In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly sits down with Sharon Horton, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. With a rich background spanning hospitality and major nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and NAMI, Sharon brings a wealth of operational and advocacy expertise to the region’s housing challenges. Sharon discusses the profound, generational impact of homeownership, the organization’s strategic pivot to modular building to combat rising costs and weather delays, and the exciting new initiatives on the horizon—including a powerful “Women Build” project in Hudson Falls.
Key Takeaways
- The Reality of the Habitat Model:Habitat for Humanity is a hand-up, not a hand-out. Families earning between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) must demonstrate financial readiness, establish a clear housing need, and invest “sweat equity” hours into their home or the local ReStore.
- Strategic Adaptation:To serve more families efficiently amid rising construction costs and unpredictable North Country weather, the organization is shifting from traditional stick-builds to high-quality, airtight modular homes.
- Empowering Women:The upcoming Hudson Falls project will feature a “Women Build”—a home built for a woman, by women, supported by a 4-week competitive fundraising campaign led by local female leaders.
- The Secret to Nonprofit Success:Standing out in a crowded charitable space requires listening first. Meeting donors, volunteers, and board members where they are and aligning with their passions is the key to sustainable growth.
- Building the Infrastructure:The affiliate is actively seeking passionate board members with diverse skill sets (real estate, marketing, law, construction) to help scale their operations and eventually transition into multi-unit townhome developments.
More Information
- Learn more, apply, or donate:Visitglensfallshabitat.org.
- Shop or Volunteer:Check out the Southern Adirondack ReStore located right on Route 9 in South Glens Falls for unique, high-quality furniture and building materials.
