The First Ward Action Council is a community-based developer and provider of
housing and housing services. Founded in 1980, the organization opened an
office in 1982 on Clinton Street in the First Ward neighborhood of Binghamton,
New York. It has been a member of the New York State Neighborhood Preservation Program
since then.
Over the years the organization has grown significantly and today provides
housing services throughout Broome County and Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
The organization is certified by HUD as a Community Housing Development
Organization for Broome County and Susquehanna and Bradford Counties in
Pennsylvania.
Currently, the organization is managing several storefronts and more than 120
apartments, including fully accessible units, for families of all sizes. Senior
housing complexes include the Schoolhouse Apartments at
St. Cyril’s in Binghamton; the Vestal Pines Apartments on Route 26 in Vestal and the
Choconut Creek Apartments in Choconut Township, PA.
The Action Council also operates a home-repair service for senior citizens in Broome County. Since 1986, the Broome County Home Repair Service has completed thousands of
repairs for elderly residents struggling to maintain their homes while living
on retirement incomes. Exterior stairs are rebuilt, wheelchair ramps installed,
and leaky faucets fixed with eligible seniors being responsible for only the
cost of materials.
Dependent on the availability of funding, grants are also available for owners
to renovate their homes. Additional information regarding eligible areas and
program guidelines is available from the office.
Historic Preservation has been a long time focal point of the Action Council. With the intent of providing attractive housing and revitalizing the street, the
organization has renovated more than 13 historic homes on the Front Street
gateway into Binghamton. Its efforts have received several awards and
recognition in Victorian Homes magazine.
The First Ward Action Council can be reached by telephone (607) 772-2850 and
e-mail at fwac-admin@stny.rr.com. It office is located in a historic building
it renovated at 167 Clinton Street in Binghamton, New York.
