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History & Milestones
What’s In a Name?
IF CA is the Interfaith Council for Action, Inc. doing business as Innovations for Community Advancement. Most know IFCA by, simply, its acronym, an historical moniker that is recognized and respected in the communities we serve.
Although IFCA was founded in 1968 with a coalition of local faith-based institutions, IFCA does not maintain any faith-based alliances. Beyond rents, IFCA relies solely on private donations and available government funds which are decreasing at an alarming rate year after year.
The “Worst House on the Block”
As the oldest neighborhood preservation company in Westchester County, New York, IFCA’s traditional model was to buy the “worst house on the block,” renovate and rehabilitate it, and rent apartments at below market value to local working families. IFCA also provided apartments for those who were transitioning from homelessness to independence via County grant programs.
Often, after IFCA bought and renovated that “worst house”, revitalization of an entire block or neighborhood would occur. Others in the community saw the improvements and would buy or rent in the same area. This model worked effectively for many years with IFCA developing ancillary programs and services for those they now housed.
Through this model, IFCA presently provides affordable/workforce housing for more than 100 families.
- 21 buildings rehabilitated since 1972
- 88 rental units in 14 owned and operated properties
- Property management for 16 additional units
- Two low-income housing tax credit projects of 19 units.
Other Milestones
- As a pioneer in the development of transitional housing resources for the homeless, IFCA began to develop emergency apartments and has operated as many as 20 scatter-site emergency apartments in Ossining through the Westchester County Department of Social Services Emergency Housing Apartment Program (EHAP) program.
- IFCA also has managed from one to three low-income housing tax credit projects per year
- IFCA opened Job’s Refuge, the first family shelter in Westchester County in July 1987.
- IFCA was a co-founder of a low-cost primary care center that is now the Open Door Family Health Care Center
 In 1995, in collaboration with the New York Medical College, IFCA created the first Interim Lead-safe House in Westchester County.
- IFCA is the primary fiscal sponsor of the Ossining Farmers’ Market in downtown Ossining
- Ossining’s first community swimming pool was made possible largely to IFCA’s efforts.
- One of two community agencies that provided case management services to over 100 families through the Westchester County Dept. of Planning’s Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program.
- A retail-clothing co-op for low income families was established by IFCA volunteers.
- Sponsor of “Embracing Ossining,” a cultural arts organization.
These accomplishments are reflective of IFCA’s individual and community investment in the future of its first neighborhood preservation area in Ossining, New York.
Mission
To foster, promote, and sponsor better housing, recreational, educational or social conditions for the less privileged members of the community at large.
Programs & Services
IFCA’s services are not limited to housing. In fact, IFCA has social workers on staff providing an essential counseling and case management component. In addition, clients are given the opportunity to participate in various self-development workshops all with an eye towards fostering independence and self-reliance.
For example, IFCA offers:
- Case management for homeless families that are placed in IFCA’s emergency housing by the Department of Social Services (DSS).
- Tenant advocacy
- Referrals
- Assistance with DSS paperwork
- Counseling
- Crisis intervention
- Eviction prevention
- Back-to-School supplies
- Free tax preparation to tenants and local residents who are income eligible
- First-time home ownership information and referrals
IFCA provides certain services to tenants only, based on need and availability.
Clients
Present…
 IFCA’s clients are predominantly low and moderate-income families. Nearly half of its tenants are children. Many are seniors and/or disabled yet are the primary caregiver for the children. Sixty-seven percent are African-American, 18% are Hispanic, and 15% are Caucasian.
Future…
With housing costs soaring and working incomes not keeping pace with the actual cost of living in our service territory, IFCA is increasingly receiving inquiries from young, working couples and families who seek to live in our communities, either because they grew up here or are working in or around the New York City metropolitan area. This compels us to alter our model, as needed, and seek creative opportunities to extend our service area and number of units available to preserve our community’s future.
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Mark J. Seiden Real Estate Inc.
80 Spring Street, Ossining, NY 10562
520 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
Direct: (914) 762-2200 • Office Fax: (914) 762-5626
E-Mail: info@homeman.net
Web Site: www.homeman.net
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CARPET GIANT
139 Croton Ave.
Ossining, NY 10562
914/762-5068
2006 Sponsor: Kitchen Tile Replacement Program
E-Mail: info@carpetgiantossining.com
Web Site:carpetgiantossining.com
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Board of Directors
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kimberlie Jacobs, Chair
Reginald Bush, Vice Chair
Linda Levine, Secretary
Robert Rosenbloom, Treasurer
Genieve Brown Metzger
Michael Byfield
Martha Dodge
Marlene Cheatham
DIRECTORS
Terry Fleischman
Virginia Knowles
Holly von Bernuth
Jacqueline Warner
Marnel Ashpole
Mary Ann Roberts
Next / Contacting our Staff
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Staff
All staff can be reached via e-mail or at (914) 941-5252.
Use the extensions listed, as needed.
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