Through partnerships with other agencies, local government, and state and federal funding sources, Better Housing for Tompkins County has worked to develop and improve housing opportunities for low and moderate income individuals, families, older people and the disabled in rural Tompkins County since its inception in 1981.

To make our vision come true, Better Housing staff, board and volunteers have devoted great many hours developing a strategic plan for the coming three years.

Better Housing provides a range of services; services which help low-income families become first-time homebuyers, or complete the needed rehabilitation to stay in older but affordable housing. Better Housing also assists the elderly and disabled with the repairs that they need to maintain independent living, and provides seniors and families with accessible, comfortable apartments to rent.

Hundreds of families are assisted each year through the agency's ongoing commitment to the preservation and creation of affordable housing. Our services can continue to grow through your help! There are many types of donations and all are greatly appreciated.

Numerous community agencies, businesses and individuals support affordable housing in Tompkins County by partnering with our programs and/or contributing financially to our agency. Many of them can be visited through our links.

Our Mission: Recognizing that people deserve to live with dignity, Better Housing for Tompkins County, Inc. is dedicated to increasing sustainable, secure and affordable housing options for rural residents though construction,education and advocacy.

Our Vision: Better Housing for Better Communities and Better Lives

Agency Values:

1. Collaboration. Our staff, board, clients, partners, volunteers and donors make up the Better Housing family. We strive to build long-term relationships with everyone in our family to address the affordable housing needs of Tompkins County residents.
2. Opportunity. Management concerns itself with problems. Leadership concerns itself with opportunities. We seek ways to be innovative and efficient in our approach to affordable opportunities in Tompkins County.
3. Improvement. We are dedicated to continuous improvement based on identifying outcomes for our programs and our organization. It is our policy to regularly evaluate our progress toward these outcomes.
4. Knowledge. Affordable housing is a complex issue. Increasing the understanding