HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230064 Hutchins Road SUP Public Comment (4) Dear Planning Board of Saratoga Springs:
The need for New Yorkers across the State to have access to affordable housing is well documented. The challenges
our local neighbors face this year due to inflation and the skyrocketing of mortgage interest rates adds to the financial
pressure and stress many have already felt post-COVID. For many of our closest friends a safe, stable, and affordable
home is simply out of reach. Specifically in Saratoga Springs - seniors, the workforce, young professionals and
individuals with diverse abilities find it nearly impossible to live in our beautiful City, attend our amazing schools and
integrate into the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties is currently the only developer focused on
affordable homeownership in the City. And therefore we are excited to support new developers providing affordable
homeownership to individuals in our community! Martina Zobel, the visionary behind STAND, reached out to learn from
Habitat for Humanity nearly two years ago and has been working closely with my team to provide long term affordable
units in Saratoga Springs. Her commitment to finding community partners to guide her towards her goal of building a
community of like minded individuals has truly been inspirational.
Habitat’s Mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. This perfectly aligns with the “S” in
STAND:
S ocially:
We share celebrations, practices, resources and time while honoring individuality, sustainability and privacy.
When they move into their new homes, STAND homeowners will all pay an affordable mortgage that will
allow them to build equity to pass on to their children, creating generational change. With affordable mortgage
payments, they will no longer have to live paycheck to paycheck. By helping to make home ownership possible for
these individuals we are also investing in the future and vitality of our community.
I am confident that STAND has the vision and community support structure to carry out the goals set forth in this
plan. I therefore encourage the Planning Board to fully support this proposal.
Sincerely,
Adam Feldman
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of
Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties
1373 US 9 Moreau NY 12828 – 518.793.7484
www.glensfallshabitat.org