Roberta Militello, on porch, a web administrator in the College of Veterinary Medicine who bought her Brooktondale home three years ago with the help of Better Housing for Tompkins County, sits in front of her home with her dog, Max, and 10-year-old daughter, Tara. Julia Featheringill/University Photography
An agency in Tompkins County is helping some people put their rent money to better use. Thanks to the services of Better Housing for Tompkins County Inc., a United Way member agency, monthly rent payments by low- and moderate-income families and individuals can be turned into home equity. Better Housing has helped more than 100 families outside the city of Ithaca, including Cornell staff members, make their dreams of home ownership a reality.
While home ownership for some seems like wishful thinking, Better Housing offers the tools to put that goal within reach for many. By providing a number of programs -- such as home-ownership information and counseling, assistance in contractor selection and help in obtaining home-purchase and home-improvement loans -- Better Housing helps eligible first-time home buyers purchase homes within the county, outside the city of Ithaca. Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) concentrates its programs within the city.
Roberta Militello, a web administrator in the College of Veterinary Medicine, bought her home three years ago with the help of Better Housing.
"I had been looking for a two-bedroom apartment but was horrified at the cost. I met a realtor who suggested I buy a house. It just didn't seem possible. I thought my income was too high to qualify [for assistance from Better Housing]. As it turned out, Better Housing took into account that I was a single parent, a one-income household. So I did qualify."
To help people purchase their own homes, Better Housing and INHS periodically sponsor home-buyer orientation sessions that provide an overview of how home buying works. These seminars deal with home-buying basics, in language that people other than lawyers and real estate agents can understand.
"I learned how to plan and budget to achieve my goals," said Militello. "I have gotten really good at projecting unforeseen costs and budgeting for improvements. The fact is, we couldn't have bought a home with-out the help of Better Housing. I love being a home owner. My daughter and I have made many improvements to our house. I think my daughter is learning the art of making one's life better through vision and effort."
Better Housing not only helps first-time home buyers, but it manages 122 affordably priced rental units throughout the county to offer for seniors and low-income families. In addition it provides assistance to low-income homeowners for housing rehabilitation, and it offers small home repairs, such as repairing steps and leaky faucets and installing wheelchair ramps for older and disabled homeowners.
"We also have elder cottage housing -- one-bedroom cottages that are portable and can be moved to a family member's property for an elderly relative," said Stacey Crawford, development manager at Better Housing. "When no longer needed, a cottage can be moved to another location for use by different family."
For more information about Better Housing for Tompkins County, call 273-2187 or e-mail bhtc@clarityconnect.com.
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