AMSTERDAM -?After several months of planning and fundraising, Habitat for Humanity now has a home in Montgomery County.

The organizers were told earlier this month that after a lengthy application process, the first phase of forming their local affiliate was complete, and they could officially call their group Habitat for Humanity. The steering committee, or board of directors, which consists of 11 county leaders, met Thursday and heard from a representative of Habitat for Humanity International about what to do next.

Ramon Rodriguez, chairman of the Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity steering committee, said he first had the idea for the group two years ago. Rodriguez is director of the Resource Center for Independent Living in Amsterdam, a civil rights organization that works with people who have disabilities. While the RCIL is not affiliated with the new Habitat for Humanity group, Rodriguez said some of the cases he's worked on triggered his awareness of the housing need in Montgomery County.

The Fulton County Habitat for Humanity affiliate helped Rodriguez through the application process.

From there, the group held an interest meeting in April and raised the $2,000 needed to complete phase one of the Habitat for Humanity International application process, Rodriguez said.

"It's their way of guaranteeing the county is really interested in doing this," said Kimberly Denis, Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity co-chairwoman. "This money goes to the international program and they assist us in moving forward."

Denis works full-time in Amsterdam as the interim-director of the Montgomery County Office of the Aging.

"I think that the need is so great in Montgomery County, and we started talking about this a year back or so," Denis said. "I told Ramon, 'When you're ready, let me know. I want to be a part of it.'"

Though the group has not yet launched any formal fundraising or volunteer efforts, it has formed and appointed chairmen for a number of committees including construction, finance, fundraising, public relations and governance.

Since Habitat for Humanity International is a faith-based group, the local affiliate also has formed a church relations committee to reach out to local churches of all faiths to help create better housing in the county.

"I think we have good momentum going right now," said Rodriguez.

The local affiliate will now embark on phase two, a 12-step application process that must be completed within the next year.

Rodriguez said interested residents can find a way to contribute, no matter what their talents or financial means are.

"I'm excited about this, because anyone who wants to contribute will have the opportunity to do so," Rodriguez said. "If you can push a broom, you can contribute. I find that kind of unique compared to other efforts seeking peoples' contributions."

Habitat for Humanity affiliates are local-level groups that act on behalf of Habitat for Humanity International. The local groups are non-profit and independently run. The local Montgomery County affiliate will do its own fundraising and coordinate its own building sites, partner family selection, support, construction and mortgage servicing. In order to become an affiliate, the local organizers researched the county's affordable housing needs.

Rodriguez said the local affiliate will serve all of Montgomery County, starting with Amsterdam.

"There's some logic behind starting in Amsterdam because this is where the concentration of population is, and there might be some potential properties we can work with," he said.

Habitat for Humanity is designed to help families eventually own their homes. Habitat houses are sold with mortgages usually for a 20- to 25-year loan period, and payments do not exceed 30 percent of the family's income. A down payment of $500 is required at closing, according to the Fulton County Habitat for Humanity Web site.

A questionnaire for families to fill out and see if they're eligible for the program is available on the Fulton County group's Web site, hfhfc.com. Once they are approved, it can take from 18 months to two years for a family to move into its new house. Those selected must attend new-homeowner and budget-review classes.

As the economy in upstate New York continues to show little to no signs of recovery, Rodriguez said, the need for the group may be greater than ever.

"I don't have any hard facts, but I would think the need has increased as people continue to lose jobs and lose homes," Rodriguez said.

People interested in contributing to the group may call Rodriguez directly at 842-3561.

Amanda Whistle covers Montgomery County. She can be reached by e-mail at montco@leaderherald.com.