Schenectady, N.Y. — Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County, Inc. is breaking ground on their 58th home on Friday, March 24th at 10:30AM. This new home will be located at 749 Cramer Avenue and will be the second Habitat home located in the Town of Rotterdam. The first was completed in 2019, also in partnership with Schenectady County and the Capital Region Land Bank.
In 2020, the Capital Region Land Bank and Schenectady County worked together to demolish a vacant and deteriorated home at 749 Cramer Avenue to make way for this new construction project. The Land Bank has donated the land to Habitat and the new home is being funded by the generous support of IUE-CWA, as well as through private donations. It will be a two-story, four-bedroom home with a full basement. Schenectady Habitat’s Family Services Coordinator is working with several potential partner families from an extensive wait list to determine who will be the best fit for this home, based on required criteria. All Habitat partner families must complete homebuyer education and financial counseling with a HUD-certified counselor, apply and qualify for a mortgage, and complete 200 hours of sweat equity.
“Schenectady County is proud to partner once again with the Capital Region Land Bank and Schenectady Habitat to rehabilitate a tax-foreclosed, blighted property in Rotterdam,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “Working together we are able to transform a once vacant eyesore into a brand-new space that any family would be proud to call home.”
“Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County builds quality, affordable homes for families throughout our community. We are excited to return to Rotterdam, breaking ground on a brand new, two-story home. Generous funding from IUE-CWA and the support of the Capital Region Land Bank makes this possible, and we are looking forward to building a beautiful new home for a future Rotterdam family,” said Kathy Fernandez, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County.
Rob M. Macherone, IUE-CWA National Staff Representative added “Schenectady Habitat is a world class organization that is bringing transformative change to the Communities it serves. IUE-CWA is proud and honored to partner with Schenectady Habitat for Humanity to greatly improve the standard of living in these communities in which our Union members live.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County, Inc. is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat is a globally recognized nonprofit housing organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies, and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Additional information is available at www.schenectadyhabitat.org.
About the Capital Region Land Bank
In 2012 Schenectady County, the City of Schenectady, and City of Amsterdam partnered to establish the Capital Region Land Bank. The Land Bank’s mission is to strengthen neighborhoods by mitigating blight. The Land Bank is a 501 C (3) nonprofit administered by Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority as part of Schenectady County’s unified economic development team.
Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County Contacts:
Kathy Fernandez
Executive Director
518.395.3412 x 106 (W)
kfernandez@schenectadyhabitat.org
Kerrie Wolf-Piechota
Director of Resource Development
518.395.3412 x103 (W)
724.422.5549 (C)
kerrie@schenectadyhabitat.org