About Us
About Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties
Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Together with volunteers, organizations, and partner families, Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties builds, revitalizes, and energizes homes, neighborhoods, and communities. Habitat homes are built by volunteers, both skilled and novice, who wish to help families in need of affordable, decent housing. More than 450 volunteers participated in the most recent build in Cortland.
The need for affordable homeownership locally is large. In Tompkins County, according to the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment Study prepared for the Tompkins County Planning Department, by 2014, an estimated 798 owner occupied housing units will be needed by households with incomes at or below 80% of median income and an estimated 484 units will be needed by households with incomes at or below 50% of median income.
In Cortland County, the 2000 Census found 5000 households (nearly 30%) faced unaffordable housing cost. The 2002 “Cortland County Consolidated Plan” estimates that up to 75% of all city of Cortland housing units occupied by low to moderate-income families are substandard. Within the villages and hamlets, more than 60% of the housing stock may be considered substandard as defined by NYS Governor’s Office for Small Cities. Consistently high unemployment and low median income perpetuate our substandard housing conditions. Cortland lost 26 homes to decay between 2008 and 2005 despite a stable population.
This affiliate was founded in 1987 by the Reverend James Cavanaugh of the Groton Community Church, United Church of Christ. Since its founding, TCHFH has built 13 homes, five in Tompkins and eight in Cortland Counties. TCHFH currently sponsors the campus chapters of Cornell University and State University of New York in Cortland.
Habitat for Humanity provides a hand-up, not a hand-out. Partner families must have a steady income, qualify within our income guidelines (based on HUD guidelines of 35 to 65% of county median income), apply for home ownership, be a resident of one of our two counties for at least a year and must commit 500 hours of sweat equity working on their own home, the homes of others, and attaining skills needed for self-sufficiency and responsible homeownership. Families must repay an affordable no-profit, no-interest mortgage. Payments go into a revolving fund to build homes for more families in Tompkins and Cortland Counties.
In 2007, the TCHFH Board of Directors adopted a build green policy. This affiliate is committed to building and rehabbing as energy-efficient and environmentally green as possible, while still ensuring that the homes are affordable. Our first green build was completed at 165 Tompkins Street in Cortland. The Fetterly family of five moved in February, 2009. We received an Energy Star rebate of close to $3000 and the family youngest child has not had to use her inhaler for asthma since moving into the house.
For every house TCHFH builds here, in the United States, it is committed to supporting HFHI international work to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness by providing significant financial support through HFHI tithe program. TCHFH is supporting its 10th international house. We are planning on selecting a particular third world Habitat affiliate to support with our tithe and perhaps with new programs.
Support Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties by volunteering time and skills either on the construction site or on a committee. Be a part of a rewarding experience. Donations of land, vehicles, tools, and building materials are always welcome. With the community support Habitat will continue to build affordable homes for families in need.
TCHFH Committees:
Construction (by house project)
Development/Fundraising
Family selection
Family support
Site selection
Finance/Audit
Faith relations
Board of Directors
Chairman: Bill Sharp
President: Angela Loh
Vice President: Barbara Henza
Secretary: Andrea Rankin
Treasurer: Keith Randolph
Ben Boynton
Damon Ferguson
Fran Gutman-Chernow
Elizabeth Holmes
Sally Hoyt
Dave Nicholls
Elizabeth Holmes
Kim Rothman
Ed Siemon
Staff
Christy Voytko, Executive Director
Shannon Wheeler, Construction Coordinator
Allie Luetkehans, Communications Coordinator
