Left to right, Nikolai Marzouka, Constituent Services Liaison, 39th Senate District; Paul Brothe, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh; Jill Marie, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh; Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Interim President of Mount Saint Mary College; Torrance Harvey, Newburgh Mayor and Mount alumnus; Robert McLymore, Newburgh City Councilman; Kevindaryán Luján, Orange County Legislator; and Harry Porr, Deputy Orange County Executive.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh (HFHGN) announced on Thursday, April 18 that Mount Saint Mary College donated two properties for the construction of affordable housing for local families.
The properties, located at 417 and 419 Liberty Street just behind the college, will be the site of two new Habitat homes. Construction is scheduled to begin almost immediately and will finish by Summer 2025. Mount students, faculty, staff, and alumni will partner with HFHGN through several Build Day events to ensure progress of these homes and others like it in the Newburgh area.
“Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh is excited to partner with Mount Saint Mary College,” said Jill Marie, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “This generous land donation will provide housing for two families in Newburgh. It also will provide an opportunity for the college, its employees, alumni, and students to be a part of the building process and get hands-on experience building in their backyard!”
Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Interim President of the Mount, said that the partnership between HFHGN and the Mount is strong. For example, through the Knight Summer Connections program, incoming Mount freshmen participate in a build every August before the semester begins.
“The Mount is excited to assist Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh in its very worthwhile endeavors. It’s easy to see that Newburgh is a better place because of them,” said Fr. Fluet. “The Mount’s focus on service and community goes hand-in-hand with Habitat’s mission. Our students, faculty, staff, and alumni have lent their aid to Habitat in many build projects over the years and it’s wonderful to be able to take that to the next level. We can’t wait to meet our new neighbors!”
HFHGN currently has a record 25 local families enrolled in its Homeownership Program, with the organization continuing to receive applications. With more than 21 percent of the City of Newburgh’s population living in poverty, notes HFHGN (source), homeownership programs like Habitat Newburgh’s are transformative for local communities and individuals who otherwise would not qualify for a mortgage.
“Strong communities are the result of people and organizations working together for the common good,” noted Paul Brothe, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “Development of these properties will provide much needed housing and improve the community.”
He added, “Mount Saint Mary College is a pillar of the community. We are excited to be partnering with them and we are grateful for the donation of these properties. Our motto is ‘building houses, building hope.’ Working together with Mount Saint Mary College we will be providing hope to two families and improving the surrounding community.”
Newburgh Mayor and Mount alumnus Torrance Harvey ’03 said the partnership between the Mount and HFHGN will help to make the community stronger.
“Housing is stability. Housing is dignity. Housing is a necessity,” said Harvey. HFHGN and the Mount “share the common value that decent, affordable housing is a human right, and that all in Newburgh, all in America, and all those around the world deserve [such] housing.”
Congressman Pat Ryan said, “Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh does incredible work every day to address the affordable housing crisis, which is impacting so many families across the Hudson Valley. Partnering with Jill Marie, I’ve seen firsthand how they can transform sites into life-changing homes for Newburgh families. I want to truly thank Mount Saint Mary College for its donation and am looking forward to again seeing Habitat make the American dream of home ownership a reality for more families in Newburgh.”
Working with the Mount is one of HFHGN’s many projects. The organization will host its annual Walk for Housing on Sunday, April 21 at Washington’s Headquarters. Registration will begin at noon, with the three-mile walk starting at 1 p.m. The walk will raise critical funds for Habitat Newburgh’s ongoing builds and raise awareness of Habitat Newburgh’s affordable homeownership program.
For more information or to support the walk, visit www.habitatnewburgh.org and check the “Events & Blogs” section, or call 845-568-6035 extension 105 to register.