KEENE — A new affordable modular housing initiative has reached a major milestone as the first three buyers officially closed on homes at Both Meadow Trail, a permanently affordable modular housing development designed to address Keene’s growing housing challenges.
The four-home project, located off Route 73, was developed by Adirondack Roots, a nonprofit housing organization based in Elizabethtown. With three homes now sold, just one residence remains available.
“We’re excited to see these homes become a reality for local families,” said Caitlin Wargo, interim executive director of Adirondack Roots, in a statement. “Housing prices in our region have increased faster than wages, making it difficult for working residents to stay. This development helps ensure that people with stable jobs can continue living in the communities they support.”
Each two-bedroom, one-bath home was sold for $160,000, well below market value. That affordability was made possible through funding from the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal and the Adirondack Community Foundation, along with a shared-equity ownership model.
Under this structure, homeowners fully own their houses, while the land is held by the Adirondack Community Housing Trust. Residents lease the land for $300 per year and are responsible for property taxes. If a homeowner decides to sell, resale prices are restricted by a formula that limits price increases, and future buyers must meet income eligibility requirements.
For Alison Helm, the program meant finally putting down roots after years of housing uncertainty. A teacher assistant at Lake Placid Central School, Helm moved to the region from Connecticut in 2022 and spent three years renting and staying with friends while searching for stability.
“It’s incredibly hard to feel settled when you don’t have a place of your own,” Helm said. “Affordable rentals are nearly impossible to find, and homeownership felt out of reach — especially as a single parent.”
Despite the challenges, Helm stayed because of the community. “It’s a wonderful place to raise kids,” she said. “People here really look out for one another.”
Keene Town Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson emphasized the importance of developments like Both Meadow Trail in retaining local residents.
“So many people want to live and work here but can’t because housing is limited,” Wilson said. “Projects like this strengthen Keene, and we’re thankful to Adirondack Roots for making it happen.”
Interest in the homes was strong, with more than 30 applications submitted for the two-story modular units. The homes were manufactured by Simplex Homes and built on-site by O’Neil Contracting of Bloomingdale.
Teresa Cheetham-Palen, a Keene Town Council member and chair of the Keene Housing Task Force, highlighted the long-term vision behind the development.
“This project has been decades in the making,” she said. “Former Town Supervisor Tom Both sold this land to Adirondack Roots years ago, planting the seed for what has become a meaningful investment in Keene’s year-round vitality. I’m thrilled to welcome our new neighbors.”
This holiday season marks a first for Helm and her children — staying home.
“For the first time, we’re celebrating in a place that’s truly ours,” she said. “And knowing we won’t have to move again means everything.”
01.01.2026
More information: https://www.lakeplacidnews.com/news/local-news/2026/01/01/adirondack-roots-launches-keene-affordable-housing-complex/