Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that he has secured final congressional approval of $1.06 million for four critical community projects in Newburgh.  Using his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, the congressman secured $476,000 for the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, $210,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, $190,000 for Occupations, Inc., and $185,000 for the Community and Police Partnering Against Violence program.  The funds are included as part of the final version of the 2009 funding bill for various federal agencies, which the House passed today.  

"I am very pleased that my colleagues in Congress recognized the city of Newburgh's pressing need for this important funding," Hinchey said. "The $1.06 million I directed to these Newburgh based projects represent an important downpayment towards the revitalization of the city.  The funds will put people to work, provide the community with improve health care, make the city safer, and provide young residents with the opportunity and skills they need to become successful and productive members of the community."

Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center (GHVFHC) will use the $476,000 in federal funds Hinchey secured to help pay for the construction of the center's new primary health care facility on Lake Street.  This federally-qualified health center will increase primary care access for low and moderate-income local families.  The project will support new construction jobs for the area and help GHVFHC finish the construction they recently started on its new health care facility.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh will use the $210,000 in federal funds Hinchey obtained to implement a pilot program to train young people, aged 17-24, in construction skills.  The program's goal is to provide participants with the skills needed to obtain future employment and complete the GED high school equivalency program.  Participants will also help construct three transitional housing units for very-low income families.  By doing so, the program participants will help expand the supply of affordable housing for low-income families by utilizing the skills of disadvantaged youth.

Occupations will use the $190,000 Hinchey secured for the reconstruction and equipping of the agency's historic facility on Grand Street. Occupations provides critical mental health services to thousands of Newburgh residents.  The funding that Hinchey obtained will support Occupations in their effort to upgrade its facilities and expand its scope of services to the community.

The Community and Police Partnering Against Violence program will receive the $185,000 in federal funds Hinchey secured to support the activities of two community policing officers who will work within the police department to encourage community driven solutions to city crime problems.  These officers will also hold neighborhood watch meetings, document concerns and problems within neighborhoods, and create crime prevention and safety awareness materials for public use.