Established in 1977 as a partnership between residents, funders, and local government, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services is a non-profit, community development corporation affiliated with NeighborWorks® America.
The INHS mission is to revitalize Ithaca’s neighborhoods-encouraging stability and diversity and to help people of modest incomes obtain affordable housing on a long-term basis.
INHS is committed to creating energy-efficient housing and sustainable communities that benefit residents of all income levels and occupations.
Below: Founding Board member Lucy Brown gives a short history of INHS and the evolution of its programs. One house at a time INHS stemmed the decline of housing within the City. Long-time residents remember the transformation. To newer residents driving around Ithaca today, it's hard to imagine the deteriorating neighborhoods in 1976, before INHS.
Our History - serving our community since 1977
Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services began with a new concept for "urban renewal" to reverse the deterioration of homes in the city of Ithaca by fixing them up, rather than tearing them down.
Our goal was to inspire others in the neighborhood to improve their homes and in so doing to create a positive and self-perpetuating cycle of neighborhood pride and bring renewed vitality to downtown Ithaca.
INHS built a community partnership joining city residents, local government, and the business community together to solve the community-wide problem of decline.
Since our inception in 1977, we have consistently eradicated neighborhood eyesores and made major improvements to the City of Ithaca's housing stock.
Long-time residents recognize that downtown Ithaca today looks very different today than the city as it appeared in 1977. Ithaca is often named in national "best places to live" lists and INHS is proud of the role we've played to make it so.
Some Highlights of INHS Awards
1985: New York State Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award
1986: Governor Mario M. Cuomo Distinguished Housing Service Award
1986: Presidential Commendation, Private Sector Initiative for Exemplary Community Service
1989: Historic Ithaca & Tompkins County Award for preserving the historical character of a community
1995: NeighborWorks New York Excellence in Lending Award
1996: N.Y.S. Division of Housing and Community Renewal Award Certificate of Appreciation for devoted and invaluable service to the housing community
1997: Special N.Y.S. Division of Housing and Community Renewal Award for 20-year history of preserving neighborhoods
1999: Dorothy Richardson Award to founder and INHS Board member Lucy Brown for community leadership and community-based development
2001: Pride of Ownership Award from City of Ithaca and Ithaca Rotary for the landscaping of its rental properties
2003: Tompkins Community Action Award for Exceptional Service for INHS' Property Management Program
2004: Historic Ithaca Preservation Award for INHS recycled house at 402 S. Plain Street in Ithaca
2008: NeighborWorks America, for the 14th time, INHS received national recognition for "Best Practices for Not-for-Profit Housing Management" by
2009: Cedar Creek Apartments receives a Pride of Ownership Award from the City of Ithaca and Ithaca Rotary Club
INHS Certifications
• U. S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Counseling Agency
• N.Y.S. Division of Housing and Community Renewal Community Housing Development Organization and Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC)
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Certified Lender under the Energy Smart Loan Program
• Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) Full Cycle Lender
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star® Builder
• U. S. Green Building Council
INHS Affiliations
• Ithaca Board of REALTORS®
• Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce
• Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County
• Neighborhood Preservation Coalition
• NeighborWorks Chartered Member
• Living Wage Employer
• Tompkins County ReBusiness Partner
• The Business Council Member