Ulster County Habitat for Humanity

What Ulster County Habitat for Humanity does

Ulster County Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Kingston, New York. It operates within a single county (Ulster County, NY) using a 9-employee staff supplemented by local contractors and 200+ active volunteers. Its core product is the construction and sale of energy-efficient single-family homes (typically 3-bedroom, 2-bath, ~1,300 sq ft, ENERGY STAR standards) to working families earning 50-70% of Area Median Income, structured around a 'hand-up' model: 200-400 hours of partner-family sweat equity, comprehensive homebuyer education, and an affordable mortgage capped at 33% of gross household income. The organization has built 24-25 homes cumulatively since 1996, with 13 more planned for 2025-2027, anchored by the Hope Springs 10-home community in Saugerties — the first Habitat-led development in New York State — groundbreaking February 2026, completion expected late 2027.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit social enterprise. ReStore, a discount furniture and home improvement thrift store opened in 2013, generates 'hundreds of thousands' of dollars annually from ~30,000 shopper-visits and ~85,000 items sold, diverting 425+ tons of materials from landfills. Revenue is supplemented by monetary donations (from ~2,000 annual donors, including monthly recurring gifts), vehicle and real estate donations, stock gifts, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, foundation grants (e.g., $12,500 from M&T Charitable Foundation in March 2026), corporate construction sponsorships, and a recurring stream of mortgage payments from partner families. Supporting programs include the Veteran Roof Project (with Owens Corning), Ramps Program, Homeward Bound pathway program, Homebuyer Education Series, and Women Build 2026 peer-to-peer fundraising.

Distribution is community-led and event-driven: a physical retail storefront at 406 Route 28, Kingston; online donation portal; direct-to-applicant homebuyer intake; and active construction sites at Port Ewen and Saugerties. Go-to-market leans on the Habitat for Humanity International brand, peer-to-peer fundraising (Women Build), Women Build and ReStore pop-up events, an email newsletter program, organic social media, and earned local media coverage. Recent regulation (October 2025 New York State legislation signed by Governor Hochul) creates property tax incentives for nonprofit-built affordable homes, and the organization is led by CEO/Executive Director Christine Brady LaValle with a Board chaired by Morgan Bitton.

Name

Ulster County Habitat for Humanity

Legal name

Ulster County Habitat for Humanity

Website

https://ulsterhabitat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ulster County Habitat for Humanity is a Kingston, New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and sells energy-efficient affordable homes to working families earning 50-70% of Area Median Income, funded by a ReStore thrift store, donations, grants, and mortgage payments, with 24-25 homes built since 1996 and a 10-home Hope Springs development underway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Residential Green / High-Performance Home Construction (Net-Zero, Passive House) (IMAFABAH), Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE)

Keywords

• Affordable housing construction
• Nonprofit home building
• Community development housing
• Thrift store fundraising
• Volunteer home construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston, New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. ReStore Sales: The ReStore operates as a discount furniture and home improvement retail center selling donated materials and goods. Approximately 30,000 shopper-visits per year generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for housing construction. The store accepts donated furniture, appliances, building materials, artwork, and housewares, reselling them at reduced prices.
2. Monetary Donations: Direct financial contributions from individuals, businesses, and organizations. Monthly recurring gifts are encouraged. Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
3. Vehicle Donations: Accepts donated vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs) running or not, processed through car donation program partnership.
4. Real Estate Donations: Accepts developed and undeveloped real estate in Ulster County. Properties unsuitable for Habitat homes are sold with proceeds supporting the mission.
5. Stock Donations: Charitable gifts of appreciated stock held over 12 months offer two-fold tax benefits: avoidance of capital gains tax on appreciation and full fair market value deduction.
6. IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions: Donors 70.5+ can transfer up to $100,000 annually directly from IRA, reducing taxable income while fulfilling required minimum distributions.
7. Grants and Corporate Sponsorships: Foundation grants (e.g., $12,500 from M&T Charitable Foundation for Hope Springs doors) and corporate construction sponsorships (e.g., D. Rohde Home Services HVAC sponsorship) provide targeted funding for construction projects.
8. Homebuyer Mortgage Payments: Partner families purchase homes with affordable mortgages. Monthly payments (mortgage, insurance, taxes) designed to be no more than 33% of gross household income. Proceeds fund future builds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ulster County Habitat for Humanity constructs affordable energy-efficient single-family homes for working families in Ulster County earning 50–70% of Area Median Income, who purchase the homes at subsidized prices after completing 200–400 sweat-equity hours and homebuyer education. The affiliate operates a ReStore discount furniture and home improvement thrift store that sells donated goods to fund construction, and runs supporting programs including a Homebuyer Education Series, Homeward Bound preparation pathway, Veteran Roof Project, accessibility Ramps Program, and the Women Build peer-to-peer fundraising event.

