News

December 20, 2017

Apartment Association Holiday Party Benefits Rensselaer Family Homeless Shelter

The New York Capital Region Apartment Association member holiday party raised $875 and gathered numerous household items all to benefit St. Paul’s Center, an emergency homeless shelter for mothers and children.

“Each year, NYCRAA adopts a nonprofit to benefit from the members’ generosity,” Deb Pusatere, the association’s president explains. “This year, we were drawn to the mission of St. Paul’s Center, and because we deal with the housing industry, we felt it was the perfect partnership. The association members care deeply about their communities and want to help out the nonprofits that extend a helping hand to community members in need.”

“When I met with a board representative and explained that families come to our shelter with very little and most of what they own is in black trash bags, she immediately connected us to Deb Pusatere” explained Tracy Pitcher, St Paul’s Center executive director. “With more than 25% of the population living paycheck to paycheck, one significant event – a fire, a code violation, relationship break-up, job loss, expensive car repair – can force a family into homelessness. Last year, the shelter was 100% occupied and this year, we are on track to serve the same number of families.”

The NY Capital Region Apartment Association (NYCRAA) was founded with the purpose of joining together small and large owners of real estate for their mutual benefit. The organization is comprised of owners and managers of multi-family rental properties and other entities such as vendors, who work in fields related to the housing industry. Through an organized program of information, project development and educational seminars, the Association keeps its members informed on all phases of the multi-family housing industry. Through their affiliation with the National Apartment Association, NYCRAA is able to bring the perspective, resources, and information from a national organization representing over 5.2 million apartment units.