On a beautiful day in Trumansburg, community members, partners, and supporters gathered to celebrate a milestone years in the making—the grand opening of Village Grove Apartments. Hosted by INHS, the ribbon cutting ceremony marked the culmination of a bold vision, years of collaboration, and a shared commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and community.

A Vision Takes Root

The journey began in late 2016, when Claudia Brenner approached INHS with an ambitious idea: to transform a parcel of land in the Village of Trumansburg into a vibrant, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood. Her vision was clear—create a community that prioritizes people and the planet.

Seven years later, that vision has come to life. Village Grove stands as one of the most environmentally conscious and socially inclusive developments in the region.

Building for the Future

Village Grove is more than just a housing development—it’s a model for sustainable living. It is INHS’s greenest project to date, proudly earning both Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities certifications. These prestigious designations reflect the project’s commitment to energy efficiency, healthy living environments, and environmental stewardship.

The homes at Village Grove are designed with cutting-edge features:

• High-performance insulation and windows
• Balanced ventilation systems
• Climate-specific moisture control
• All-electric systems, including geothermal heating and cooling in the main building and air source heat pumps in the townhomes and nursery school
• Connection to off-site community solar
• Electric vehicle charging stations

These features not only reduce the community’s carbon footprint but also create healthier, more comfortable, and cost-effective homes for residents.

A Community for All

Village Grove includes 40 affordable rental apartments in a two-story elevator building and two townhome buildings, with units available to households earning between 30% and 90% of the area median income. The development is thoughtfully designed to be accessible and inclusive:

• Three homes are fully adapted for individuals with mobility impairments
• One home is tailored for someone with a hearing or vision impairment
• All units are visitable, ensuring accessibility to main living areas and at least one bathroom

Several homes are reserved for vulnerable community members, ensuring that those most in need have a safe, stable place to call home.

Supporting Families and the Future

Village Grove is also the new home of the Trumansburg Community Nursery School (TCNS). With over 60 years of service, TCNS now operates in a purpose-built facility that meets the growing demand for affordable, accessible childcare in the region.

In addition to rental units, the development includes ten for-sale townhomes that will be part of the INHS Community Housing Trust. This shared-equity program helps moderate-income, first-time homebuyers achieve homeownership while keeping housing affordable for future generations.

And for those seeking market-rate options, Sundial Development, owned by Claudia Brenner, offers nine for-sale lots ready for construction.

A Collective Achievement

Village Grove is a testament to what’s possible when vision meets collaboration. This project would not have been possible without the unwavering support of community members, partner organizations, funders, and elected officials. Their dedication and belief in the power of inclusive, sustainable development have brought this dream to life.

As the ribbon was cut, it wasn’t just the opening of a new housing development—it was the celebration of a thriving, resilient, and inclusive community.

Ribbon-cutting photo from left:

• Katelin Olson, Ulysses Town Supervisor
• Kate de la Garza, INHS Executive Director
• Chole Moore, Constituent Services Representative on behalf of Senator Lea Webb
• Linda Camoin, of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
• Village Grove Resident Katherine Stewart
• Rordan Hart, Village of Trumansburg Mayor
• Anne Koreman, Tompkins County Legislator
• Alexa Sewell, SVP of Multifamily Finance
• Deb Austic, Director of Trumansburg Community Nursery School
• Mary Bavis-Holland, Chief of Staff, Assemblymember Anna Kelles
• Leonard Skrill, Assistant Commissioner, NYS Homes and Community Renewal