Habitat begins work on third house

SCHUYLER COUNTY--Currently working on a house in Hector, the Schuyler County Habitat for Humanity will be able to put 12 CO2 smoke alarms donated by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Porsche Club of America to good use. Donations of materials, such as the alarms, money and time are all important in allowing the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to fulfill their mission.
"It is important that we have the support of the local community and donations of any kind, building materials or otherwise, [because that] means that we don't have to buy them, which reduces the cost of having to build a house," said Michael Hartney of the Schuyler County Habitat for Humanity.
After completing a house in Montour Falls and having a family move into it in June of this year, Hartney said he and his fellow volunteers are already hard at work in Hector.
"It's a shell of a house right now on County Route 4. We are in the process of selecting a partner family. Families who have expressed an interest are getting financially qualified and we will announce a partner family as soon as we are able to," Hartney stated.
Despite the incorrect assumption by some in the public that Habitat For Humanity allows families to move into a house for free, Hartney said that is not the case.
"We don't give houses away," Hartney mentioned. "Partner families qualify for a low-interest loan and are paying a mortgage. We don't give away houses, families have to qualify financially and have to donate time working on the house themselves."
Locally speaking, Hartney added Habitat For Humanity is of particular importance in Schuyler County due to the inherent lack of low-cost housing.
"The ability to obtain a mortgage on a livable home in Schuyler County with low to moderate-income is quite difficult," Hartney said. "The availability of homes in the price range (low-income residents) might be able to afford is extremely limited."
The Review & Express has previously reported in real estate stories that housing availability in Schuyler County is low and that local real estate agents consider it a seller's market.
"Moderate homes in Schuyler County can cost $170,000, that is out of reach for a family paying rent at $500 a month," Hartney added.
With Habitat For Humanity, Hartney said families have been able to obtain homeownership.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the Schuyler County Habitat For Humanity please contact Bob Groll at broll@schuylerhabitat.org. If you are interested in applying to qualify for a home by becoming a partner family please visit www.schuylerhabitat.org.
Donations may be sent to Schuyler Habitat for Humanity, Post Office Box 45, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.