McKeon: “Those are really good things”
MIDDLETOWN – The good news: The poverty numbers are improving.
That was one point made by representatives of RECAP and other community organizations during a frigid outdoor media event in Middletown this morning. The event took place outside a major project to create over 40 affordable living units in the old Mill Building on Mill Street near downtown Middletown.
The current number, according to RECAP, is a 12.6 percent poverty rate, which represents just under 46,000 out of a county population of over 374,000.
RECAP Chief Operating Officer Michele McKeon said they do pay attention to the bottom line.
“Are we doing better this year than last year, and our numbers say ‘yes’,” McKeon said. Our poverty rate has decreased. Individuals living in poverty has decreased. Those are all really good things.”
McKeon credited the work of several agencies and government entities from the City of Middletown to Orange County, for making things better.
“I am so happy Orange County Government is partnered up with RECAP,” County Executive Steven Neuhaus said. He noted that just in the past week, the county, working with agencies, has taken more people off the streets. “Two men in Port Jervis, one man in New Windsor, one young lady this week in Newburgh,”
During the media event, workers continued their effort to turn the old mill, and attached new construction into affordable housing. When opened, the hope is that tenants will be in a better position to contribute to the local economy.
Helping in that effort will be the Fresh Start Café, which will locate in the ground floor of the old mill. The Café will provide an opportunity for tenants to work and learn marketable skills.
