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. We are currently finishing two homes this year – one in Dryden and one in Cortland. 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 30 to 60% 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 mortgage – we make sure families don’t pay more than 30% of their monthly income towards mortgage, home insurance, and local/school taxes. 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.

For next year, TCHFH has set a goal to build three homes locally: one will be in Lansing for the Gagnon family (Don and his three daughters); one in the city of Cortland; and the third in the village of Groton. We are actively seeking families for those lots.

Please support Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties by volunteering time and skills either on the construction site, at our office, or on a committee. Or donate buildable lots/land, vehicles, tools, and building materials. Or donate funds to help us pay for all materials/services we need that are not donated. Be a part of this exciting community team working to improve the lives of our low and very low income families; and of our community as a whole. With the support of individuals, businesses, and other organizations in our community, Habitat will continue to build affordable homes for families in need.

TCHFH Committees:

  • Construction (by house project)
  • Major Gifts
  • Family Selection
  • Family Support
  • Celebrations (subcommittee of Family Support)
  • Women Build
  • Site Selection
  • Finance/Audit
  • Faith Relations

Board of Directors

President: Mike Porciello
Vice President: Sally Hoyt
Secretary: Angela Loh
Treasurer: Keith Randolph

Barb Henza
Ben Boynton
Buff Boyce
Dave Nicholls
Dean Shea

Staff

Shannon MacCarrick, Executive Director
shannon@tchabitat.com

Andi Baldwin, Women Build Program Coordinator
andi@tchabitat.com

Rachel Ditch, Faith and Youth Relations Coordinator
rachel@tchabitat.com

Michelle Blessing, Construction Team Leader
michelle@tchabitat.com

Financial Statements and Annual Reports

Audited Financial Report FY2008
Annual Report 2008 Final
2010 Habitat Financial Report
Financial Statements 2009
2009 Annual Report
2010 Habitat Financial Report
2010 Annual Report

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