NEWBURGH – Low-income Newburgh residents say newly released Census data show a growing number of Newburgh residents … more than 28 percent … living in poverty.  About 20 members of group Community Voices Heard, wearing Santa hats, held a news conference in front of City Hall to call on city officials “to start dealing with poverty head-on.”

“We don’t want a handout this holiday season.  We want real change.  Low income people in Newburgh need housing and jobs.” Brenda McPhail, who asked city officials to “walk a day in our shoes.”

“Affordable housing is a right that each of us has”, claimed Jim McElhinney, of the Newburgh Ministry.

CVH presented a multi-point holiday wish list, including:

• Preserving low-income housing, stop rent increases and stop aggressive evictions
• Fix up abandoned buildings
• Invest in programs that allow low-income residents to rent or buy rehabilitated properties
• Rent stabilization
• Safety net process for families facing eviction because of code compliance or foreclosures
• Bring good jobs to Newburgh and require that employers hire Newburgh residents