Habitat Newburgh Dedicates Four Homes

By Kintura Williams

NEWBURGH – Sawhorses blocked off traffic between Clark and South Johnston Streets as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh held a dedication ceremony for four new homes on Ann Street Saturday afternoon.

Habitat for Humanity dedicated their 86th, 87th, 88th and 89th homes to three families during the dedication ceremony of 156, 154, 152 and 150 Ann Street. Spectators looked on from the street as each new homeowner expressed their joy and gratitude to the crowd. The homes were blessed by various clergymen, and the keys were presented to the homeowners and their families.

Open houses were held prior to the dedication, allowing homeowners and their families, volunteers, Habitat staff, and some of the public to tour the houses. 156 and 154 Ann Street were both in the final stages of construction, while 152 and 150 Ann Street—that began construction at a later date—were still being worked on.

“We struggled with selecting this dedication date, partly because we knew all of the houses were not likely to be done. Now that we’re in this moment I am grateful to God that I think this timing was perfect and divinely inspired because of what happened a week ago in Charlottesville,” said Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Executive Director Cathy Collins. “It is important for us to remember that us gathering and what we do here for Habitat is exactly the antidote against that kind of hate.”

The Ann Street dedications are part of a plan to revitalize the whole area with Habitat homes lining East Parmenter Street, and more underway on South Miller Street.

Mayor Judy Kennedy, Senator Bill Larkin and his wife Patricia, and Deputy County Executive Wayne Booth were all in attendance to support the new developments in the City of Newburgh.

Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator Corey Allen said that many people in Newburgh feel Habitat is the only developer they can trust, offering guidance like home repair programs and financial literacy courses that help families learn and work together.

Manuel Zapata and daughter Tatianna, are the new homeowners of 156 Ann Street, and worked  on their home for over a year before the dedication.

Habitat requires those working on sites to be at least 16 years old. Tatiana—who was only 14 when they started—was too young to work at the sites and instead found a way to put in hours at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore every Saturday. She also worked at the annual Walk for Housing in April, joining Newburgh Free Academy’s JROTC as a walk marshall.

“I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just him working by himself on our house,” said Tatiana Zapata.

Manny and Tatiana rented apartments for many years before coming to Habitat.

“I am so thankful. Living in this country it is very hard to make a dream real,” said Manuel Zapata, “To get your own house, and Habitat helped make it real for me. I want to work with them anytime I can, I’m not finished when I receive my house.”

152 Ann Street does not yet have a completion date, but the other homeowners have projected move in dates in the next couple of months.

Collins said that there is nothing better than dedicating the houses and recognizing the hard work that has gone into them.