The Joyce House is dedicated in Hoosick Falls

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, along with The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, formally dedicated on Oct. 19 its latest housing initiative: The Joyce House, two units of affordable housing located in Hoosick Falls.

The need for affordable housing has risen dramatically during the past few years, in part exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationwide, 46 percent of renters were considered “cost burdened” in 2019, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing, according to a report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. As renters disproportionately faced job losses and cutbacks during the pandemic, low-income renters were most affected with the highest percentage of any income bracket reporting arrears.  

The Joyce House was made possible through funding from The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation and accounts for two of 43 affordable single-family apartments operated by Catholic Charities in the 14-county region of the Diocese. 

“The unfortunate reality is, there are simply not enough safe and affordable homes in our Diocese," said Vincent W. Colonno, Catholic Charities CEO. "Housing disparity continues to grow in our region, and we’re seeing more and more of our neighbors turn to us for help in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we still have a long way to go, these two affordable homes are certainly a much-needed step toward housing equality in the Diocese. I am incredibly grateful to The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation for making the Joyce House possible.” 

The building takes its name from Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, who served as the CEO of Catholic Charities for 20 years before passing away in 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. A Sister of Mercy for 49 years, she leaves behind a legacy of social and economic justice and care for people living in poverty. 

“It is very fitting that this house is named in honor of Sister Maureen Joyce, a former board member of the foundation and an advocate for serving and empowering people in need. "We are pleased to be here to honor her memory and the work done by Catholic Charities in Hoosick Falls,” said Daniel J. Hogarty, Jr., president of The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. 

The Joyce House is operated by Catholic Charities Housing Office, an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. Catholic Charities Housing Office provides affordable housing and support services designed to help people in the Diocese who are living in poverty or have limited means of income. 

“Safe, healthy, and affordable housing is a vital need in our region, and Catholic Charities has worked faithfully to increase its availability. The foundation is proud to have supported the renovation and opening of the Joyce House,” said Leslie Cheu, executive director of The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. 

Meghan Meyerson, director of Development for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany added: "We at Catholic Charities are proud to provide vulnerable families with units they can comfortably afford and that truly feel like a home. This project wouldn't have been possible without the generous support and partnership of the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation — to them we are sincerely grateful."