GROWING HOMES
Housing Security for farmers
PROGRAMS
Growing Homes is developing two programs in its first year, in response to the need for affordable rental housing, and for building farmer housing.
Room for a farmer
A program in development to unlock existing housing to rent to farmers by encouraging property owners to consider long term affordable rentals to their local farmer. Primarily an outreach/education program with matchmaking support and rental assistance resources.
​
We are partnering with HomeShare Ulster County to provide affordable rentals for farmers. HomeShare Ulster County (HSUC) is a home sharing program that matches a Home Provider (with extra room in their home or a studio or cottage on their property) with a Home Seeker looking for an affordable rental and that may include a task exchange as part of the arrangement (providing transportation, pet care, light house or yard work). This occasional ongoing help exchange is NOT home care for elders or infants. Home sharing is NOT for immediate or emergency housing needs, short term stays or to take the place of need in home health aides or childcare.
HomeShare takes applications from Home Providers and Home Seekers and follow up with a thorough interview conducted by trained HomeShare Ulster County staff. Applicants are carefully vetted and this includes background, credit and reference checks. Matches are based on preferences, common needs, interests and lifestyle. The process also includes a two-week trial period to ensure that the match is agreeable to both parties, and if not, the applicants remain in our program for future matches. There is no fee for this service and HomeShare Ulster County staff remain in contact with the Home Provider and Home Seeker throughout the process.
​
Resources:​
​
Ag adu
A program in development to partner with homeowners (both farmers and non farmers) to build Accessory Dwelling Units that are ​
-
restricted to agricultural workers
-
are permanently affordable
-
affordable to build
-
are environmentally responsible
Inspired by the Plus One ADU grant.
​
We are exploring piloting our Ag ADU at Sugarshack Mushrooms, a year-round, family-run organic mushroom farm in New Paltz, NY. Since 2018, they have been growing sustainably in the forest, and in their historic barn and passive solar greenhouse.
Partnerships
Growing Homes is developing several partnerships to build housing and create access to housing through the Hudson Valley and surrounding region. We partner with farms, Community Land Trusts, Land Trusts, affordable housing nonprofits and municipalities.
​
West Branch Commons
Developing a partnership to protect, rehab a 4-bedroom farmhouse to rent to farmers on the farmland that West Branch Commons is raising money to save. West Branch Commons is a Community Land Trust in Delaware County, made up of the following farms:
​
-
Serra Vida Farm, led by a queer, BIPOC farmer, provides culturally relevant produce to the Bronx and Delaware County, feeding families and fostering community connections.
-
Iridescent Earth Collective is an anti-capitalist land stewardship farm project, centering the experiences of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and Persons of color in our work. In collaboration with our partners and friends we are establishing socio-political infrastructure founded on radical authenticity, grassroots community care and mutual aid work to benefit these vulnerable and representative members of our farming community.
-
Tom, the former owner of River Haven Farm, remains a cornerstone of the community, mentoring new farmers with his mechanical expertise and deep connection to the land.
Land in Black Hands Farm
We have developed a partnership with KWEST YouthBuild and the Underground Center to build an off the grid eco-cabin, the Commons Cabin, to provide housing for Land in Black Hands farmers. Land In Black Hands (LIBH) is a land-based program focused on restoring Black and Indigenous relationships with land through cultural reclamation, ecological stewardship, and community empowerment. As a program of the Kingston Land Trust, LIBH provides a platform for healing, education, and regenerative land practices.
Taproot
Community land Trust
We are exploring how to partner with Taproot CLT to secure land for farmer housing that Growing Homes can then build on and rent out. TapRoot Community Land Trust creates Community-Controlled Affordable Housing. It is a nonprofit housing organization based in Kingston, serving Ulster County and surrounding areas. Each home placed into the trust is permanently designated for affordable home ownership, serving household after household, generation after generation, thereby protecting and stabilizing the community as a whole.