POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie Police and Fire Departments, along with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office are partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County to provide a home for a family in Poughkeepsie. Members of the three agencies are participating in the first-ever “Blue Build.”
Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess CEO Maureen Lashlee told Mid-Hudson News that the modular home, built in Pennsylvania, “Is a home for people who were essential workers when we were in lockdown and now can’t afford to live here.” The home will be placed on the recently-poured foundation on a lot on Harrison Street in the city.
“The City of Poughkeepsie Police, the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, and the Sheriff’s Department are the builders of this house,” Lashlee said as the tractor-trailers arrived with a police escort on Monday. “Anything that wasn’t done in the factory for the modular, the city police and fire and the sheriff’s department will be doing that.” The two sections are being stored in a lot on Cottage Street and will be moved to the permanent site on Friday, weather permitting.
The CEO says the schedule includes having the certificate of occupancy issued by the city on September 16. After the approval is granted, they will work with the family to complete the financing and Lashlee hopes to have the family in the home before Thanksgiving.
Kevin Van Wagner, the President of the City of Poughkeepsie PBA noted that his dwindling number of members are excited about helping out. “Despite being understaffed, the officers we still have we are grateful for the opportunity to be involved with Habitat for Humanity in the Blue Build. Our members are committed to helping out in the city because we are committed to being a vested stakeholder in this community.”
Deputy Ryan Griffin serves as president of the Dutchess County Deputy Sheriff’s PBA and served as one of the motorcycle escorts that accompanied the trucks from Fishkill up Route 9 to the Cottage Street location on Tuesday. “We are a benevolent association and really take a lot of pride and joy in giving back to the community.” Acknowledging the physical labor that the first responders have ahead, he said, “While everybody appreciates donations as does the PBA, getting out to do the physical labor that these projects require such as these is a great way to network and to give back in a very different way. Habitat for Humanity is a great cause doing great things.”
