FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nDate: August 10, 2022
\nContact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org,
\n518.891.6200<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ANCA and CDI will host \u201cCo-op 101\u201d about cooperative housing on August 17<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. \u2014 A number of local organizations and community groups are tackling the region\u2019s
\nhousing crisis from various fronts. In an effort to provide an affordable and sustainable alternative for
\naspiring homeowners, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), in collaboration with the
\nCooperative Development Institute (CDI), is exploring an option that has not been fully developed in the
\nregion \u2014 cooperative housing.<\/p>\n
The two economic development organizations invite local individuals, families and employers to attend
\nthe first of three learning sessions that will delve into what cooperative housing is and how it can benefit
\nco-op residents and the broader community. Presenters will also introduce an unprecedented
\nopportunity for a cooperative housing group to utilize a gifted property near the heart of Lake Placid.
\nThe event will take place at the Lake Placid High School auditorium on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from
\nnoon to 2:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt their core, cooperative models of ownership function on \u2018one member, one vote,\u2019 so each member is
\nequally represented and has the opportunity to weigh in on different kinds of decisions,\u201d said ANCA
\nEntrepreneurial Economy Program Director Danielle Delaini, who is coordinating the Cooperative
\nHousing project.<\/p>\n
Delaini said cooperative residents can help decide about resources and services that are offered, like a
\nplayground, community garden, bike storage, meal swaps, or shared spaces and services. \u201cPart of what\u2019s
\nexciting about cooperatives is the flexibility for members to mold it to their needs,\u201d she said.
\nOnce a steering committee of future owner-residents is formed, CDI will support the group in planning
\nfor a parcel of land in Lake Placid that has been committed by AnantaFO Foundation LLC to develop into
\na housing cooperative.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited to be working with CDI on cooperative ownership in the housing sector,\u201d said ANCA
\nExecutive Director Elizabeth Cooper. \u201cHousing co-ops provide a sustainable option for local people who
\nare eager to own a home but might otherwise be priced out of the market. We hope this effort will serve
\nas a model for other North Country projects in the future \u2014 empowering future owner-residents and
\nexpanding ANCA and CDI\u2019s capacity to provide leadership for the region’s cooperative housing sector.\u201d
\nOver the last three years, ANCA and CDI have teamed up to offer education and technical assistance for
\nNorth Country businesses interested in transitioning to employee ownership. Their expertise, in addition
\nto other services provided by ANCA\u2019s Center for Businesses in Transition partnership, helped Ward
\nLumber of Jay and Malone, N.Y. become a worker-owned cooperative in March 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen some great momentum in the North Country region around cooperative enterprise, and
\nwe look forward to bringing collaborative home-ownership opportunities to the community,\u201d said
\nKatherine Bessey, Director of Cooperative Business Services at CDI. \u201cWe are very excited about this
\nopportunity to collaborate with our valued partners at ANCA to address the lack of affordable housing,
\nand are grateful for the generous land donation that has created this opportunity to explore
\ncommunity-supported solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The August 17 \u201cCo-op 101\u201d learning session will include a presentation from CDI that provides an
\noverview of cooperative housing and addresses frequently asked questions. The presentation will be
\nfollowed by a question and answer discussion. ANCA and CDI plan to offer two more learning sessions to
\nbe scheduled based on the needs of those interested.<\/p>\n
The session is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to register at bit.ly\/3AV5hC9 or when
\nthey arrive. For people who are interested but unable to attend the August 17 in-person event, a virtual
\noption featuring a recording of the presentation with a live question and answer session will be offered
\nat a later date. Questions may be directed to ANCA at housing@adirondack.org or 518.891.6200.
\nANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity
\nacross northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses,
\nand equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value
\nin local communities.<\/p>\n
Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) is the Northeast\u2019s Center for cooperative business education,
\ntraining, and technical assistance. CDI is an independent Center, a 501(c)3 founded in 1994 by
\ncooperative leaders across industry sectors to work with people in the Northeast to create cooperative
\nbusinesses and networks that grow a prosperous, equitable rural economy with healthy, robust,
\nsustainable rural communities. While our focus is rural and regional, we contribute to innovative
\neconomic and community development strategies on national and global levels.<\/p>\n
Attached: one (1) PDF
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: August 10, 2022 Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org, 518.891.6200 Learning Sessions to Address Local Affordable Housing Crisis ANCA and CDI will host \u201cCo-op 101\u201d about cooperative housing on August 17 LAKE PLACID, N.Y. \u2014 A number of local organizations and community groups are tackling the region\u2019s housing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n