RCHR Awarded Grant Funds to Assist Rensselaer County Residents

Coming this spring, the Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR), will again have grant funding available to assist local residents with obtaining and maintaining their homes. RCHR has been awarded funds under three government programs, providing grant monies which can be used for downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers, home rehabilitation projects, and home modifications to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

Under the Access to Home Program, income-eligible homeowners and renters in Rensselaer County may be able to receive grant funding to make enhancements to their homes in order to increase accessibility. Home improvements include items such as building ramps and widening doorways. Applicants who are Veterans are particularly encouraged to apply and will find that the income eligibility limits are higher for them.

The Homeowner Rehabilitation Program can assist income-eligible homeowners with home repairs such as health and safety repairs, roof replacement, structural, electrical, plumbing and heating system repairs or replacements, window replacements and energy efficiency measures.

The Small Cities grant program can assist income-eligible first-time home buyers with grants to be used for down payment and/or closing costs at the time of purchase.

“We are pleased to again receive funding for these important programs that assist individuals in acquiring and maintaining their homes.” Said TRIP Executive Director Patrick Madden. These programs can be a lifeline for individuals who are striving to maintain their independence. ”Income-eligible Rensselaer County residents outside the City of Troy may apply for these grant opportunities. Applicants need to be income eligible and current on their mortgage, property taxes and homeowners insurance at the time of application in order to qualify.

For more information about these grants or other homeowner programs, visit RCHR’s website at www.triponline.org/county or call TRIP NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center at (518) 690-0020.

Thanks to Key Bank, A Community Partner

Joel Basaillon presents check from KeyBank’s Gifts to the Community Holiday Reception” to Bobbi Carter for the TRIP HomeOwnership Center 

Free Tax Preparation Service

Free Tax Preparation Services available for both Federal and State taxes

• IRS trained VITA and AARP Volunteers
• Free electronic filing
• Faster refunds with direct deposit
• Total income under $51,000

To make an appointment call or visit any of the sites listed below. Weekday and Saturday appointments available.

Commission on Economic Opportunity** 2328 Fifth Avenue - Troy Call: (518) 272-6012 Hoosick VITA 26 John Street - Hoosick Falls Call: (518) 686-9491 Troy VITA** Italian Community Center 1450 Fifth Avenue, Troy Contact community police for appointment at: (518) 270-4689 Circles of Mercy (VITA / AARP)** 11 Washington Street - Rensselaer Call: (518) 462-0899

East Greenbush Community Library* 10 Community Way East Greenbush Stop in to schedule appointment Everett Wagner Senior Center* 2 Roxborough Road - Grafton Call: (518) 279-3413 Wynantskill Senior Center* 2 Douglas Street - Wynantskill Stop in to schedule appointment *AARP site **VITA/AARP site All locations are handicapped-accessible

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING:

• Valid Picture I.D. for you and your spouse
• Original Social Security Cards & birth dates for You and All Dependents
• W2 And 1099 Forms From All Employers in 2012
• Other IRS Forms and/or Information as Appropriate
• If available a copy of last year’s tax return
• For Direct Deposits Into Checking Accts: A Voided Check / Savings Accts - Bank Acct. Routing #
• If Claiming Dependent Care Expenses, Child Care Provider’s Name, Address and Tax ID #

Sponsored by the Rensselaer County CA$H Chapter. Rensselaer County CA$H Chapter is led by Circles of Mercy and is a coalition of community, non-profit social, faith-based, educational, business, financial and government organizations dedicated to promoting financial stability and asset building for individuals and families in New York’s Capital Region.  CA$H, which supports the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax Aide programs, seeks to increase awareness about the availability of various tax credits for working individuals, families and seniors.

Troy Compost

Troy Compost is a Troy citizens’ working group promoting composting at all scales, from neighborhoods to institutions and eventually full citywide municipal composting. We want to stop filling up landfills and use those valuable nutrients to build healthy soil and productive gardens. Voluntary neighborhood composting is the easiest to start and in many ways can be the most resilient and sustainable. Community composting sites are already in the works with The Food Cycle project, at the Oakwood Community Center, CAC Woodside and a potential collaboration with Capital District Community Gardens. To get started, we're looking for neighborhood composting champions and locations where neighborhood composting sites can live.

To get involved, go to the Troy Compost wiki, get caught up, and join the email list to find out about the next meeting.  http://troycompost.wikispaces.com/Citizens+Working+Group+on+Composting

Take a Sip for TRIP

Faces at TRIP: Sam Messick

Sam Messick

Helping people find quality, affordable TRIP apartments often starts with our Rental Coordinator, Samantha Messick.  As a member of TRIP’s Rental Management team, Sam processes rental applications and helps interested applicants navigate the process.  She also coordinates the landlord screenings, a program that allows private landlords to find the most responsible tenants for their apartments.

When she’s away from the office, Sam likes to bake and read digital-page-turners on her Kindle.  Putting a family recipe to use and baking up a batch of Keyser cookie bars is always a treat.

After a year and a half at TRIP Sam aims to become even more efficient while maintaining a strong sense of empathy.  Finding the right apartment for applicants while remaining open-minded about each individual’s circumstances is key to successful rental management.

Shades of Green in the Workplace

Are you Green in the workplace? What does your business do to employ "green" practices? 

Businesses across the country are taking baby steps and eventual larger strides towards reaching various goals in creating a very sustainable workplace.  Some green practices are simple and others are more involved. This is what one local company is doing...

Turner Construction Company, which has over 40 offices in the US including one in Albany, NY, has seriously committed to making their offices greener and more inviting to their employees as well as visitors.  To date, 43% of their main offices have become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.  LEED is a rating system developed by the US Green Building Council that is designed to measure if a new or renovated building or office meets various requirements to reach a certain level of sustainability. A project can be certified at a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Certified level.  Obviously the higher the level, the more resources are needed.  BUT, the object here in the workplace and at home is to get ideas to start small, save some dollars, enhance even further, save more dollars, and ultimately sustain an efficient, organized, and comfortable setting.

An example of a new initiative introduced in a few of Turner’s offices is the use of interactive touch-screens which lets employees and visitors see live changes in office electricity and water usage, compare energy consumption office to office, and learn about the green features that help offices conserve resources.

Learning from others about basic and advanced practices, as described above, can also lay the foundation for sustainable operations and maintenance practices going forward.. Upfront planning for green operations and maintenance can help building owners and operators ensure that the building performs to its full potential.

Understanding how and when we use energy and other resources can help us evaluate and change our patterns of usage, and make informed decisions to reduce our environmental impact.  This can happen at the workplace or in your own homes.  Take pride in any setting you are in.

Submitted by Michael J. Stewart, LEED^® AP
Senior Project Manager
Turner Construction Company

TRIP Board Member