November workshops scheduled

The Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (AHP) has partnered with the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) to promote transit use by new homeowners. Beginning this month, CDTA will offer free bus passes to new homeowners through AHP’s affordable housing programs.

The transit incentive program is designed to reduce single occupant vehicle (SOV) travel, fuel consumption, air pollution and parking demand by promoting travel options like mass transit.  

To be eligible, interested homeowners must simply purchase a home using any of AHP’s many homeownership assistance programs.  The home purchased must be within half a mile of an existing CDTA bus route.  Program participants are eligible to receive two 7-day monthly Swiper passes for each household for up to two years.  [Click here for a program flyer.]

 “When it comes to regional planning, housing and transit are clearly interrelated,” says Susan Cotner, AHP’s Executive Director. “This partnership builds on the connection between where people live and how they get around and is a win-win opportunity for everyone involved.”

“Participating in programs like these is a way for us to attract new riders,” says Ray Melleady, CDTA Executive Director. “New Home buyers near CDTA routes are given a free, no risk opportunity to reduce their commute costs and their carbon footprint.” Based on APTA calculation formula program participants can save over $6,000 in transit costs per person per household if they give up a car and take the bus. The variable cost includes the cost of gas, maintenance and tires. The fixed cost includes insurance, license registration, depreciation and finance charges. The comparison also uses the average mileage of a mid-size auto at 23.4 miles per gallon and today’s price for self-serve regular unleaded as recorded by AAA at $2.074 a gallon. The analysis also assumes that a person will drive an average of 15,000 miles per year.  The savings assumes a person in a household gives up one car.

AHP has promoted affordable housing opportunities for nearly twenty years. The organization’s programs promote affordable homeownership opportunities while helping existing homeowners keep their home. Staff offers educational workshops, grants, credit counseling and one-on-one assistance to help first-time buyers become successful.

The Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region Inc. (AHP) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and support affordable homeownership in the Capital Region. For more information contact Susan Cotner, Executive Director, Affordable Housing Partnership, 255 Orange Street Albany, NY 12210, (518) 434-1730 or visit AHP’s website at www.ahphome.org.

Since 2005, CDTA in partnership with the Capital District Transportation Committee participates in 5 other transit incentive home ownership programs in the region: The Albany Midtown program launched in 2005, The Schenectady Housing Development Fund Corporation launched in 2007, The South End Improvement Corporation in Albany, Better Neighborhoods, Inc., and TRIP Neighbor Works Homeownership Center.  As part of program requirement, participants must complete entrance and exit surveys regarding their travel behavior to assess its effectiveness in converting people from single occupancy vehicles to mass transit.  Travel Demand Management programs are funded by the Federal Transit Administration from Congestion Management and Air Quality (CMAQ) program.  This program

The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) offers over 50 easy to ride public bus routes throughout the region, including 29 routes connecting to downtown Albany.  CDTA system map and riders guides are available at CDTA schedule racks, public libraries, and local tourist agencies and online at www.cdta.org.  For more information, call (518) 482-8822 or visit www.cdta.org.  

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Click here for a program flyer.