Celebrating Completion of 10 More Habitat Houses
On June 15th, volunteers, community partners, elected officials, and neighbors gathered to celebrate the ten new Habitat houses that they helped build.
The completion of six homes on Orange Street in Albany and four homes on River Street in Troy marks 164 houses in total built by Habitat Capital District since 1988. Ten first-time homebuyers are closing on their purchases this month and will move into their new homes this summer!
“We are talking about new neighbors to this community, first time home buyers. When we say that homeownership strengthens communities, we also mean is that homeowners become a part of the community,” Habitat Executive Director Christine Schudde said.
Speaking at the Albany event, Habitat homeowner Paul Smith came to the podium smiling wide, throwing his arms into the air,
“First and foremost, I want to thank everyone that has has had a part in helping build this community, [in] Sheridan Hallow and Troy. I have seen a transformation take place almost within a 30 year timeframe. It looks absolutely gorgeous. Two words that I had heard today: stability and hope. Partnership with Habitat for Humanity has given me that stability and hope. To know that I won’t have to move next year, to know that I won’t have to move in 20 years, to know that I probably will pass away in my house. And when I do pass away, I know that my girls will continue that on. This is my home. Finally owning something in Albany, gives me hope.”
Several Habitat homeowners (picture above) attended the community event to see their new homes and meet their new neighbors.
“It's hard not to smile seeing all their hard work and dedication come to fruition when they walk through their houses for the first time,” Homeowner and Community Engagement Manager Tiffany Metty said. Habitat homeowners help build their houses, take financial education courses, and pay an affordable monthly mortgage and their property taxes.
These homeownership opportunities have been made possible through the generous support of the community and local partnerships. City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan noted that these investments bring hope to our community. Other speakers at the two events included Habitat’s Executive Director Christine Schudde, Congressman Paul Tonko’s District Director Colleen Williams, NYS Senator Neil Breslin, NYS Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, and City of Troy Mayor Patrick Madden.
I hope you enjoy your new home and I wish you many happy years here!
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Congratulations on this momentous achievement!
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Welcome to homeownership!
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Congratulations, neighbors!
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May good things happen for you in this new journey!
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Enjoy your hard work!! Live comfortably in your new home!
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May God bless you for many happy years in your new home.
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Home is a place to create so many memories. I am excited for you and your family!
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I hope you enjoy your new home and I wish you many happy years here! 〰️ Congratulations on this momentous achievement! 〰️ Welcome to homeownership! 〰️ Congratulations, neighbors! 〰️ May good things happen for you in this new journey! 〰️ Enjoy your hard work!! Live comfortably in your new home! 〰️ May God bless you for many happy years in your new home. 〰️ Home is a place to create so many memories. I am excited for you and your family! 〰️
Get involved and help us build more homes in partnership with our neighbors!
Project information
Habitat builds new homes and rehabs vacant buildings and sells them to first-time homebuyers at an affordable price. By expanding access to homeownership, Habitat is building the infrastructure for equity while helping families and neighborhoods build strength and stability. Habitat offers lower-risk homeownership opportunities as Habitat takes on the risks of construction and sells energy-efficient, high-quality homes with fewer surprise fixes needed in the future. Habitat makes its homes affordable to low- to moderate-income households by passing through public subsidies and private donations to lower the sales price and mortgage amount.
The 10 new single-family townhomes are between approximately 1,300 and 1,500 square feet and each feature 3 – 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, an open first-floor layout, and a full basement. All homes are constructed to meet the strict energy efficiency requirements established by EPA's ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program. These requirements include features such as high-quality insulation, advanced windows, efficient heating and cooling systems, properly sealed ductwork, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
Both projects were designed by TAP, Inc. and used construction financing from the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and M&T Bank.
“We are thrilled to welcome ten first-time homebuyers to the Habitat community in both Albany and Troy. These projects would not have been possible without the support of Mayor Sheehan and Mayor Madden and their public investment in expanding access to homeownership. Having a safe, affordable home of your own provides stability and opportunity. It also helps ensure that our region remains a place where everyone can afford a safe place to live,” said Christine Schudde, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity Capital District.
Six new homes in Albany’s Sheridan Hollow
Since 2013, Habitat has built or rehabbed 51 homes (56 total units) in Albany’s Sheridan Hollow neighborhood & has sold them at affordable prices to first-time buyers.
The construction of these homes was funded in part through a transformational investment of American Rescue Plan Act funds through the City of Albany. The $3.79 million award will help fund Habitat’s joint initiative with the Albany County Land Bank to develop 100 new affordable homes in the City of Albany. Additional project funding included grants from the Touhey Homeownership Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “Three quarters of the funding – approximately $18 million – is being awarded for projects that will create affordable housing, affordable homeownership, community spaces and direct services in Albany’s neighborhoods of highest need. This grant of nearly $4 million to Habitat for Humanity to build 100 new, affordable homes is a significant portion of this historic investment, and it would not have been possible without President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and the tireless support of Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Tonko. Thank you to Habitat for Humanity for committing to our most underserved communities and creating new homeownership opportunities for 100 Albany families.”
Four of the Orange Street homes are part of the Albany Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization governed by ACLT residents, neighbors, and community representatives. Community Land Trusts help build both individual and community assets through shared equity homeownership, which enables CLT homes to remain permanently affordable and for community land to remain in community control.
Four new homes in North Central Troy
Since 2003, Habitat has built 16 homes in North Central Troy, including a mix of new construction and vacant building rehabs.
Habitat purchased the vacant property from the Troy Community Land Bank. The construction of these houses was funded by a HOME grant from the City of Troy. We are grateful for the administration’s stalwart support of homeownership development in North Central and throughout the city of Troy.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden said, “Housing is a human right but one that is out of reach for too many low and moderate-income families, which is why I’m overjoyed to join Habitat for Humanity in announcing four new homes in our North Central neighborhood built by the community with city grant funding. Habitat for Humanity continues to be a strong partner in housing our neighbors and I am thankful for their ongoing contributions to our community.”
