As reported in The Columbia Paper last month, plans for Bell's Pond are taking shape. This ambitious project reflects a shared vision of the Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing and Conservation, which brings together the Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC), Trillium Community Land Trust, Scenic Hudson, and Columbia-Greene Habitat for Humanity.

Representatives from each organization were on hand to discuss their roles and to bring guests through the plan to transform 143 acres of former farmland in Greenport and Livingston into clustered, climate-friendly, affordable homes and a community green space, restoring streamside and meadow habitats and establishing an accessible trail system and a public conservation area.

The Habitat team gathered in Albany this week for Capitol Build Day at the State Capitol, showing our legislators that we need their support to keep building. Two years ago, the first walls of our Niverville home started on this very site.

​Thanks to all NY state volunteers!

If you’ve been over to the Restore, then you’ve likely been greeted with a warm, smiling hello from Shauna, our first featured staff member. Shauna’s been a vital part of the team for almost a year now, joining before our recent move to Livingston, where she’s now a staple of the shopping experience, always ready to help folks find what they need and carry on a fun conversation in the process. She’s also quick to point people to Habitat’s mission, and we’re proud to have her aboard. Get to know her below, and stop by and say hi.

When did you start working with Columbia-Greene Habitat for Humanity Restore, and what do you enjoy most about the job?

I started working here in July 2025. Working here is like Christmas every day. New items come in all the time…you never know what you're gonna get. The customer base is amazing. What I like most is the team I work with. We're like family. I also enjoy our open-door policy for volunteers. No task is too big or too small. We have volunteers from In-Flight and Coarc who come weekly to help out. It also helps them prep for future jobs of their own. The gift that keeps on giving is what I always say.

What does a typical workday look like?

Like the store, it changes constantly. Getting ready for items to get picked up, making room for new things to come in. Definitely mission-driven, fast-paced, and flexible.

What do you want people to understand about the work you do?

I’d like them to know Habitat’s overall mission: to make housing affordable.

Any favorite businesses nearby?
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Our favorite place to go is Stewart's. Their tea, coffee, and doughnuts keep us going lol. Our second-favorite Jojo's Pizza is right down the road. Every Saturday, we order from there to keep us fueled. It’s our busiest day. 

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate our community and the grand opening of our new Restore location in Livingston last weekend (Saturday, May 2nd). We are especially grateful for all the volunteers who helped make the event happen and to Alltown Fresh for providing refreshments. The sun broke just enough for a lovely afternoon of open discussion, model home tours, and special recognitions. We presented awards to the first-ever Community Builder honorees: Chris Brown, Ed Herrington, Inc. (accepted by Allison Neumann), Mary Howard, and Didi Barrett, all of whom shared inspiring words. 

​Several outlets were kind enough to preview the day, including The Columbia Paper, Rural Intelligence, Porcupine Soup, Radio 104.5 FM, and News10 ABC Albany. The latter spoke with Executive Director Al Bellenchia and Construction Manager Donald Hills about the recent Niverville home build, the Rural Starter Home Initiative, and the lead-up to May 2nd:

The Daily Gazette's Spencer Walsh was present on Saturday and published an excellent summary, some of which is below:

Read the full story at The Daily Gazette. Event photography by Luca Pearl Khosrova of Catskill Photo Studio.

Our first-ever Community Builder Awards recognize organizations, individuals, and local and state officials who have made significant contributions to Habitat's mission. We'll celebrate them this Saturday, May 2nd, at "Building on our Foundation." Today's featured community builder is Ed Herrington, Inc. 

For most of Columbia-Greene Habitat’s 30+ years of operation, Ed Herrington, Inc. (DBA Herrington’s) has been a partner in supporting CGHFH’S mission and operations. Herrington’s is a locally owned and operated Lumber, Millwork and Building Supplies company with Columbia County locations in Hillsdale, Hudson, and Chatham, NY. The company has a one hundred and twenty year history of providing quality products and valued services to Columbia County home builders, the trades and home owners. Herrington’s proudly supports CGHFH programs that offer a pathway to affordable housing, and was a founding sponsor of critical home repair work through the “Habitat Helping Hands” program and ReStore. Visit herringtons.com for more information.

We are just a few days away from "Building on our Foundation," CGHFH's community celebration and Restore grand opening this Saturday, May 2nd. Alongside home tours, info stations, and refreshments during the event, we'll be recognizing our first-ever Community Builders Award honorees. Today's community builder in focus is Mary Howard.

Mary Howard of Clermont, New York, is a dedicated community volunteer whose decades of service have strengthened both local institutions and the lives of her neighbors. With a deep commitment to civic engagement and public service, Mary has contributed her time, energy, and leadership across a wide range of organizations in Columbia and Greene Counties.

