One. That’s how many houses Poughkeepsie-based Hudson River Housing (HRH) has left to revive in the three-block area of Catharine, Conklin, and Garden streets, between Mill and Mansion streets in the city.
In 1999, HRH began the Anchor-Based Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative to revive the three-block stretch, and since then the organization has built or renovated 19 homes, 45 apartments, and 4 commercial spaces. The latest project transformed 60 Catharine St. – a previously vacant and boarded-up house – into six affordable studio apartments.
“The reality of this is thrilling,” said HRH Executive Director Gail Webster. “What you see in front of you today is the result of many hours of hard work.”
HRH was created in 1982 when then-county Executive Lucille Pattison asked a concerned group of citizens to address the homeless problem in the area. Today the organization is a multi-service provider of housing and other services. To date, HRH has developed 37 affordable homeownership opportunities, nearly 300 apartments, and nine commercial spaces.
On Friday June 13, HRH co-hosted an open house at the Catharine Street site, with Nubian Directions II – a Poughkeepsie-based organization that played an integral part in the recent rehabilitation.
“We approached HRH and told them that we had young people who had been learning skills, and they were willing to take the risk,” said Nubian Directions executive director Robert Wright. “As you can see, it was a wonderful success, and we’re very thankful.”
Founded in 1994, Nubian Directions provides hands-on and direct access to computers and the Internet in an effort to promote self-sufficiency among youths, families, small businesses, and nonprofits. The organization’s ultimate goal is to help individuals acquire and develop the skills they need to live independent and productive lives; one of the ways this is accomplished is through the organization’s partnership with YouthBuild USA.
YouthBuild USA is a community development program that addresses issues which affect low-income communities: housing, education, employment, crime prevention and leadership development. In YouthBuild programs throughout the country, young people – ages 16-24 – work toward their high school diploma or GED, while learning job skills and serving their communities by building affordable housing. Participants in YouthBuild spend six to 24 months in the full-time program, dividing their time between construction sites and alternative school.
“I never really liked working in a team, but being able to is like nothing else,” said YouthBuild participant Nathaniel Almeida, who helped rebuild the Catharine Street location. “We worked tirelessly and it feels great to know that you had your hands on something that will last for years to come.”
Under the direction of the project’s contractor, Roy Johnson, and the project’s supervisor, Christopher Boston, YouthBuild students worked on the 100-year-old building for months, framing, sheet-rocking, spackling, taping, and painting.
Marking the occasion
The completion of the Catharine Street project coincided with National NeighborWorks Week – a seven-day celebration of the accomplishments of the NeighborWorks network.
NeighborWorks America is a national nonprofit organization created by Congress, which provides financial support, technical assistance and training for community-based revitalization efforts. The NeighborWorks network currently consists of more than 230 community-based organizations in 50 states.
During NeighborWorks Week, NeighborWorks organizations mobilize volunteers throughout the country to raise awareness about neighborhood change. Volunteers repair and rehab homes, landscape properties, conduct tours and host events to educate, train and inform residents.
“We’re not just here today to celebrate this building,” said Webster, who recalled the emptiness of the structure when it was first purchased nearly five years ago. “Today we’re here to celebrate the city of Poughkeepsie, as well as NeighborWorks America.”
Following finishing touches on each of the six studio apartments, and an application process, tenants are expected to move in next month.