Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh hosted in-person their 23rd annual Walk for Housing in an effort to raise funds and community awareness for affordable housing. The walking event raised $30,000 in donations and had about 200 walkers participating.

The walking event began at Washington’s Headquarters Park [84 Liberty Street] where people gathered around noon to begin registration.

Prior to the walk, people stopped by tables to gather more informational materials, discuss Habitat related projects and to take in the sites of the Hudson River.
As the walk was set to begin, guests joined in singing the National Anthem followed by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh Executive Director Matthew Arbolino greeting his volunteers and fellow community members and thanking them for coming out to take part in the walk.

For the walk that day, there were two path options. One path was about three miles and the other over a mile and half, were available for residents to go on. On the walk, residents and supporters had the opportunity to walk past previous Habitat projects such as the houses on East Parmenter St. and active Habitat construction sites such as 139 Johnston Street.

Back in March, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh received a donation of $2 million. This donation was generously given by American author and philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott. A pledged total of $436 million from Scott was distributed to various charitable organizations and Habitat affiliates.

Once greetings and remarks concluded, the crowd of walkers dispersed and went about their ways on the various routes to see the sites.

“The Walk For Housing which we’ve been doing since we started in 1999 is the only event where we actually get out into the community and everybody walks around, takes the time to talk to each other, interact with the homeowners,” Arbolino said. “People recognize now housing is a major issue that we should focus on.”

Retired Air Force Col. Edward Seward, has been partaking in the walks for the past 19 years. He previously led the Newburgh Free Academy Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps [JROTC], who had several cadets joining the walk and volunteering. Seward remembered in previous years, the JROTC actually led the walk at one time with flags and banners and hopes to see the return of that part of the walk someday soon. “One of the pillars of Junior ROTC is community service and that’s what this [walk] represents,” Seward said.

Bill and Mary Murphy, lifelong residents of the city, both took in the sight of seeing so many people coming out to support Habitat Newburgh.

“From where we started and a lot of people gave us no hope but then there was such a core of people that said yes it can be done,” said Mary.

“It gives us a lot of happiness to see how many people are coming out to support Habitat and the affordable housing,” said Bill. “The goal of Habitat is to make sure everybody has a decent, affordable place to live.”

Bill Murphy along with David Wager and Al Favata were the original founders of Habitat Newburgh back in the summer of 1999. Habitat Newburgh now has over 100 houses dedicated within the city and continues to work on more affordable housing projects and programming for those in the City of Newburgh.

To learn more about Habitat Newburgh, you can visit habitatnewburgh.org or call (845) 568 - 6035 for more information. Their main office is located on 125 Washington St. Newburgh, NY 12550.