- By Marcia E. Lynch
- Business & Technology
Print 
Dan and Polly Kiely
The reception will celebrate the program’s success over its first 14 years. The event, entitled Reception and Reflections on Homeownership in Tompkins County, is scheduled to take place at South Hill Business Park, across from Ithaca College.
Since 1993, Better Housing for Tompkins County has delivered the homeownership program, with support from the Tompkins County Planning Department. The program is funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and New York State Governor’s Office for Small Cities Community Development Block Grants awarded to the County.
Through the program, Better Housing provides educational workshops, one-on-one financial counseling and down payment assistance in the form of a grant or low interest loan to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers. So far, the program has loaned $4.6 million in mortgage funds, generating $14.1 million from local mortgage lenders.
The reception marks the closing by 250th homebuyers Dan and Polly Kiely a few weeks ago. The Kielys spoke with Better Housing a few days after the closing. Better Housing officials provide the following profile of the new homebuyers:
Dan and Polly Kiely have been in Ithaca together for over 12 years. After receiving their degrees, they knew they wanted to stay in the area. They had been talking about buying a place for four years, and about a year ago, Polly notes, they “felt ready.” “It was after the third time the upstairs neighbor held drum rehearsal at night,” added Dan.
While they knew it was time, the couple was not very excited about all the paperwork that goes with securing financing. With all the forms plus all the research to do into getting their finances ready for ownership, it was a lot to take on. When Dan and Polly came to see Rosie Zifchock for housing counseling, Dan was skeptical. “I didn’t want to end up in a money pit. There was a lot to sort through, but Rosie broke things down for us and helped us understand the numbers. By the time we left I had a complete turnaround; I was much more hopeful.”
Dan and Polly were surprised to learn how much little changes could matter; by reducing their credit card debt by just a few dollars they could afford several thousand dollars more in house value. The couple also got a boost in savings from the First Home Club at HSBC, which matched their savings to be used for the closing.
In the meantime they looked at a lot of houses with the help of their friend and new real estate agent, Jill Rosentel. They wanted to feel like part of a community, where they could walk places and drive only short distances. Their perfect home is the one they bought in Trumansburg. “It’s the right size, the price was great, and it didn’t need too much maintenance...was everything we needed.” It’s also right near a bus stop, providing a convenient way for Dan and Polly to get to their jobs near the Commons.
To others who are thinking of buying their first home, Dan says, “It’s completely doable. It takes time and effort, but it is doable.” And the rewards are great. “I’m ecstatic”, adds Polly. “I can’t wait to get in there. I danced around the yard last night!”
Along with the Kielys, the reception program will include Better Housing Director John Spence; Dan Lamb, representative of Congressman Maurice Hinchey; county legislator Martha Robertson, who chairs the Legislature’s planning committee; and county Planning and Public Works Commissioner Ed Marx
At its June 5th meeting, the Tompkins County Legislature commended Better Housing and the Planning Department for their achievements related to the Homeownership Program.
----v3i21