Home Again Initiative

Home Again: West Hill Neighborhood

“Reviving community infrastructure to support our neighbors’ basic needs—and welcoming them home again.”

For over ten years, The Eden’s Rose Foundation has been rooted in Albany’s West Hill neighborhood—bearing witness to the rising toll of abandoned, vacant, and neglected properties. These buildings aren’t just eyesores—they are symbols of disinvestment, and they create dangerous gaps in stability, health, and opportunity. The COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by decades of systemic inequality, has only deepened this crisis.

Home Again is our response.

We are transforming vacant properties into safe, dignified, and affordable homes for individuals and families who have been displaced, underserved, or targeted by predatory housing practices. Our work doesn’t stop at shelter—we’re building an entire ecosystem of support that fosters healing, empowerment, and long-term stability.

The Problem

  • In Albany’s 12206 zip code (West Hill), 22% of homes sit vacant—a staggering disparity compared to the city average of 15%.
  • Vacant homes contribute to violence, disease, poverty, and premature death, particularly among individuals facing homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges.
  • Many families—especially Black, Brown, immigrant, and low-income households—are being pushed out by a housing system that was never designed for their survival, let alone their success.
  • Redlining, disinvestment, and neglect have created a legacy of poverty that continues to impact the community today.

The Home Again Solution

We’re not just building homes—we’re building hope. It’s not a hand-out, it’s a hand-up. 

In 2022, we began renovation on two multi-unit buildings, providing five units of affordable, low-barrier housing. But that’s just the beginning.

Our approach:

  • Housing First Model: We prioritize access to housing without prerequisites like sobriety, employment, or program compliance.
  • Community Rehabilitation: We acquire and restore vacant properties in partnership with local contractors—reinvesting directly in the community.
  • Wraparound Support: Through partnerships with organizations like St. Catherine’s Center for Children, we aim to provide rental assistance, trauma-informed care, and service navigation to every tenant.
  • Pathways to Growth: Residents can access employment training, volunteer opportunities, and life skills development through programs like Albany Victory Gardens and the Produce Pickup Project.

Who We Serve

  • Formerly homeless individuals and families
  • People facing addiction or mental health challenges
  • At-risk youth, refugees, and low-income families
  • Community members impacted by systemic racism and housing injustice

We prioritize those who are most vulnerable, yet often last in line for housing or services. Our goal is not only to house people, but to empower them with tools for long-term success.

The Ripple Effect

Every vacant home we restore becomes:

  • A safe haven for a family in need
  • A boost in neighborhood value
  • A reduction in crime, poverty, and health disparities
  • A pathway to generational stability

Join the Movement

You can help us revitalize West Hill from the inside out—one home, one family, one block at a time.

Your donation helps us acquire and restore more properties.
Your volunteer hours help us maintain gardens and green spaces.
Your voice helps us advocate for a housing system rooted in justice and compassion.Let’s bring our neighbors home again—and build a future that includes everyone.