Beginning of Hope Springs Development By Habitat

SAUGERTIES – More than 40 community leaders, supporters, and partners gathered last week at Jeffery Court for the land dedication ceremony of Hope Springs Development, Ulster County Habitat for Humanity’s groundbreaking 10-home community.

The outdoor ceremony marked the official start of construction on the first woods-to-cul-de-sac development by any Habitat affiliate in New York State. Framed renderings of the future neighborhood lined the site as speakers emphasized the critical need for affordable homeownership in Ulster County.

“This is about keeping working families in Ulster County,” said Christine Brady LaValle, CEO of Ulster County Habitat for Humanity. “Hope Springs represents real solutions to our housing crisis.”

State Senator Michelle Hinchey received the Habitat for Humanity of New York State Affordable Housing Champion Award, presented by CEO Michael Barrett, for sponsoring landmark affordable homeownership legislation signed by Governor Hochul in October. The legislation creates property tax incentives for homes built by nonprofits and sold to low income homebuyers.

Senator Hinchey stated, “It’s an incredible achievement that Ulster Habitat is the first New York State Habitat affiliate to break ground on an affordable housing neighborhood, and I’m proud to support the Hope Springs project with funding from our office to help bring these new homes to Saugerties. A stable life starts with stable housing, and I’m honored to receive the Affordable Housing Champion Award from Habitat for Humanity of NYS in recognition of our work to deliver real solutions to the housing crisis, including legislation I carried to help people afford to stay in their homes. Congratulations to Ulster Habitat, and thank you to all of our partners working with us to bring sustainable housing solutions to everyone across our state.”

County Executive Jen Metzger and Saugerties Supervisor Fred Costello joined Hinchey in celebrating the project’s community impact.

Bob Siracusano, owner of Sawyer Motors in Saugerties, announced that Ulster County Habitat will be a beneficiary of the dealership’s annual car show in July 2026, adding local business support to the development.

Poet Laureate Mike Jurkovic performed “Hope Springs,” written for the occasion, which opens: “We break ground to break bread / Bring light to dark corners.”

Hope Springs will provide 10 energy-efficient homes for working families earning 50-70% of Area Median Income. Construction begins in early 2026 with completion expected in late 2027