Product overview

Ulster County Habitat for Humanity operates as a non-profit affordable housing organization offering a coordinated portfolio of programs centered on homeownership. The core offering is the Habitat Home Construction program, which builds energy-efficient homes for families earning 50-70% of Area Median Income. The ReStore thrift store is a major fundraising mechanism selling donated furniture and building materials. Supporting services include the Homebuyer Education Series (financial literacy and homeownership prep), Homeward Bound (pathway program for aspiring homebuyers), Women Build (peer-to-peer fundraising/build events), Hope Springs Development (10-home community), Veteran Roof Project, and Ramps Program (accessibility modifications). The organization also hosts community events including the ReStored Kintsugi Workshop series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ReStore: A discount furniture and home improvement center that sells donated materials at reduced prices to support the mission of building affordable homes.
• Women Build
• Homeward Bound

Products and services

• Habitat Home Construction Core homebuilding program constructing energy-efficient 3-bedroom, 2-bath, ~1,300 sq ft single-family homes for working families earning 50–70% of Area Median Income in Ulster County, sold at subsidized prices after sweat-equity and homebuyer education.
• ReStore Thrift Store Discount furniture and home improvement thrift store at 406 Route 28, Kingston, selling donated goods to fund Habitat construction while diverting 425+ tons of materials annually from landfills. Open Wednesday–Saturday 10am–5pm with ~45,000 annual shoppers and 85,000 annual items sold.
• Homebuyer Education Series Comprehensive financial and homeownership education program covering budgeting, credit building, mortgage preparation, debt reduction, fire safety, and homeowner responsibilities, delivered with TD Bank, Primerica, Walden Savings Bank, Mid-Hudson Valley FCU, The Institute for Family Health, and Kingston Fire Department.
• Homeward Bound Pathway program for prospective homebuyers who do not immediately meet Habitat homeownership criteria, providing financial literacy and preparation to help them qualify for an affordable mortgage.
• Veteran Roof Project Partnership with the Owens Corning national Roof Deployment Project providing new roofs at no cost for qualifying veterans in Ulster County earning less than 80% of Area Median Income with honorable discharge. Active since 2016 nationally with 475+ military roofs delivered.
• Ramps Program Installation of temporary or permanent wheelchair ramps for Ulster County homeowners with documented medical need earning 30–80% of Area Median Income; offered as no-interest loans over two years for qualifying applicants.
• Women Build Peer-to-peer fundraising and build week program engaging 20 teams of five volunteers (each raising a minimum $2,500) to advocate for and construct affordable housing at the Hope Springs development site.
• ReStored Kintsugi Workshops Meditative art workshop series teaching Japanese pottery repair techniques using donated ceramics sourced from the ReStore, with proceeds supporting the affordable housing mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24-25 homes built since 1996; 13 more planned for 2025-2027
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• D. Rohde Home ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Became Construction Sponsor for Doris Street home in Port Ewen. Owner Dan Rohde secured HVAC equipment at cost from Daikin and donated his labor costs. Provided comprehensive heating/cooling installation for energy-efficient home.
• Service Excavation (Anthony Roddy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExcavation contractor providing heavy equipment, expertise, and unwavering commitment. Anthony Roddy shown at Hope Springs groundbreaking, converting empty land to foundation-ready lots.
• Primerica / The Institute for Family HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Debt Reduction and Budgeting workshop and Life Insurance workshop as part of expanded Homebuyer Education Series. Michelle Rawl from Primerica coordinated educational content for partner families.
• TD BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanking expert Nick Altomare walked participants through entire homebuying process, demystifying mortgage options and qualification requirements during Homebuyer Seminar workshop.
• Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit union experts taught participants how to build and maintain strong credit profiles - essential for mortgage qualification and managing finances as a homeowner.
• Walden Savings BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in Homebuyer Education Series providing financial education expertise and workshop support.
• Kingston Fire Department (Chief Chris Rae)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided essential fire safety education including smoke detector placement, exit planning, and fire prevention. Class held on-site at nearly completed home in Saugerties for hands-on experience.
• DaikinsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld's largest HVAC manufacturer specializing in high-efficiency heating, cooling, ventilation. Provided HVAC equipment at cost for Doris Street home through D. Rohde Home Services partnership.
• Ulster BOCEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary program students provided lunch at Community Foundations visit; Electrical Technology students ran electrical at 52 Bromley Rd build. Ongoing partnership for student volunteer engagement.
• Mt. AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembers joined Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley build site visit, participating in community gathering around mission.
• Michael Van Nort (MVN Design)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner donated time and talent to stage completed home at 149 Doris Street using more than 50% furnishings from ReStore. Focus on sustainable, cost-effective furnishings and local artists.
• Shana Luther (Shana Luther Interior Design)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner donated creative energy to stage 149 Doris Street home. Collaboration with Michael Van Nort to bring intentional, warm design using ReStore finds.
• Kingston Design ConnectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on design-related initiatives. ReStore Manager Lee Anne Albritton mentioned open house collaborations with Kingston Design Connection.
• Rycor HVACsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner visiting Truss Day at Port Ewen site to see progress firsthand. Understanding that affordable housing strengthens Ulster County's economy and workforce.
• State Senator Michelle HincheymajorOthersSponsored landmark affordable homeownership legislation signed by Governor Hochul in October creating property tax incentives for nonprofit-built homes sold to low-income buyers. Provided funding from office for Hope Springs.
• County Executive Jen MetzgermajorOthersJoined Hope Springs land dedication celebration. County-level support for affordable housing project.
• Saugerties Supervisor Fred CostellomajorOthersJoined Hope Springs land dedication ceremony, celebrating project's community impact at local government level.
• Owens CorningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Roof Deployment Project partnership since 2016. More than 475 military members received new roofs nationwide. Local Habitat affiliate verifies eligibility and submits nominations.
• Kevin KobasicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer builder and animator who donated live caricatures at 30th Anniversary ReStore pop-up. Donated time AND tips to Ulster Habitat.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rebuilding Together: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing through home rehabilitation and repair, like Ulster's Veteran Roof Project and Ramps Program. Comparable mission around preserving affordable homeownership for low-income households.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of affordable housing and community development nonprofits. Ulster Habitat could be considered a peer within the broader affordable housing nonprofit ecosystem, with similar homeowner education and lending programs.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global parent organization that Ulster County is an affiliate of. Provides brand recognition, programmatic resources (like the Owens Corning Roof Deployment), and access to national funding - the umbrella entity whose model Ulster replicates.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Major national nonprofit developer and financier of affordable housing. Comparable in affordable housing mission and partnership model, though at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Habitat for Humanity of New York State: State-level Habitat organization supporting affiliates including Ulster. Comparable in mission and provides statewide advocacy, training, and resources that shape Ulster's operating environment.

