As the housing crisis deepens across the region, Cayuga County nonprofit Homsite continues its decades-long mission to ensure residents have access to safe, affordable homes through rehabilitation programs, emergency repairs, and rental assistance.
Executive Director Erica Ryan joined host Guy Cosentino on Beyond the Front Page Thursday to discuss the agency’s evolving role and its response to rising housing needs throughout the county.
Founded more than 50 years ago, Homsite operates from Clark Street in Auburn and administers a range of programs, including home repair grants, mobile home replacement, and the federally funded Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Ryan said Homsite’s $2.3 million budget is largely funded by state grants, along with administrative fees from managing the voucher program. The organization employs nine staff and is governed by a diverse board that includes consumers, bankers, and local officials.
Among its most utilized services is the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) home repair program, which helps income-eligible homeowners address urgent issues such as roof leaks, failing furnaces, broken water lines, and more. Homeowners must be current on taxes and insurance to qualify.
“We probably do 15 to 20 furnaces and 10 to 15 water heaters a year,” Ryan said. “Roofs are big, too, and we’ve recently expanded into lead mitigation with the county health department.”
Another key offering is the Restore Program, which targets seniors over 60 in need of emergency repairs. The agency also runs a mobile home replacement program, replacing deteriorated units with modern, code-compliant housing. While the process can take up to two years due to environmental reviews and construction logistics, Ryan emphasized its transformative impact. “It’s one of my favorite programs—challenging but life-changing for families,” she said.
Homsite also manages several rental properties, including senior housing complexes in the villages of Cayuga and Weedsport, totaling 48 units, and smaller developments in Auburn. At its Clark Street headquarters, the agency provides nine single-room occupancy units for women.
The agency’s Section 8 voucher program currently supports around 450 households, though Ryan said that number is down from a high of over 600 due to recent state-level administrative changes and funding constraints. The state has placed a moratorium on new vouchers for 2025, citing budget concerns and the rollout of a new system. The waitlist now stretches well beyond three years.
“People are still applying, but we’re having to tell them it could be 2028 before they receive assistance,” Ryan said.
Lead poisoning in children remains a major concern, particularly in non-owner-occupied housing stock built before 1980. Homsite is partnering with the Cayuga County Health Department to identify and remediate lead hazards using state funds, with a focus on households where children have elevated blood lead levels.
As housing costs rise and older housing stock deteriorates, Ryan said the biggest challenge remains building safe, affordable housing at scale. “It’s not just about creating units—it’s about making sure they’re healthy, livable spaces,” she said. She added that Homsite is exploring ways to reclaim and rehabilitate zombie properties across the county.
For more information or to apply for assistance, residents can visit homsite.org.
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