PROGRAM

Kathy Fuchs introduced:

Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity:

Rick Smith, Housing Coordinator for Ontario and Wayne Counties, and Michelle Archibald, Fundraising Manager

Rochester’s Habitat was formed in 1964,  merged with Ontario and Wayne’s orgs in 2023

Theme:  “Homes, Communities and Hope”

Habitat has built 32 homes in Ontario County, and in a new program completed repairs on 25 additional homes.

The Home Repair program aims to help homeowners with repairs to make their homes safer and preserve the structure so they can remain in them. There are 20 additional homes in Ontario County in the queue for upcoming repair projects.

Greater Rochester Habitat is also a HUD-certified housing counselor.  Coming up:  8-Hour Homebuying Class, open to all, on Sept. 28 @ the Bozzuto Center.

Habitat best known for its new homebuyer program.  Prospective homeowners must meet certain requirements –have an income (level determined by location) and be able to take on a $1500 down payment and 30 year low interest mortgage (capped at 30% of household income.) They also have to be willing to put in 200+ hours of sweat equity into the building of their future home.

Once house is done, owner is charged with maintaining it.  Habitat offers guidance but there is no formal follow up.  If they have to leave the home, there are some buy back rules, but most stay.

In Geneva, Habitat has 2 houses in progress – on Katherine and Jackson streets.

Upcoming – 9 NEW HOMES!  3 bed, 1.5 bath modular houses to be built on Crystal St, just off E. North St. Applications for the houses open on Sept. 1.  Applicants must show $50,000 household income to qualify, and applicants can come from surrounding towns as well as from Geneva.  Habitat is non-profit and relies on grants, donations and volunteers to sustain its programming.  Ways to help:  organizations and businesses can sponsor a house, donate, host fundraising events.  Or, groups can volunteer to help build.  Great team bonding activity!