People Inc. & Habitat for Humanity partner to provide accessible home in Youngstown

Project answers need for home ownership for people with disabilities

People Inc. Press Release

People Inc. is partnering with Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity to build an accessible, single-family home in the Village of Youngstown. This innovative collaboration addresses a critical need for affordable, accessible home ownership in Western New York.

Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity will manage planning and construction, while People Inc. will cover project costs. Once completed, the home will be sold to an eligible buyer through Habitat’s home ownership program, which serves households earning less than 80% of the area median income.

The Hinman Street property was donated to the former Rivershore Inc., which merged with People Inc. in 2016. Rivershore raised funds for an accessible residential project on the site prior to the merger, and those funds will be used to pay construction costs for the project. Groundbreaking on the three-bedroom home took place in October, with completion expected in summer 2026.

Once identified, the homeowner will be required to provide 100 hours of “sweat equity” in the home. This could include volunteering to help with construction or, if unable, an alternative means of meeting the requirement would be developed.

Images of the Hinman Street property courtesy of People Inc.

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“At Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to call home. Unfortunately, accessible homes often have higher costs associated with their construction,” said Gina Beam, executive director of Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity. “This means that, for many individuals with disabilities, those extra costs push home ownership out of reach. The features in accessible homes are a fundamental requirement for those wanting to live independently and participate in their communities. We cannot achieve housing equity without addressing both affordability and accessibility together.”

The home will be 2,015 square-feet with a 315-square-foot attached garage. The Village of Youngstown is primarily residential, but provides walkable access to stores, restaurants and parks, including Fort Niagara State Park.

“Owning a home is transformative. It provides stability, empowerment and a sense of belonging,” People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey said. “This project reflects our commitment to creating opportunities that enhance lives and communities. By partnering with Habitat for Humanity, we’re not just building a house; we’re opening the door to independence for someone who needs it most. This is innovation with impact.”

This project is People Inc.’s first home ownership initiative, complementing its extensive portfolio of 39 affordable apartment communities and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors and individuals who are deaf.

Home design will be completed by Barden Building of Middleport, in partnership with Long Associates Architects.

Images of the Hinman Street property courtesy of Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity.

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More about People Inc.: People Inc. provides health and human services that enrich lives and communities through innovation and supportive services. It offers a diverse array of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester regions. It also provides essential affordable housing options, communication access for the deaf, and supportive programs for seniors. For more information, go to people-inc.org.

More about Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity: NAHFH works with low-income families to help them build a decent, safe, affordable home. Through volunteer labor, tax-deductible donations of money and materials, it builds and rehabilitates homes for lower-income first-time homebuyers. NAHFH homeowners have provided more than $1 million in taxes to Niagara County, the cities of Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda, and their respective school districts.

Habitat homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are between 18% and 27% of a family’s gross annual income.

Since its inception in December of 1993, NAHFH has built or repaired more than 50 homes in Niagara County. This year, in addition to new affordable home ownership, Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity is completing nine owner-occupied critical home repairs in Niagara Falls and three in North Tonawanda.

NAHFH, along with the help of numerous volunteers, has completed 27 exterior home repairs and beautification projects in Niagara Falls.