Housing Consortium launches "Give Housing a Voice" campaign

For Immediate Release:

Contact: J. Lawrence-Bauer

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 845-331-2140 x263

Housing Consortium launches "Give Housing a Voice" campaign

Add Your Voice to Housing Choice!

Kingston, NY -- April 19, 2010 - The long awaited "Give Housing a Voice" program developed by the Ulster County Housing Consortium (UCHC) will be launched in a multi-media event sponsored by Birchez Associates LLC to be held at The Birches at Esopus on May 6, from 5 – 7 pm. At the event, a new advocacy website underwritten by Ulster Savings Bank will be unveiled and residents and business owners will have an opportunity to participate in county-wide efforts to guarantee a healthy housing mix in their communities.

An outgrowth of the Three-County Regional Housing Needs Assessment underwritten by the Dyson Foundation, the Give Housing a Voice campaign seeks to inform county residents and leaders on a wide range of housing facts and needs and motivate communities and their residents to become proactive about housing choice.

Anchored by a website that gathers local and national research information along with real life stories and situations that offer accurate up-to-date information on Ulster County's housing infrastructure, the campaign will offer on-line petitions, posters, billboards and other media messages. Michael Berg, Chairman of the UCHC said that "The purpose is to raise awareness about affordable workforce housing, sufficient housing supply at all income levels and the need for implementation of balanced land use and smart growth planning techniques."

As they tour The Birches at Esopus and enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres, launch attendees will learn about what they can do to guarantee a healthy housing mix. "The housing business is everyone's business," said Kevin O'Connor, Executive Director of Rural Ulster Preservation Company. "By many measures, housing is the number one driver of the economy in Ulster County," O'Connor added noting that last year alone, his agency helped deliver $10 million in rent checks to landlords of Ulster County residents. "If that's just one agency, with one segment of the housing population, imagine what the entire market must be."

Birchez Associates’ Managing Member Steve Aaron, who has developed and continues to manage four affordable housing communities for seniors and one community for work-force housing in Ulster County hopes other private sector business people will get involved. "The folks who live here at The Birches at Esopus are our parents, our aunts and uncles, our former neighbors. Some are veterans. Most were or still are members of our local workforce. They are shoppers, voters, grandparents and volunteers in our hospitals. Everyone should be paying attention to their housing needs."

Marjorie Rovereto, President and CEO of Ulster Savings Bank shared Aaron's concern. "We see the importance of housing to our community every day, in every way. Our employees, our customers, our colleagues and our community institutions can't function effectively without a good housing mix. We hope many other local businesses agree and support this campaign as we did."

Individuals, local business, civic and government organizations can sign on to messages at no cost and sponsor public service messages at low cost to help increase awareness and motivate action. Anyone with an interest in housing is welcome to attend the launch but advance reservations are required. Directions, further information and RSVPs for anyone interested in attending are available by contacting Joan Lawrence-Bauer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 845-331-2140 x263.