Habitat for Humanity plans first build in Amenia

AMENIA — Habitat for Humanity plans to begin construction of a home on Depot Hill Road in October and open applications for prospective buyers in December.

The structure, which will be located near the Harlem Valley Rail Trail parking lot in Amenia, is part of a $1.2 million round of federal housing and community development grants announced earlier this year by Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino.

At a site visit last week, Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County CEO Eelco Kessels was joined by COO Jen Radicone and Construction Director Todd Bowen III. The land has been cleared of trees, and groundbreaking is set to begin in October.

“The plan was always to build a home that fits in with the other homes here,” said Kessels. “We want to make sure that this becomes a place where a family is going to thrive, affordably, for the next 30-plus years.”

The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home will be a modular home.

“It exceeds New York State energy codes,” added Bowen, the construction director. “And we’ll be looking for volunteers when springtime comes around.”

In December, the home will be delivered in 4 boxes. Applications for ownership will open that same month, and remain open until February. Porches, landscaping, and the driveway will be added in March, and the owners will — tentatively — be able to close in May.

Kessels said the home’s price will fall in line with Amenia’s workforce housing regulations. Applicants must have an income between 60% and 80% of the area’s median and housing costs will not exceed 30% of the chosen family’s annual income, he said.

Habitat will host information sessions about this particular property in October and November. Additionally, prospective homeowners have the ability to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Homebuying University, which runs from September to December. A Spanish language version of the course is available in January and February.

“Affordability isn’t just helping folks acquire a home, it’s helping them stay in a home,” said Kessels. “We have one of the older housing stocks in New York state, so we’re not just dealing with a shortage of new construction, but also a lot of homes in need of critical maintenance and repairs.”

While this Habitat branch has largely focused on Poughkeepsie in the past, there are plans to expand into Dutchess County’s eastern edge. Kessels says the organization is in talks to purchase properties that could accommodate as many as six houses in Millerton. It’s still early days, but one thing is certain: the area’s need for affordable housing has reached critical levels.

“We’ve really found a community here that is seeing their nurses, teachers, and shop workers get priced out,” said Kessels. “But we’re investing in home ownership, and in individual families that are going to be in the community for a long time.”

The Depot Hill home is one of 14 projects funded through the county’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. Both are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. County Executive Sue Serino said the awards “help people right here in Dutchess County, supporting our neighbors who need extra help,” and cited expanded affordable housing for families as one goal.

Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County, founded in 1986, focuses on first-time homeownership. The organization builds for families earning 60-80% of the area median income for low-interest mortgages.

Elsewhere in the county, the funding will pay for sidewalk replacement near a Beacon elementary school, ADA improvements at Pawling Village Hall, and infrastructure for a five-lot housing subdivision in Poughkeepsie.