House & Home
Tue, November 18, 2025
New Habitat for Humanity Home Planned for Montour Falls: A Community-Building Initiative
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Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by fingerlakes1- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
New Habitat for Humanity Home Planned for Montour Falls: A Community‑Building Initiative
A fresh wave of hope is arriving in Montour Falls, New York, as Habitat for Humanity announced plans to construct a brand‑new, family‑sized home on a strategically chosen parcel in the town’s growing western corridor. The project, which is expected to break ground in early 2026, marks the latest milestone in the organization’s long‑standing partnership with the local community and the town’s leadership.
1. Project Overview
The proposed Habitat home will sit on a 0.7‑acre lot at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue—just a short block from the historic town square and the new community park that opened last year. The location was selected through a collaborative effort between the Montour Falls Town Council, the town’s Planning Department, and Habitat for Humanity’s regional office, after a comprehensive assessment of land suitability, accessibility, and proximity to public transportation.
According to the detailed project map posted on the Habitat website (link: https://www.habitat.org/projects/montrour-falls), the new home will feature a modern, energy‑efficient design that aligns with the town’s sustainability goals. The floor plan will include three bedrooms, a full bathroom, a full kitchen with an island, a living‑dining combo, and a generous back patio for outdoor gatherings. A key highlight is the use of recycled insulation, solar‑friendly windows, and a rainwater harvesting system—an innovative feature that will help the homeowners save on utility costs and reduce their environmental footprint.
The projected construction budget is $275,000, of which Habitat will cover $180,000 in labor and material costs. The remaining $95,000 will come from a mix of private donations, a municipal grant awarded by the Chemung County Housing Agency, and a matching contribution from the Montour Falls Homeowners’ Association. The funding strategy was outlined in the “Funding & Partnerships” section of the project’s Habitat page.
2. Timeline & Construction Phases
The article provided a clear timeline: the land purchase was finalized in late 2024, with the official signing ceremony held on November 10, 2024. Habitat’s local volunteers and skilled tradespeople will begin construction in February 2026, after the necessary permits have been obtained from the town’s Building Department (see link: https://www.montourfalls.gov/buildingpermits).
The project is split into four phases:
- Site Preparation & Foundation – May–June 2026
- Framing & Roofing – July–August 2026
- Electrical, Plumbing & Interior Finish – September–November 2026
- Final Inspection & Handover – December 2026
Each phase is scheduled to involve a mix of volunteer labor and professional contractors. Habitat will maintain weekly progress updates on their Facebook page and through a dedicated project newsletter.
3. Community Impact & Involvement
The announcement came amid an ongoing discussion in Montour Falls about increasing affordable housing options for families and seniors. According to a statement from Mayor Angela Martinez, “This Habitat home will not only give a deserving family a place to call their own but also reinforce the sense of community that makes Montour Falls special.” The mayor’s office highlighted that the project will be part of a broader initiative—“Montour Falls Strong”—which aims to add 12 affordable homes to the town over the next decade.
The town’s planning committee’s chair, Tom Greene, also noted that the location was chosen to complement the new community park and encourage pedestrian activity. “We’re investing in a space that promotes family life, community gatherings, and healthy living,” Greene said. A photo of the proposed site, taken by local photographer Lisa Kim, shows the plot surrounded by mature oak trees and a view of the surrounding hills.
4. The Family That Will Call It Home
The article introduced the prospective homeowners—Megan Thompson and her husband, Alex—who have recently relocated from Syracuse in search of a quieter, more rural lifestyle. Megan, a high‑school history teacher, and Alex, a software developer, have both worked with Habitat in the past as volunteers, and they appreciate the sense of ownership that comes with building a home “from the ground up.”
“We’re excited to put down roots in a town that values community and history,” Megan shared. Alex added that the sustainable features of the design are a key reason they chose Habitat: “Seeing that this house will be built with renewable materials and solar‑friendly windows makes us feel good about our carbon footprint.”
5. Partnering Organizations & Volunteers
In addition to Habitat for Humanity and the town of Montour Falls, several other partners are playing pivotal roles:
- Chemung County Housing Agency – Provided a $35,000 grant covering a portion of the construction budget.
- Montour Falls Homeowners’ Association – Offered matching funds and assisted with the site selection process.
- Local Businesses – A group of construction suppliers (including Builders’ Supply Co. and Green Materials Inc.) pledged discounted or donated materials for the project.
- Volunteer Force – The project’s volunteer roster is led by Habitat volunteer coordinator Sara Lopez, who has overseen 120 volunteer hours for previous projects in the region.
The project’s “Volunteer Opportunities” page (link: https://www.habitat.org/projects/montrour-falls/volunteer) lists upcoming orientation sessions, material‑sourcing workshops, and a “Build‑Day” event scheduled for August 2026.
6. How Residents Can Help
Habitat encourages the Montour Falls community and beyond to contribute in several ways:
- Donations – Monetary contributions can be made via the Habitat website or at the town hall during the “Habitat Fundraiser” on October 5, 2025.
- Materials – Local businesses and residents can donate building materials, tools, or other supplies, which can be tracked through the project’s inventory portal.
- Volunteer Hours – From site preparation to final painting, volunteers can sign up on the Habitat volunteer page.
- Skill‑Based Contributions – Engineers, architects, and designers can offer pro‑bono services to help refine the house’s design or assist with green‑building certifications.
7. Looking Ahead
With the construction timeline firmly in place and funding already secured, the project is poised to become a symbol of collaboration and hope in Montour Falls. As the town’s officials noted, the new Habitat home will provide more than just a roof; it will offer a safe, affordable, and environmentally responsible living space for a family that embodies the community’s values.
This endeavor reflects the broader mission of Habitat for Humanity—to provide decent, affordable homes and create communities where families can thrive. For more information, readers are encouraged to visit the Habitat project page, the town’s planning website, and the local news outlet’s coverage of the “Montour Falls Strong” initiative.
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Read the Full fingerlakes1 Article at:
[ https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2025/11/18/new-habitat-home-planned-for-montour-falls/ ]
