David Lee is reporting for The Columbia Paper Columbia County Habitat for Humanity dedicated its two newest homes in Columbia County, February 17. The two, newly constructed attached homes located on Main Street in Valatie, will now be occupied by the Beaucage and Pratt/Sullivan families. The houses were the 19th and 20th completed Habitat projects in the county. At the dedication event, Habitat Executive Director Brenda Adams thanked a long list of professional services and material providers, before the blessing was pronounced by the Reverend Stark Jones and the families were introduced. U.S. Rep. John Faso was present for the dedication and said that the event was “a perfect example of a non-profit doing great work in the community, with community volunteers and private sector and some government assistance.” To be eligible for a Habitat house, families must be currently living in substandard housing, take a course in home ownership, have a clean credit rating and an income to maintain a mortgage. They are also required to put in at least 300 hours of work on the construction of the house. Habitat is now accepting homeowner applications for a proposed project in Ancram. The deadline for applications is March 16. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.