Through property rehabilitation, we complete small and medium scale renovations to existing properties with the intention of improving their condition and maintaining their status as affordable housing. This can include small upgrades to increase energy efficiency such as window modernization, or larger scale renovations that provide critically important repairs to meet health and safety standards. For us, creating and maintaining affordable housing requires a consistent evaluation of the existing supply of housing to ensure all available opportunities are being utilized.

We're fortunate to serve a geographic region rich in both history and opportunity. Our historic preservation work involves a very thoughtful planning, design, and development process, starting with thorough research on the original intent and purpose of the space and its significance to the community. Every detail is considered in an effort to maintain the charm and history of each property and preserve its place in time, while also incorporating modern and functional features that make the spaces accessible to both present and future generations. Projects include commercial, residential, and mixed-use buildings.

We develop affordable housing through new construction at various scales. This can include 2-story homes for first-time homebuyers, for or multi-unit residential apartment buildings for mixed income renters. Each project involves the input of community members and potential residents to make sure their needs are considered and incorporated. We have over 40 years of experience in this work, and are proud to build housing with the help of community members, partners, and vendors that understand the importance of creating new opportunities for affordable housing.

Keys to Homeownership:
A financial health classes geared towards first time home buyers. These classes are offered once a month and will help you set goals, and identify barriers to purchasing homes. There is a $25* fee to participate in a class.

2024 Class Dates: March 1st, April 19th, May 3rd (more dates to be announced soon)

First Home Club:
This 5 session course covers the rest of the home buying process. There is a $100* fee to enroll in this course.

*If any fees present a barrier, contact us to see if we can waive your fee.

We also offer a variety of counseling opportunitites tailored to your needs:

• Free credit and budget counseling
• A pre-purchase fast track counseling program ($125* fee)
• ABC’s of being a landlord (for someone who is interested in buying a multi-family property but wants to know what’s involved)
• Landlord training for new and experienced landlords.

*If any fees present a barrier, contact us to see if we can waive your fee.

Financial Fitness is a free program (for all Dutchess County residents) designed to help individuals and families increase savings, decrease debt, and learn how to increase credit scores, and how to correct credit deficiency.

You’ve worked hard for your home... now take the steps to keep it.

If you’re struggling with your mortgage payment we can help. Our HUD approved Housing Counselors can explain your options and help you obtain the help you need.

NeighborWorks Homeownership Center of Dutchess County announces the next round of The Debt Reducers Club. Along with Heritage Financial Credit Union’s Financial Development Center, The Debt Reducers club is aimed at assisting participants in enhancing their financial well-being by providing information to make informed financial decisions to increase savings capacity, reduce debt and increase credit scores. The program will provide a 2:1 savings match to reduce harmful debt to participants who successfully complete the program.

The program requires participants to save $25 per month for ten months in a designated savings account with Heritage Financial Credit Union. At the end of the ten months the program will provide a $500 match. The total, $750 will be used toward paying down harmful debt.

To qualify for the program participants must:

1. Be a current Dutchess County resident

2. Meet income eligibility guidelines. Household income cannot exceed 80% of Dutchess County’s Area Median Income.

3. Have at least $500 in harmful debt.

4. Complete NHC-DC’s Financial Capability program which consists of Financial Fitness Group education and one-on-one financial fitness counseling.

5. Open a designated savings account for DRC at Heritage Financial Credit Union.

6. Have an initial counseling session with HFCU’s Financial Development Center staff upon opening Debt Reducers Club savings account.

7. Participants will have a final counseling session with HFCU’s Financial Development Center staff upon completion of the program.

Enrollment for this program begins on March 1, 2024.

Funding is available for homeowners in Dutchess County who have urgent and immediate repairs due to flood damage from the historic storms in 2023. The AHC Flood Assistance Program can provide up to $50,000 in funding for homeowners for damages not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

Applicants must be residents of Dutchess County.