Do you have dreams of becoming a first-time homeowner, but it feel it’s out of reach? Are you on a fixed income and wondering if you’re in a position to buy a home, perhaps the last of your lifetime? Do you have a gut feeling your home in Albany could be more energy efficient? Do you have a landlord threatening to wrongfully sue as an intimidation tactic? You may not realize it, but there’s an incredible network for Albany homeowners and homebuyers at the ready to support you.

AHP Homeownership Center, located on Orange Street, is an education, advocacy and finance center working to help Albany residents navigate challenging financial, legal, and homeownership issues. Their partnership with NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Association, helps residents evaluate the energy efficiency of their homes and guide applicants through the process of making improvements, including those made through grants. They are also partnered with The United Tenant Association, The Legal Project, and Albany Community Land Trust, all working toward providing and maintaining affordable housing for our Albany residents. And, they run regular classes to help inform residents of their rights and opportunities such as tenant rights, landlord classes, and financial planning guidance.

If you’d like to learn more, AHP Homeownership Center has an extensive list of resources and contacts on their well-maintained and thorough website. And stay-tuned for part two of this series, when we will detail one Albany couple’s experience working with another Albany support system: The Albany Community Development Agency.