FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 10, 2022
Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, aschwartzberg@adirondack.org,
518.891.6200
Learning Sessions to Address Local Affordable Housing Crisis
ANCA and CDI will host “Co-op 101” about cooperative housing on August 17
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — A number of local organizations and community groups are tackling the region’s
housing crisis from various fronts. In an effort to provide an affordable and sustainable alternative for
aspiring homeowners, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), in collaboration with the
Cooperative Development Institute (CDI), is exploring an option that has not been fully developed in the
region — cooperative housing.
The two economic development organizations invite local individuals, families and employers to attend
the first of three learning sessions that will delve into what cooperative housing is and how it can benefit
co-op residents and the broader community. Presenters will also introduce an unprecedented
opportunity for a cooperative housing group to utilize a gifted property near the heart of Lake Placid.
The event will take place at the Lake Placid High School auditorium on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from
noon to 2:00 p.m.
“At their core, cooperative models of ownership function on ‘one member, one vote,’ so each member is
equally represented and has the opportunity to weigh in on different kinds of decisions,” said ANCA
Entrepreneurial Economy Program Director Danielle Delaini, who is coordinating the Cooperative
Housing project.
Delaini said cooperative residents can help decide about resources and services that are offered, like a
playground, community garden, bike storage, meal swaps, or shared spaces and services. “Part of what’s
exciting about cooperatives is the flexibility for members to mold it to their needs,” she said.
Once a steering committee of future owner-residents is formed, CDI will support the group in planning
for a parcel of land in Lake Placid that has been committed by AnantaFO Foundation LLC to develop into
a housing cooperative.
“We’re excited to be working with CDI on cooperative ownership in the housing sector,” said ANCA
Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. “Housing co-ops provide a sustainable option for local people who
are eager to own a home but might otherwise be priced out of the market. We hope this effort will serve
as a model for other North Country projects in the future — empowering future owner-residents and
expanding ANCA and CDI’s capacity to provide leadership for the region’s cooperative housing sector.”
Over the last three years, ANCA and CDI have teamed up to offer education and technical assistance for
North Country businesses interested in transitioning to employee ownership. Their expertise, in addition
to other services provided by ANCA’s Center for Businesses in Transition partnership, helped Ward
Lumber of Jay and Malone, N.Y. become a worker-owned cooperative in March 2021.
“We have seen some great momentum in the North Country region around cooperative enterprise, and
we look forward to bringing collaborative home-ownership opportunities to the community,” said
Katherine Bessey, Director of Cooperative Business Services at CDI. “We are very excited about this
opportunity to collaborate with our valued partners at ANCA to address the lack of affordable housing,
and are grateful for the generous land donation that has created this opportunity to explore
community-supported solutions.”
The August 17 “Co-op 101” learning session will include a presentation from CDI that provides an
overview of cooperative housing and addresses frequently asked questions. The presentation will be
followed by a question and answer discussion. ANCA and CDI plan to offer two more learning sessions to
be scheduled based on the needs of those interested.
The session is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to register at bit.ly/3AV5hC9 or when
they arrive. For people who are interested but unable to attend the August 17 in-person event, a virtual
option featuring a recording of the presentation with a live question and answer session will be offered
at a later date. Questions may be directed to ANCA at housing@adirondack.org or 518.891.6200.
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity
across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses,
and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value
in local communities.
Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) is the Northeast’s Center for cooperative business education,
training, and technical assistance. CDI is an independent Center, a 501(c)3 founded in 1994 by
cooperative leaders across industry sectors to work with people in the Northeast to create cooperative
businesses and networks that grow a prosperous, equitable rural economy with healthy, robust,
sustainable rural communities. While our focus is rural and regional, we contribute to innovative
economic and community development strategies on national and global levels.
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