2006 Housing for Everyone winners

(Newburgh) - The TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation and TD Banknorth Inc announced on Monday the metropolitan New York winners of their 2006 “Housing for Everyone” grant competition. More than $675,000 in grants were awarded in eight states, including $25,000 in the lower Hudson Valley area. One $15,000 grant was awarded to Community Capital Resources and one $10,000 grant to Hudson River Housing, Inc.

According to Wendy Suehrstedy, President and CEO of TD Banknorth’s Mid-Atlantic Division, the reason for the competition was to “encourage innovation, creativity and feasibility in solving affordable housing issues.”

To be eligible to win, proposals had to target very-low, low- and moderate-income individuals and families, and demonstrate a measurable increase in the availability of affordable housing or increase the opportunity to obtain affordable housing. The competition was also open to organizations in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

“We believe that Community Capital Resources and Hudson River Housing, Inc, exemplify the mission of TD Banknorth’s ‘Housing for Everyone’ grant competition - to increase the availability of and access to affordable housing in our communities,” said Wendy Suehrstedt. “TD Banknorth is committed to development and retention of safe affordable housing in the lower Hudson Valley area, and we look forward to working with these organizations to address this issue on a local level.”

The TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation provides grants in all markets in three specific areas of focus, economic empowerment, youth development, and community support.

Each year goals are established to help meet the needs of low- and moderate-income families, small businesses and deserving not-for-profit organizations. They help low-income families buy homes, provide small businesses with the support that they need and more.

Community Capital Resources, formerly known as the Westchester Housing Fund, intends to utilize its grant to expand its staff and services to Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties.

Hudson River Housing will use its grant to fund The NeighborWorks Home Ownership Center of Dutchess County. The Center will offer a host of programs, products and services dedicated to helping low to moderate-income households in Dutchess County achieve homeownership.

Pictured Above from Top to Bottom: Wendy Suehrstedt, President and CEO, TD Banknorth Mid-Atlantic Division presents a check for $15,000 to Kim Jacobs of Community Capital Resources.

Wendy Suehrstedt, President and CEO of TD Banknorth Mid-Atlantic Division presents a check for $10,000 to Mary Linge of Hudson River Housing Inc.