1972

A group of concerned Allegany County citizens identified a need to improve the housing conditions of low and moderate income individuals and families throughout the county. As a result, on February 9, 1972, Housing Action Corporation (HAC) was incorporated under Section 402 of the Not-For-Profit Corporation Law to address this need. A name change was made on January 23,1987 from Housing Action Corporation to Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development (ACCORD), Inc.

 

1980

HAC became a Rural Preservation Company and began housing preservation and community renewal activities county wide.

 

1984
HAC joined forces with the Allegany County Food Distribution. 

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1985
Genesee Valley Improvement Corporation was incorporated as the property-holding subsidiary of HAC.

 

1986
HAC amended its Certificate of Incorporation and also became the designated Community Action Agency for Allegany County, NY.

 

1987
HAC changed its name to Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development (ACCORD), Inc.ACCORD began administering the Domestic Violence Prevention Program.

 

1988
ACCORD began its initial economic development efforts with funding for the Small Business Development Program.

 

1991
ACCORD opened its first Head Start Center in Cuba, NY.

 

1994
ACCORD received funding to administer the Child Care Resource & Referral Program; and also began administering the Empire Zone Program.

 

1996
ACCORD began administering the Teen Age Services Act Program.

 

2000
ACCORD began administering the Wheels for Work Program. Allegany County Development Services, Inc. was incorporated as the lending subsidiary of ACCORD.

 

2001
ACCORD established a Wide Area Network, linking 6 offices in 6 communities with a centralized data and phone network consisting of 85 computers and 102 phones.

 

2003
ACCORD received funding to open 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

 

2004
ACCORD began administering Advantage After School Programs throughout the county.

 

2008
ACCORD received a 5-year 4.5 million dollar grant to expand the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

 

2010
New York State closed the Empire Zone Program to new entrants.

 

2011
New York State terminated the Teen Age Services Act, forcing ACCORD to eliminate the program. ACCORD opened four ACCESS Centers throughout the county. Reduction in funding over the years has resulted in the closure of two centers (Belfast & Wellsville). Two centers remain open (Belmont & Bolivar).

 

2014
ACCORD opened its first transitional housing facility, the Kalthoff House, in Almond, NY.

 

2017
ACCORD was not refunded for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs and therefore discontinued the programs on June 30, 2017.

 

TODAY
Over the years, ACCORD has continually expanded the array of programs and services for low and moderate individuals and families. ACCORD secures approximately $7 million in grant funds each year to provide Allegany County residents with entrepreneurial and small business services, child care referral services, assistance with New York State regulations to become a family day care provider, domestic violence services, emergency food pantries, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, assistance for the homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, afterschool programs, Community Action Angels program, adolescent pregnancy prevention services, assistance to homeowners to bring their homes up to HUD Quality Standards, services for first-time homebuyers, Section 8 rental assistance, and respite services for children.

ACCORD primarily serves Allegany County; however some of our programs and services are offered in neighboring counties such as Cattaraugus, Steuben and Wyoming Counties.