Leadership & Funding Sources
Snow Belt Housing provides affordable, safe, and sustainable living solutions with the support of our dedicated Board of Directors, esteemed government officials, and both state and federal funders.
Their strategic guidance and governance ensure we stay true to our goals while effectively navigating challenges.
At Snow Belt Housing, we believe that our Board of Directors should reflect the diversity and unique needs of the communities we serve within Lewis County. We are committed to ensuring that at least one-third of our board members are representatives from low-income communities or residents themselves, providing an empowered platform for voices that resonate with and advocate for our community’s aspirations and challenges. If you or someone you know are interested in being considered for our board, please contact us.
Current Board Members
| Dennis Mastascusa | Owner of North Search, Inc. dba National Abstract | Chairman, elected to the board in 2004 |
| Nancy Fruin | Retired from Community Bank | Treasurer, elected to the board in 2009 |
| Michael Young | Attorney | Director, elected to the board in 1982 |
| Jeanne Wooding | Owner of Lyons Falls Bakery, LLC | Director, elected to the board in 2009 |
| Leah Murphy | Paramedic- USA MEDDAC | Director, elected to the board in 2022 |
| Linda Nortz | Retired from DSS | Director, elected to the board in 2018 |
| Joe Monnat | Retired- Community Bank | Director, elected to the board in 2022 |
| Andrea Wheeler | Real Estate Agent | Director, elected to the board in 2022 |
These partners enable us to align our projects with community needs and regulatory frameworks, to enhance our contributions to community development. Their generous backing is crucial to our success; it fuels our initiatives and strengthens our capacity to serve and expand.
Our collaborations with public officials are essential to the success of our initiatives at Snow Belt Housing. By working closely with these officials, we can adapt our approaches to be more impactful and sustainable, considering both the immediate and long-term needs of the community. Such cooperation also fosters a more integrated approach to community development, where projects are not only about building homes but also about nurturing community ties, enhancing local infrastructure, and supporting economic growth.
Moreover, the financial support we receive helps to fuel our ongoing projects and empowers us to scale our efforts and reach more individuals in need. With these funds, we can invest in innovative housing solutions, improve service delivery, and initiate programs that directly address the challenges faced by our region’s seniors, people who need housing, low-income, veterans, and people with disabilities. This support strengthens our operational capacity and amplifies our ability to make a significant and positive impact on community development, promoting a healthier, more vibrant community.
| New York State | |
| Governor | Kathleen C. Hochul |
| Lewis County Assemblyman | Ken Blankenbush, District 117 |
| Lewis County Senator | Joseph A. Griffo, District 47 |
| NYS Senator and Chair of Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development | Brian Kavanagh |
| Lewis County Representatives | |
| County Manager | Ryan Piche |
| District 01 | Phil Hathaway |
| District 02 | Lisa Virkler |
| District 03 | Ron Burns |
| District 04 | Ian Gilbert |
| District 05 | Richard Chartrand |
| District 06 | Andrea Moroughan |
| District 07 | Josh Leviker |
| District 08 | Chairman of Legislators – Lawrence Dolholf |
| District 09 | Thomas Osborne |
| District 10 | Jeff Nellenback |
Since our inception in 1982, we have been dedicated to transforming lives in Lewis County through substantial state and federal grant funding. These funds are crucial in providing low-income residents with grants and loans for home repairs and purchases, while also supporting our vital operations that significantly boost the local economy. Here, you can explore the diverse range of programs we offer and learn how we utilize these resources to make a lasting impact in our community.
Grant Program – Grant Background
Originally an arm of Lewis County Opportunities, Inc., Snow Belt was incorporated as a separate entity in 1982. As a Rural Preservation Program (RPP), Snow Belt receives an annual allotment from the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal in order to support housing preservation and community renewal activities in a designated service area. The amount of funding remained constant at $65,000.00 between 1982, when Snow Belt was first incorporated, and 2023 when the amount was increased by the state legislature to $121,783.33.Snow Belt’s service area is the County of Lewis, which has the eighth lowest income per capita of any county in the state.
To supplement the state RPP funds, Snow Belt applies for grant funds from federal and state sources under a competitive application process. These funds are used to provide low-moderate income county residents with grants and/or loans for critical home repairs, short term sheltering assistance and to support other locally identified housing improvement initiatves. The economic impact of Snow Belt in the local economy is significant. During its 42-year history, Snow Belt has provided over $20 million in federal and/or state assistance to over 1,000 local households throughout the county.
We are committed to maintaining the beauty of Lewis County and making sure that everyone has a safe home to live in. for more information please email information@snowbelt.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Serving our community Number, Tenure and Qualifications
The number of directors shall not be less than seven (7) and not more than fifteen (15); all of whom shall be members in good standing with the organization. One-third shall be assigned to one-year terms; one-third to two-year terms; and one-third will be elected annually. Before annual board elections, the Board may fill any vacancy, including those caused by death, resignation, or inability to function, as determined by the Board.
Director Representation
No more than one-third of the composition of the Board of Directors shall be public officials including any individual who is an elected or appointed member of any governmental entity; any individual employed by a governmental entity on a full or part-time basis; or any individual who has been appointed to the board of directors by a governmental entity even if that person is not otherwise a public official.
The Board of Directors should be representative of communities within the Rural Preservation Program service area of the Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc.; Lewis County.
A minimum of one-third of the composition of the Board of Directors will be representatives of a low-income community/neighborhood or low-income resident(s) of a community/neighborhood defined by HUD Section 8. An income certification form will be required for a low-income resident or representative of a non-low-income community/neighborhood. Some examples of low-income communities located in Lewis County are, as follows: Port Leyden, Osceola, Lyonsdale, Denmark.
Meetings
Board meetings will be regularly scheduled on the third Thursday of every month for approximately 1 hour.
Disclosure
Any director or officer having an interest in a contract or other transaction presented to the Board or a committee of the Board for authorization, approval or ratification, shall make a prompt and full disclosure of that interest prior to the Board or committee acting on such contract or transaction. The Board of Directors shall require at least annually the written disclosure of each director and officer of any interest he has or may have which is or reasonably might be construed to be in conflict with the best interests of the Corporation.
Anti-Harassment Provision
Harassment of any kind is neither productive nor appropriate to the workplace and will not be tolerated at Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. Any individual who is subject to verbally abusive language relating to gender, race, religion, or age, or who experiences sexually oriented physical touching, suggestive language, or other actions which create a hostile environment at work is encouraged to report such activity to the President immediately.
Compliance
