POUGHKEEPSIE – Hudson River Housing continues to make strides in providing sound housing for the City of Poughkeepsie’s population as noted during the agency’s annual luncheon on Thursday.
Over 100 attended the luncheon
The event featured remarks from their newly appointed Executive Director Sean Robin, Dutchess County Commissioner of Community and Family Services Sabrina Marzouka and one of Hudson River Housing’s own success stories from Lawrence Cooper.
Robin, who succeeded former Executive Director Ed Murphy in January, said the organization’s efforts going forward will continue to address the needs of the homeless and housing development.
Hudson River Housing has been in the community development field for many years, offering housing assistance to adults, children and veterans, affordable commercial space and urban revitalization. One of their former homeless clients, who now works for the organization as a part-time superintendent, Lawrence Cooper, shared his story at the luncheon. Cooper was a homeless veteran in Beacon and he had some advice to share for those who may be having a rough time.
“I just tell people, you know, people are always throwing some negative stuff at you and me, I’ve never been one to believe in that,” Cooper said. “I have strong beliefs about things. It’s been rough for me. I could sit here for hours and tell you stuff but, like I told one of my friends, even when I was in the shelter, I said, ‘I kept praying. Just like for that one week, I just kept praying to out of there and within that short period of time, I got out.’ It’s like, you know, a little praying here and there and go out and talk to some people and keep your head up. That’s what I always tell people that too.”
Hudson River Housing has also been continuing to work on the Middle Main Initiative, most notably, the transformation of the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory. The organization said they are expecting construction on that project to be done around October, with commercial vacancies opening around that time and residential vacancies becoming available the following month.
