BCNI – Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. – is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that plays a critical role in Schenectady’s citywide and comprehensive smart growth plan. We are the lead organization focused on neighborhood renewal, capital development and related services including housing counseling and financial literacy in the city.
BCNI was founded in response to expanding opportunities arising from the rapid economic resurgence of the downtown Schenectady’s central business district. In 2017, community leaders from existing development organizations, government, and philanthropy convened to design strategies to bolster and leverage the existing strengths of neighborhood-based development efforts.
Grounded in Neighborhoods. Driven by Change.
Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that strong neighborhoods are the foundation of a thriving city. As the lead agency driving neighborhood renewal and community- based development in Schenectady, BCNI plays a key role in advancing the city’s comprehensive smart growth plan.
Our work goes beyond bricks and mortar. Through housing counseling, financial literacy programs, and innovative models like community land trusts, we help families build stability, equity, and a sense of belonging — while ensuring our neighborhoods remain vibrant and inclusive for generations to come.
Origins: A Strategic Response to a Changing City
BCNI was born out of opportunity. As downtown Schenectady experienced rapid economic resurgence in the mid-2010s, a coalition of community leaders, development professionals, and philanthropic partners recognized the need to ensure surrounding neighborhoods could benefit from this growth. In 2017, these leaders came together to chart a path forward — one that would build on existing strengths while creating new capacity for inclusive development.
The Power of Partnership: A Merger for Impact
The creation of BCNI was made possible by a strategic merger between two long-standing Schenectady organizations: Better Neighborhoods, Inc. (BNI) and the Community Land Trust of Schenectady (CLTS). The merger was initiated and funded by the Wright Family Foundation and the Little Family Foundation, who saw an opportunity to combine two effective models into one stronger, more sustainable organization.
Both BNI and CLTS were participants in New York State’s Neighborhood Preservation Program, and the merger leveraged state incentives to increase impact. The result was a single organization better positioned to access state and regional funding opportunities, expand programming, and take on larger initiatives. A key partner in this effort has been the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, which continues to provide strategic support through grants and financing tools.
Our Roots: Two Organizations, One Mission
Better Neighborhoods, Inc. was founded in 1966 to support first-time homebuyers and preserve the city’s housing stock. Over the decades, BNI renovated more than 120 housing units, prevented foreclosures, partnered on affordable rental housing developments, and supported commercial revitalization through façade improvement programs in corridors like Crane Street.
Community Land Trust of Schenectady, established in 1991, introduced a powerful new tool for long-term affordability: the community land trust (CLT) model. By retaining ownership of the land and offering long-term leases to homeowners, CLTS created a permanently affordable housing option for low- and moderate-income families. This model ensures homes remain owner-occupied and within financial reach for future buyers. CLTS also expanded its services to include home repair, housing counseling, credit education, and advocacy.
About Our Land Trust Model
At the heart of our approach is the community land trust model, which creates a permanently affordable housing market outside of speculative trends. Homeowners lease the land under a 99-year, renewable agreement, and when they sell, BCNI (formerly CLTS) retains the right to repurchase the home at an affordable rate, ensuring long-term access for future families. This model promotes equity, stability, and neighborhood continuity.
The Work Continues — And You’re a Part of It
At BCNI, we’re working every day to ensure that more people in Schenectady have access to safe, affordable housing and the resources they need to thrive — whether that’s through home repairs, counseling, down payment assistance, or access to long-term affordability through our community land trust.
But we don’t do this work alone. Our impact depends on strong partnerships with local residents, city agencies, funders, housing developers, and community- based organizations. Whether you’re a family looking for support, a long-time homeowner seeking stability, or a funder ready to invest in real change — you have a role to play.
Together, we can shape a community where every neighborhood is strong, every resident is supported, and opportunity is within reach.