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Family to buy first Habitat for Humanity house

Family to buy first Habitat for Humanity house

Anthony Macagnone of Amenia shakes hands with Jennifer Buitrago, the housing and financial coach for Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County on Wednesday, July 31 in Millerton. Habitat CEO Maureen Lashlee looks on as the partnership agreement is signed.

John Coston

MILLERTON — Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County’s (HHDC) board of directors met on July 25 to approve the family elected to the house in the Town of North East.

The Macagnone family of four has been chosen to move into the HHDC house at the end of winter. The Macagnone’s have two children, a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter, who attend Webutuck School District.

Jennifer Buitrago, the housing and financial coach for HHDC, said the family was elected by their committee members, and the final step was for the family to be approved by the board of directors.

“He thought ‘Maybe I wasn’t selected,’ and a couple of days went by, weeks progressed, and he said he was going to text me just to thank us for the opportunity,” Buitrago said. “He had a 360 spin.”

The house is approximately 1,400 square feet with three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on a half-acre plot of land.

Nine families were eligible and being considered while finding new homeowners. Under an affordable housing initiative, the program allowed families to apply for this ranch-style house at 30% of their household income. The Macagnone family has been paying more than 50% of their income for their housing cost.

“They really do reflect exactly what we are doing this for,” Jennifer Radicone, the COO of HHDC said. “From the standpoint of HUD’s recommendation of paying no more than 30% of your income, it is almost flipped for them. Somehow they have been managing to survive and this is going to give them a new lease on life.”

The Macagnone family said they frequently swim in the Rudd pond, and the other day, when their daughter was supposed to swim with friends, they stopped to look at the lot of their future home.

“They are beyond thankful and say God works in many different mysterious ways and are very excited for their next chapter,” Buitrago said.

On Thursday, Aug. 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. HHDC will hold a volunteer presentation at the North Eeast Community Center at 51 South Center St.

Colleen Flynn

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