Solar Barnraising at Historic Mascot Flats

Join Habitat for Humanity of New York City and Westchester County, Habitat for Humanity of New York State, GiveSolar, and Solar One as we launch our work in NYC, starting with Mascot Flats. You can expect food, drinks, homeowner stories, and a valiant effort to move some donated solar panels to the roof! Forty years ago, volunteers came together to these apartments for home ownership. Today, we're coming together again to ensure they remain affordable for decades to come. ​This September, during NYC Climate Week, we're hosting a solar barnraising—bringing volunteers, residents, and partners together to prepare for and celebrate the installation of rooftop solar on the historic Mascot Flats Habitat Coop building. Mascot Flats is the first Habitat for Humanity project President Jimmy Carter worked on. Forty years ago, volunteers rehabilitated the building as the first Habitat project in New York City and the first-ever Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. We’re returning today to begin the next chapter. ​More than a celebration, this event marks the launch of our coordinated work across New York state to put solar panels on Habitat for Humanity homes. This collaboration represents a partnership between GiveSolar and Habitat for Humanity state and local organizations in 16 states across the country to build a model for equitable residential solar. Our goal: to reduce the energy burden for Habitat families and highlight the importance of the affordable housing sector in the clean energy transition. This is the energy we’re bringing to New York. ​Why This Matters: ​Across the country, low-income homeowners continue to face disproportionately high energy costs while often being left out of the clean energy transition. We want to change that. Working with Habitat state support organizations across the country, we are creating a scalable model that combines affordable homeownership, clean energy, lower utility bills, and community resilience. ​We’d love to have you join us for food, drinks, and to move some solar panels to the roof! Our solar barnraising isn't simply an event; it's a demonstration of what's possible when communities come together to build a more affordable, resilient, and equitable future. ​We hope you'll help us raise the roof.