A Real Bargain

Two local families in desperate need of housing will be the benefactors once Habitat for Humanity constructs dwellings in Patterson and Putnam Valley.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday evening the Putnam Legislature approved the sale to the non-for-profit organization, for $10, of the two properties that the county obtained in a tax foreclosure proceeding.

The Patterson site on Kendal Drive consists of two lots and a single family dwelling described as “in need of desperate repair and renovation” while the Putnam Valley parcel is vacant land in the northern end of Lake Oscawana.

John Parish, president of the Putnam Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, told the lawmakers that his group was an “ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness by building and rehabilitating houses by using volunteer labor and tax deductible donations of supplies, materials and cash.”

Parish said “families are not given a new home. They must qualify for the program by being able to pay property taxes as well as an interest-free mortgage. Because volunteer labor is used to construct the home, mortgage payments are usually very low and affordable.”

Income from the mortgage is used by the group to roll over into the next project.

A home in Lake Carmel rehabilitated by Habitat for Humanity several years ago is now the residence of a local family.

Legislature Chairman Vincent Tamagna praised the local Habitat for Humanity chapter: “They go a long way towards pulling our community together but more importantly Habitat represents the spirit of what Putnamites are all about—people helping people, resiliency, and doing the right thing. For us to be able to afford this opportunity by transferring property so that two less fortunate families will be able to call Putnam home and raise a family in suitable housing is a phenomenal opportunity.”