About Syracuse Habitat for Humanity

• In the past 25 years, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity has built or renovated almost 60 non-profit houses that have been sold to selected families through interest-free mortgages.

  Syracuse Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit ecumenical agency whose mission is to eliminate substandard housing in the world. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended. We create partnerships within the community by crossing racial, cultural, political and economic barriers. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status or disability.

  Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 300,000 houses in more than 90 countries, with more than 50,000 of those having been constructed in the United States. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity was incorporated in 1984 and our first house was completed in 1986. Since then, we have built over 56 new homes and have contributed an estimated $25.5 million in cummulative direct economic impact in the Central New York region. Most recently, the organization has focused on eliminating substandard housing in the Near Westside, and to restore quality of life.

  Syracuse Habitat for Humanity "lends a hand up, not a hand out." Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homes are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with no interest loans for 30 years. To ensure commitment, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity requires homeowners to invest 300 volunteer "sweat equity hours" in labor, as well as provide a $500.00 down payment. Our houses are sold at 0% interest; therefore the first mortgage payment begins to build equity and credit for families who would not otherwise qualify for a mortgage due to income level.

  The homes that we build are transformational! In fact, our homeowners are really building their communities. Our focus has been on the Near Westside of Syracuse, and as such, our homeowners are part of rebuilding a community that has struggled for years. In addition, many of our homeowners continue to have an active role within the organization through participation in the Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors or other committees and/or by representing SHFH publicly by championing the power of first-time homeownership.

  Syracuse Habitat for Humanity fosters leadership, education and economic self-sufficiency in our homeowners. This is particularly true for women and girls. Our homeowners are made up of 97% minorities, 80% of homeowners are single mothers and 90% of our homeowner applicants are women. We do not target single mothers; however, more low-income, minority single mothers apply and qualify for our homes in Onondaga County than any other group.

  Our homeowners must complete a required training course sponsored by Home Headquarters on the following topics: homeownership, maintenance and continued home care. Also required are 300 "sweat equity hours" which allow hands-on training on home repair and maintenance. Furthermore, because of their homeownership, several of our female homeowners advanced their academic education.

  Homeownership builds personal equity; owning a home is the most effective way to regain economic self-sufficiency and independence. Our homeowners change their socioeconomic status simply through homeownership. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity provides continued training and counsel for homeowners on personal budgeting and the ability to maintain home cost-effectively through working knowledge of repairs and potential costs.

  Not only does every dollar empower another family to break out of the cycle of poverty, but it also boosts the CNY economy. Each house that Syracuse Habitat for Humanity builds in turn impacts the CNY economy by an estimated $490,000. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homes improve property values and generate property tax revenues. During the construction process, our homes support local businesses through the purchase of materials and license contractor services. Money is also redistributed to the local economy through the extra disposable income that our homes provide to homeowners.

Our Staff

• Executive Director - Suzanne Williams
• swilliams@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• - Lisa Palleschi
• adminassist@syracusehabitat.org
• Construction Manager - Michael Brownfield
• mbrownfield@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• ReStore Manager - Alicia Sierrawolfe
• sierrawolfe@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-475-9172
• Volunteer Coordinator - Carl Sharak (volunteer)
• volunteercoordinator@syracusehabitat.org
• contact via email
• ReStore Clerk - Aaron Jones
• ReStore Clerk - Zeke Wright

Board of Directors

• Position	Recording Secretary
  Name	Helene Winnewisser
  Title	Vice President
  Employer	Keybank Area Retail Leader

• Position	Board President
  Name	Michael Centore
  Employer	Lamar Outdoor Advertising

• Name	Sean Daughton
  Title	CPA, Audit Manager
  Employer	Dannible and McKee LLP

• Name	Charles Anderson
  Employer	Recent Syracuse City Council Member

• Name	Gina Fortino
  Employer	Syracuse New Times

• Name	Brian Moore
  Employer	United Way of Central New York

• Name	Robert Teska
  Employer	Bowers and Company

• Name	Jeffrey Rogers
  Title	Principal
  Employer	Mueller Farms Landscaping Company

• Position	Board Vice President
  Name	Robert MacLeod
  Employer	Firley,Moran, Freer, and Eassa

• Name	Judy Colone
  Employer	Beacon Federal

• Name	Chad Rogers
  Employer	King and King Architects

Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Executive Staff

• Name	Suzanne Williams
  Title	Executive Director