Direct peers

• Dutchess County Habitat for Humanity: Neighboring NY Habitat affiliate serving Dutchess County with the same affordable homeownership model, volunteer-driven construction, and ReStore revenue model. Direct comparable in scale, geography, and program structure.
• Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County: Regional Habitat affiliate with similar size and scope including ReStore, homeownership program, and volunteer-driven construction. Comparable in organizational structure and program mix.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland: Mid-sized Habitat affiliate with active ReStore operations and similar mid-sized nonprofit staff structure. Comparable in scale, ReStore revenue model, and program breadth; offers a benchmark for what a mature mid-sized affiliate looks like.
• Habitat for Humanity of Westchester: Another NY State Habitat affiliate operating in a higher-cost housing market with similar homeownership program requirements and ReStore operations. Comparable in mission, programmatic structure, and donor/volunteer model.
• RUPCO (Rural Ulster Preservation Company): Local Ulster County affordable housing and community development nonprofit. Operates similar affordable housing programs and rehabilitation services in the same geography, making it a direct competitor for grants, donors, and partner families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/ulstercountyhabitatrestore
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UlsterCountyHabitatforHumanity
• Facebookfacebook.com/ulstercountyhabitatrestore
• Instagraminstagram.com/ulsterhabitatrestore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ulster-county-habitat-for-humanity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ulster County Habitat for Humanity