Livingston County has announced the successful completion of a mobile home replacement initiative that provided three families with energy-efficient homes, thanks to a $550,000 grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal Mobile and Manufactured Home Replacement Program.
Awarded in late 2022, the funding enabled the county to partner with the Livingston County Land Bank to serve rural property owners often left out of larger public infrastructure programs. The project, finalized in November 2024, not only replaced aging mobile homes but also installed modern septic systems, providing significant upgrades in living standards for families in Conesus, Nunda, and Springwater.
“This grant was a great opportunity to serve our rural residents,” said Board of Supervisors Chair David LeFeber. “Ensuring affordability and quality of housing is a critical part of Livingston County’s infrastructure.”
The new homes boast Energy Star certifications and include features such as highly efficient furnaces, LED lighting, heat-retaining windows and doors, and water-conserving plumbing fixtures. These improvements are projected to save homeowners 30% or more on energy costs while reducing their carbon footprints.
For Ruth Concepcion and Sean Daley of Conesus, the benefits of the program have been life-changing. Selected through a lottery process, Concepcion expressed gratitude for the program. “When this program became available, I was in tears,” she said. “I strongly encourage eligible applicants to apply when the county does it again. It was a blessing.”
The energy savings were immediate, with Concepcion noting her first electric bill was nearly half what it used to be. The homes’ state-of-the-art insulation and appliances also reduce maintenance needs, offering a fresh start for families previously burdened by aging, inefficient structures.
The Livingston County Land Bank was instrumental in administering the initiative. “These homes offer families not only a beautiful new residence but also a fresh opportunity for stability,” said Dan Pangrazio, Chair of the Land Bank Board. “The partnership between the county, the Land Bank, and Cattaraugus Community Action was integral to the project’s success.”
Livingston County officials hope to replicate the program in the future, addressing critical housing needs in rural areas.
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