irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $146KSEE SCHEDULE O:HOUSING ASSISTANCE: STAFF COUNSELED AND/OR ASSISTED 210 CONSUMERS. THIS ACTIVITY SUPPORTS THE DELIVERY OF A WIDE VARIETY OF HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES TO HOME BUYERS, HOMEOWNERS,RENTERS AND THE HOMELESS. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO HELP THEM MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR HOUSING STATUS, TO MEET THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOMEOWNERSIHP AND TENANCY. COUNSELORS HELP BORROWERS AVOID HIGH INTERESTRATE MORTGAGES, UNAFFORDABLE REPAYMENT TERMS,AND OTHER SITUATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF EQUITY, INCREASED DEBT, DEFAULT, AND FORECLOSURE. HOUSING COUNSELORS DISTRIBUTE AND PROVIDE A RESOURCE FOR FAIR HOUSING AND FAIR LENDING INFORMATION. COUNSELING IS PROVIDED THROUGH COUNSELOR-TO-CLIENT ASSISTANCE THAT ADDRESSES UNIQUE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND HOUSING ISSUES, AND FOCUSES ON OVERCOMING SPECIFIC OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVE HOUSING GOALS SUCH AS REPAIRING CREDIT, ADDRESSING RENTAL DISPUTES, HOME PURCHASE, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, AND RAISING AWARENESS OF CRITICAL HOUSING, TOPICS SUCH AS PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES, FAIR LENDING AND FAIR HOUSING REQUIREMENTS, FINDING UNITS ACCESSIBLE FOR DISABLED PERSONS,AVOIDING FORECLOSURE, OR RESOLVING FINANCIAL CRISES. EDUCATION IS PROVIDED THROUGH FORMAL CLASSES WITH ESTABLISHED CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS - PROVIDED IN A GROUP OR CLASSROOM SETTING, OR OTHER FORMATS APPROVED BY HUD COVERING TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (1) RENTER RIGHT (2) THE HOME BUYING PROCESS (3) HOME MAINTENANCE (4) BUDGETING (5) FAIR HOUSING (6) IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES (7) RIGHTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (8) AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CREDIT. THE HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAM IS INSTRUMENTAL TO ACHIEVEMENT OF FRIENDS MISSION.
- #2 $1.98MSEE SCHEDULE O:THE OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ASSISTED 93 HOUSEHOLDS. THE EMPHASIS OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ELIMINATE HOUSING CONDITIONS THAT ARE DETRIMINAL TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PUBLIC WELFARE THROUGH CODE ENFORCEMENT, DEMOLITION OF DILAPIDATED UNITS, HOUSING REHABILITATION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES, AND TO PRESERVE LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF UNITS BOTH FOR SAVINGS AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES FEDERAL AND STATE DEFERRED PAYMENT LOANS (GRANTS) TO ELIGIBLE PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROVIDE SAFE, DECENT HOUSING, A SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, AND EXPANDED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES PRIMARILY FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PERSONS IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. LOANS THROUGH THE OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM ARE DEFERRED PAYMENT, NO-INTEREST LOANS THAT ONLY BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE UPON SALE, RENTAL, REFINANCE (SOME), OR TRANSFER OF THE PROPERTY. THE LOAN IS FORGIVEN IF THE OWNER RESIDES IN THE PROPERTY FOR THE SPECIFIED TERM OF THE LOAN (VARIES BY PROGRAM SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS). THERE ARE NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED WITH THE LOANS WHICH ARE SECURED IN MOST PROGRAMS, BY A MORTGAGE ON THE PROPERTY. DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, THERE IS A LONG WAITING LIST FOR THESE SERVICES.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Housing Counseling Program
Provides one-on-one counseling and education on home buying, foreclosure prevention, budgeting, credit repair, tenancy rights, and reverse mortgages; includes HUD-approved classes and HECM counseling.
NYS Access to Home Program
Offers financial assistance to adapt homes for accessibility for low- to moderate-income individuals with disabilities.
NYS Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC)
Provides grants to support homeownership opportunities through new construction or rehabilitation of homes for low- to moderate-income households.
NYS Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Facilitates CDBG funds for housing rehabilitation, municipal infrastructure improvements, and economic revitalization in eligible communities.
NYS HOME Investment Partnership Program
Uses federal HOME funds to acquire, rehabilitate, or construct affordable housing units for low-income residents.
Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation and Replacement Program
Administers deferred-payment, no-interest loans and grants for health and safety repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, and home replacements for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Capital Infrastructure Funding 2 activities
- Administering CDBG grant programsFunds affordable housing development, quality-of-life improvements, and economic revitalization projects in eligible municipalities by administering Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs.
- Administering HOME Program fundsFunds the acquisition, rehabilitation, and construction of safe and affordable housing units by administering U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds.
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Home Accessibility Modifications 1 activity
- Accessibility modifications for elderly and disabled individualsInstalls ramps and adaptive living equipment in homes to improve accessibility and safety for elderly, disabled, and frail individuals, enabling them to live independently and safely in their residences.
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Interest-Free Loan and Grant Support 1 activity
- Administering AHC grant programsFunds homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income households by administering Affordable Housing Program (AHC) grants that support new construction or home improvements.
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Home Repair Assistance for Low-Income Households 1 activity
- Home repair and rehabilitation assistanceProvides home repair and rehabilitation services for low-income homeowners, including fixing broken furnaces, faulty wiring, contaminated water, leaking roofs, structural issues, deteriorated plumbing, poor insulation, and other health and safety hazards. The program also facilitates federal and state home repair grants for owner-occupied homes, supporting upgrades to roofing, windows, heating, septic systems, and electrical and plumbing systems. In recent years, the organization assisted between 72 and 93 households annually through this program.
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
- Homeless assistance and housing stability supportOffers homeless assistance services including emergency shelter referrals, food and healthcare connections, benefits screening, budget development, and tenancy counseling to help individuals secure and maintain stable housing.
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First-Time Homebuyer Support Services 1 activity
- Housing counseling servicesProvides comprehensive housing counseling through certified counselors, including homebuyer education, tenancy counseling, foreclosure intervention, post-purchase support, credit repair, budgeting, and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) counseling. In multiple reporting years, the organization counseled between 137 and 210 consumers annually on topics such as home buying, renting, and avoiding foreclosure.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.39M
Contributions & grants$2.26M95%
Program service revenue$130K5%
Investment income$1300%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.43M
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$737K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.01M
Cash$352K
Investments$0
Liabilities$198K
Net assets$814K
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -41.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRYSTAL NARDUCCI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $153K |
| ALLISON GARFIELD | FINANCE MANAGER | 40 | $108K |
board members · 7
- AMBER BROWN-ROSE — SECRETARY
- BRUCE GARCIA — CHAIRMAN
- ELLIE JENT — DIRECTOR
- GABRIELLE DION — DIRECTOR
- GRETCHEN CROWNINGSHIELD — VICE CHAIRMAN
- MARK KAISER — TREASURER
- STEPHANIE CLARKE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Catholic Charities Partner — Partner organization delivering social services and community support
- Clinton County Department of Social Services Government — County agency providing social services in Clinton County
- Franklin County Department of Social Services Government — County agency providing social services in Franklin County
- Housing Assistance Program of Essex County Partner — Partner organization providing housing assistance in Essex County
- Housing Counseling Department Partner — Department providing information and support for grant programs.
- JCEO Partner — Local agency partner collaborating to meet client needs.
- Joint Council for Economic Opportunity Partner — Partner organization supporting economic opportunity programs
- Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Partner — Partner organization providing legal assistance resources
- NYS Homes and Community Renewal Government — State agency supporting housing and community development in New York
- NYS Office for the Aging Government — Government affiliate providing aging-related services and benefits information
- New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation Government — Administers the NYS HOME Program in partnership with FRIENDS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC
- New York State Office of Community Renewal Government — Co-administers CDBG and AHC grant programs with FRIENDS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY INC
- New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Government — State government entity through which Friends of the North Country connects clients to services and facilitates home repair grants.
- PRide of Ticonderoga Partner — Local community organization providing support services in Ticonderoga
- Rural Housing Coalition Partner — Partner organization focused on rural housing solutions
- Rural Law Center Partner — Partner organization offering rural legal support services
- Rural Preservation Center of Clinton County Partner — Partner organization preserving rural housing and community assets in Clinton County
- US Department of Agriculture: Rural Development Government — Government affiliate providing rural development resources and funding
- US Department of Housing & Urban Development Government — Government affiliate supporting housing and urban development initiatives
- United Way Partner — Partner organization connecting to community resources and support services
- United Way of the Adirondacks Partner — Partner organization collaborating to connect clients with resources and support services.
- local governments Partner — Works on behalf of local governments to secure investment and support community development projects.
- non-profits Partner — Collaborates with non-profit organizations to advance housing and community development initiatives.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Centered Housing Counseling and Educationmethodology: client_centered_counselingBy providing housing counseling and financial education through a client-authorized, confidential, and client-determination-driven approach, the organization empowers individuals to make informed decisions about homeownership and tenancy, because trust, privacy, and client autonomy increase engagement and lead to better housing outcomes.
- Deferred-Payment Loan Model for Housing Rehabilitationmethodology: deferred_payment_loan_rehabilitationBy offering deferred-payment, no-interest loans that are forgiven over time with continued residency, the organization increases access to safe and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households, because this financial structure reduces barriers to home repair while incentivizing long-term occupancy and neighborhood stability.
- Integrated Community Development and Collaborative Service Deliverymethodology: integrated_community_developmentBy integrating housing programs with broader community revitalization efforts and collaborating with local agencies, the organization addresses housing as part of a larger ecosystem, because coordinated action across sectors improves neighborhood quality of life and amplifies impact beyond what housing services alone can achieve.