New Yorkers with help from city agencies.

"These are really families who are doing everything right," said Karen Haycox, CEO of Habitat for Humanity NYC. "They're working, they're trying to save and they make too much to really qualify for any kind of subsidy."

The new homeowners have waited 22 months, but couldn't be happier to finally own a house.

"I just can't believe that I am going to be a homeowner," said Cherie Toney. "So it is just an incredible feeling."