WESTCHESTER COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC

GENERAL PROGRAM: WESTCHESTER IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES. BUT THIS WEALTH IS NOT EQUALLY SHARED FROM CITY TO CITY, VILLAGE TO VILLAGE, OR HOUSEHOLD TO HOUSEHOLD, WITH THE COUNTY FACING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT DEFICIT TOTALING 82,451 UNITS (WESTCHESTER COUNTY HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, 2019). WESTCHESTER COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE LISTENING TOUR, ENGAGING COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO UNDERSTAND THE REGION'S DIVERSE AND URGENT NEEDS, GAPS, AND HOW TO BEST HELP LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS ACHIEVE HOUSING STABILITY AND EQUITY. WESTCHESTER HABITAT'S INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING AND SOLUTIONS INCLUDE OUR AGING IN PLACE AND PLUS ONE ADU PROGRAMS.AGING IN PLACE FILLS A CRITICAL NEED IN THE HOUSING SPECTRUM FOR LOWER INCOME SENIOR HOMEOWNERS IN WESTCHESTER. THE MULTI-FACETED PROGRAM PROVIDES HOME ASSESSMENTS, REPAIR ASSISTANCE AND MODIFICATIONS, ENABLING SENIORS TO CONTINUE LIVING WITH DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR CURRENT COMMUNITIES. IN FY24, OUR AGING IN PLACE PROGRAM SERVED 13 SENIOR HOUSEHOLDS. PLUS ONE ADU FACILITATES THE CONSTRUCTION OR LEGALIZATION OF ACCESSORY APARTMENTS ON THE PROPERTIES OF LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME HOMEOWNERS IN SELECT WESTCHESTER MUNICIPALITIES. THESE UNITS CAN GENERATE RENTAL INCOME FOR HOMEOWNERS, CREATING HOUSING STABILITY, AND SERVE AS A NEW SOURCE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR RENTERS. THEY ALSO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR INTERGENERATIONAL FAMILIES, INCLUDING INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR ADULT CHILDREN OR AGING PARENTS.

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT: MANY OF OUR PROGRAMS DEPEND UPON THE SUPPORT OF VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATE THEIR TIME AND SERVICE. WE WORK WITH VOLUNTEERS IN COMMUNITY SPACES ACROSS NEW YORK. WE ALSO OFFER PATHWAYS TO DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR MISSION THROUGH LEADERSHIP DRIVEN OPPORTUNITIES, RETAIL STORE AND SPECIAL EVENTS. THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ARE FINANCED THROUGH PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS.