To address concerns of a lack of affordable housing, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services is receiving a $900,000 grant provided by the state government and a nonprofit that finances affordable housing.
The funds will be used to acquire and renovate distressed properties, provide training and technical assistance to homeowners, and create permanent affordable housing for low- and middle-income families. These housing properties will be added to INHS’s Community Housing Trust, meaning they are houses people own instead of INHS rental properties.
“The high cost of housing is one of the biggest challenges facing Ithaca today,” Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick said. “I am proud that residents of Ithaca and Tompkins County will now have a fair chance at homeownership, which is key to the long-term stability and well being of the community.”
Myrick, New York Attorney General Letitia James and officials from INHS made the announcement during a news conference Thursday on Hancock Street .
New York Attorney General Letitia James announces a $900,000 grant for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services.Buy Photo
New York Attorney General Letitia James announces a $900,000 grant for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services. (Photo: Matt Steecker / Ithaca Journal)
Johanna Anderson, executive director of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, said INHS is planning to preserve, buy and build 31 or more new housing units to be added to its community housing trust over the next five years.
The grant is part of a two-year program that will fund the creation of 18 of those new homes. It will allow INHS to create a new position to enhance and grow the community housing trust, and establish working capital revolving funds for land acquisition. INHS will also use the funds for outreach in educating and engaging homebuyers on the homes in the community land trust.
“The pipeline is constantly in motion, but this funding is wonderful, because there will be 18 units created whether we are buying or constructing,” Anderson said. “With every day comes new possibilities. Having $900,000 to do this work makes it more realistic and gets the pipeline moving much faster.”
The community housing trust currently has 52 units it has used to help 60 families over the last decade, Anderson said.
“INHS gave me the tools and support I needed to buy my first house,” said Leslie Benjamin, a community land trust resident. “I never thought I’d own a home, and I’m so thankful they walked me through the process. That program actually made me think it was possible to buy a house. I thank God each day.”
The grant is a continuation of the 2017 Community Land Trust Initiative started by the Office of the New York Attorney General and Enterprise Community Partners, a Maryland-headquartered nonprofit with offices in New York state.
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick speaks at a press conference in which a $900,000 grant was announced for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services on Thursday. Behind him on the right side of the photo is Johanna Anderson and to her right is Leslie Benjamin, a community land trust resident who has received assistance from INHS.
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick speaks at a press conference in which a $900,000 grant was announced for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services on Thursday. Behind him on the right side of the photo is Johanna Anderson and to her right is Leslie Benjamin, a community land trust resident who has received assistance from INHS. (Photo: Matt Steecker / Ithaca Journal)
“By providing Tompkins County with this grant, we are opening the doors to solutions to a problem that affects many families and individuals: the lack of safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities,” James said. “Our mission is to help communities develop solutions that meet local housing needs and revitalize neighborhoods.”
Outside of Tompkins, the Community Land Trust Initiative has awarded $7.8 million in nine cities and counties throughout New York state, including Broome, Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the cities of Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, New York and Schenectady.
Martha Robertson, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, speaks at a press conference in which a $900,000 grant was announced for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services on Thursday.Buy Photo
Martha Robertson, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, speaks at a press conference in which a $900,000 grant was announced for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services on Thursday. (Photo: Matt Steecker / Ithaca Journal)
“These homes will remain affordable,” said Martha Robertson, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature. “The value of the land will be held in perpetuity in the community land trust by INHS.”