Mary’s extensive contributions are made possible by the steadfast support of her husband of 35 years, Dan Howard. Together, they share a strong commitment to community, service, and family.

For over 20 years, Mary and Dan served as firefighters with the Kiskatom Fire Department, demonstrating courage, reliability, and an enduring willingness to help others in times of need. Their service in emergency response reflects a lifelong devotion to community safety and mutual support.

Mary is also actively involved in local government. She currently serves on the Clermont Planning Board and the Board of Assessment Review, where she plays a key role in guiding responsible development and ensuring fairness in property assessments. Her thoughtful approach and attention to detail have made her a valued contributor to these boards. In addition, Mary assisted the Town of Clermont in the adoption of a new Comprehensive Plan and updated Zoning Code, helping to shape the town’s future while preserving its character and heritage.

Her dedication extends to cultural institutions as well. Mary serves on the Board of Trustees of the Germantown Library, supporting access to knowledge, literacy, and community programming. She has also been a volunteer with Columbia Greene Habitat for Humanity, where she focuses on the Habitat Helping Hands program, assisting homeowners with essential repairs and improvements that enhance safety and quality of life.

Faith and fellowship are also central to Mary’s life. She is an active member of her parish, Holy Trinity, where she contributes her time and talents in service to the congregation and broader community.

Outside of her many volunteer roles, Mary has a passion for fiber arts. An accomplished knitter, she is on the path to earning her Expert Knitters Certificate, a testament to her creativity, patience, and enthusiasm to mastering her craft.

Through her volunteerism, civic involvement, and personal pursuits, Mary Howard exemplifies the spirit of community leadership and generosity.
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Ahead of CGHFH's community celebration and Restore grand opening this Saturday, May 2nd, we're highlighting the honorees of our first-ever Community Builders Award, who will be recognized at the event. Today's featured community builder is Didi Barrett.
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Didi Barrett was elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election in 2012, becoming the first woman to represent the 106th Assembly District which includes parts of both Columbia and Dutchess County. She brings decades of experience as a writer, museum professional, and not-for-profit leader to her role in the Legislature. She serves as Chair of the Assembly’s Energy Committee and is a member of the Committees on Agriculture, Environmental Conservation, and Tourism.

A longtime Hudson Valley resident, Barrett is passionate about supporting and protecting the region’s rich agricultural, environmental and cultural history. She has been a tireless advocate for women and girls, founding the Dutchess Girls Collaborative to support young women and was instrumental in launching the North East Dutchess Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Fund for Columbia County.

As we approach "Building on our Foundation," CGHFH's community celebration and Restore grand opening this Saturday, May 2nd, we're highlighting organizations, individuals, and local and state officials who have made significant contributions to Habitat's mission. Each will be recognized with our first-ever Community Builders Award at the event. Today's featured community builder is Chris Brown.

Chris joined Pattern for Progress in April 2026 as a Senior Research Planner and the Program Manager for the Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing and Conservation. He holds the distinction of being the first graduate of the Pattern Fellows Program to become a member of the team.

Prior to joining Pattern, Chris served in a number of community development and nonprofit administration roles. As the Housing Development Coordinator for the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, he led the Columbia County Housing Task Force, created the Columbia County Land Bank Corporation, and was a founding board member of the Trillium Community Land Trust. During this time, Chris led a county-wide effort to certify every municipality as a New York State Pro-Housing Community. Columbia County remains the only county in the state to reach this milestone. 

In previous roles, Chris was a Community Planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, where he provided housing policy assistance to 30 towns and 2 cities; a Senior Planner charged with reviewing site plans in Sarasota, Florida, and; worked for the city of Troy, New York's Planning Department, where he co-created the Troy Community Land Bank and managed the city's vacant building rehabilitation strategies.

Chris holds a bachelor's degree in public policy from the University of Albany. His current work focuses on the intersections of affordability, livability and sustainability. In his free time, Chris enjoys exploring the rich scenic landscapes of the Hudson Valley and partaking in all forms of cinema.

In Spring 2024, Columbia-Greene Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a 1/2-acre lot purchased in Niverville, in an established community of modest ranch-like homes. 

Construction started at the NY State Capitol grounds, as part of Habitat NY State’s biennial “Capitol Build Day.” There, some 300 volunteers came together to build the panels for the home, following assembly plans created by our construction team. It became proof of concept that this design could be constructed off-site and easily transported.

Fast forward to 2026, and the Niverville house is now complete and waiting for a family. We are making progress on securing a site to construct clusters of these homes as part of the Rural Starter Home Initiative.

Below are pictures showing our path to progress. Thanks to all involved.