Nine applicants file to buy affordable home in North East

NORTH EAST — The Habitat for Humanity Town of North East Homebuying Pilot Program applications closed on June 10 with nine applicants.

Families applied for the three-bedroom, single-family home to be built in the Town of North East near Gay Road and Rudd Pond Road.

Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County (HHDC) received nine complete and eligible applications that will be considered, a spokesperson for the organization said.

Habitat for Humanity held information sessions in late May and early June, including making a presentation to the Town Board.

The program allows families to apply for a home at 30% of their household income under an affordable housing initiative. Applicants were required to be below 80% of the current Area Median Income of Dutchess County and needed to be prepared to purchase the home by winter of 2024.

The family whose application will be accepted for the family home, will be announced in July.

The home will be built in the Town of North East on a 1 /2 acre lot that was conveyed by the Town. It will be a thjree bedroom, two-bath ranch with approximately 1,400 square feet. It will likely be built on a concrete slab or have a crawlspace foundation due to the high water table. It also will have a septic system.

According to HHDC, there are 6,000 families in need of affordable housing in the county, paying up to or more than 50% of their income on housing.

With the enthusiasm the town brought and how many people were interested in the program, Habitat for Humanity hinted at expanding the program in the future.