Courtesy Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties
By Christine Graf
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties has started construction of a new home at 9 Hovey St. in Glens Falls. The property was purchased from the city of Glens Falls for $1,000.
The project follows one in Saratoga Springs, at 8 Locust Grove, which was affected by COVID-19, but nonetheless completed in 2020.
“We took over a blighted, asbestos-ridden, foreclosed on home,” said Habitat for Humanity executive director Adam Feldman of the Glens Falls property. “We had to do asbestos remediation and tear down the home. There was a boatload of expense.”
The more than $30,000 that Habitat spent to purchase and clear the property is much more than they typically spend, but Feldman described the project as a “proof of concept.”
“I wanted to prove to the City of Glens Galls that we are a capable housing partner to help them remove zombie properties,” he said. “I wanted to showcase to the city that we are capable of removing blight, increasing investment opportunities, getting units back on the tax roll, and bettering the community in general through home ownership. If that’s what the community needs, that’s what I’m willing to do.”
The term zombie property refers to vacant homes that have been foreclosed on and abandoned by their owners.
“I don’t think the city has done the math yet, but what does that blight cost the city from a tax perspective, from an investment perspective, from a community perspective?” said Feldman.
He uses 9 Hovey Street as an example. The dilapidated house that sat on the property was impacting property values on the entire street.
“When we remove the blighted home, it helps the whole street,” said Feldman.
Habitat relies on the support of local businesses and volunteers to build its houses. Corporate partnerships are vital to the organization’s success, and AngioDynamics has partnered with Habitat on 9 Hovey Street. The company provided 50 volunteers for the first three days of the build.
“It’s a really cool experience,” said Feldman. “They are there to build and raise the first wall, and they do it with the family that is going to live there. We love when our corporate volunteers get to engage with the family that they are building a home for.”
In addition to providing volunteers, AngioDynamics is hoping to raise $10,000 from its staff and corporate network. The company plans to make a matching $10,000 donation.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer volunteers work at the construction site at any given time.
The pandemic had a major impact on Habitat’s build that took place at 8 Locust Grove in Saratoga Springs earlier this year. Corporate groups were canceled, and volunteers were restricted. Lowes made a $5,000 corporate donation to help offset costs.
“We were able to complete the Saratoga Springs home on schedule,” said Feldman. “It was a little bit more expensive than usual because we didn’t use volunteers for two to three months. We had to subcontract out some of the work that would usually be done by volunteers.”
Habitat typically has a total of 100 volunteers per build. Some are skilled while others have no prior building experience. Habitat’s on-site construction manager oversees each project.
Due to the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Habitat will be unable to meet its goal of building three homes this year. They are also relying more than ever on their loyal corporate partners.
“Some are going to write us a check since they have supported us every year and this year is uncertain as to whether or not they will be coming to the build site,” said Feldman.
These partners include Lehigh Cement, Travelers Insurance, Saratoga Builders Association, Telescope Casual Furniture, Curtis Lumber, and BD (formerly CR Bard). Pro bono professional partners include architect Tonya Yasenchak of Engineering America in Saratoga, and Latham law firm Schiocchetti Abbott Newkirk PLCC. They were also selected to receive funds from a Wells Fargo national Habitat for Humanity grant.
A large portion of the organization’s funding comes from its retail store, Southern Adirondack ReStore. The store is located at 1373 Route 9 in Fort Edward and sells a variety of donated furniture and home goods. All proceeds stay local.
“We are extremely diversified, and I believe in self sustainability,” said Feldman.
It is because of this philosophy that Habitat has been able to weather the COVID-19 crisis and complete the Saratoga Springs home as well as begin work on the Glens Falls project.
“COVID had a huge impact, but we were smart enough, worked hard enough and were lucky enough to take advantage of it,” he said. “We panicked for a week and then said, ‘It’s okay. We have a conservative balance sheet. Let’s move forward, let’s make a plan, and let’s get stuff done.’”
For more information, visit www.glensfallshabit.org. For anyone interested in donating land, Feldman can be contacted at executivedirector@glensfallshabitat.org.