2025 Habitat House Party - Habitat NYC and Westchester

Monday, November 10, 2025

Metropolitan Club
1 E 60th St, New York, NY

Thank you to everyone who made our 2025 Habitat House Party, Framing the Future of Housing, a spectacular night! From the iconic Metropolitan Club ballroom, our host—award-winning comedian and America’s Got Talent finalist Gina Brillon—brought the house down with laughter and spoke to her personal passion for housing justice. And DJ Tara, an urban planner and housing advocate, kept the energy high. We celebrated our incredible honorees: Maria Torres-Springer, Jeanique Druses, Erica F. Buckley, and Pastor Josias and Helen Rodriguez, whose leadership is shaping a better housing future across New York and beyond. Our CEO, Sabrina Lippman, illustrated how Habitat’s multifaceted toolbox and partnerships “prove that homeownership isn’t just a dream; it’s one of the most practical, powerful solutions we have. Because when families have homes they can afford, neighborhoods stabilize. Children thrive. Economies grow.” She shared the incredible news that we helped a record 2,200 families achieve safety, security, and stability — the most in our 41-year history.

One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came when Laura V., a homeowner in our Plus One ADU program, shared her journey to create a home for her daughter Brooke, who has Down Syndrome. For Laura, this wasn’t just a construction project—it was about making a seemingly impossible dream come true: helping Brooke gain independence while staying close to family. Laura’s story is a reminder of why our work matters—equipping families to build futures filled with hope and possibility. Here are photos capturing all of the night’s special moments! Want to relive the night? View the recording here.

Thank you to our House Party Advisory Council and to everyone who made our 2025 Habitat House Party a memorable and meaningful celebration.

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2025 Honorees

Thank you to our 2025 honorees.

Maria Torres-Springer

President, Charles H. Revson Foundation

Maria Torres-Springer has dedicated her career to public service, significantly expanding access to affordable housing and making a lasting difference for countless New Yorkers. As First Deputy Mayor, Maria oversaw record-breaking years for affordable housing creation in NYC and was instrumental in advancing the City of Yes, the city’s most ambitious pro-housing reform to date. And as Senior Fellow at the Ford Foundation, Maria extended her commitment to affordable housing as a driver of economic mobility. In late 2025, Maria assumes the role of President of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, where she will continue to address deep rooted inequity and advance housing justice nationwide.

Jeanique Druses

Northeast Region Executive for Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase

Jeanique Druses is a seasoned executive and strategist with over two decades of experience advancing economic opportunity and strengthening communities. Her career spans leadership at Fortune 500 companies, and the launch of a business development unit serving 600,000 NYC Housing Authority residents. As Northeast Regional Executive for JPMorgan Chase, she leads philanthropic investments that have helped expand access to affordable housing through transformative funding and partnerships—equipping families to build equity and long-term stability. Jeanique’s thought leadership at the intersection of strategy, funding, and mission continues to shape pathways to homeownership and economic mobility.

Erica F. Buckley

Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP

Erica F. Buckley is a longstanding advocate and champion for affordable homeownership, playing a pivotal role in advancing equitable housing solutions from City Hall to Albany and beyond. Her efforts in advancing the passage of New York’s Affordable Housing Retention Act, as well as her dedication to transforming rentals into ownership opportunities to address New York City’s shortage of affordable homes, have made a profound impact. Erica’s influence continues to shape the city’s affordable housing landscape and will resonate for years to come.

Pastor Josias and Helen Rodriguez

All Souls Evangelical Church

Pastor Josias and Helen Rodriguez are pillars of the Bronx community, blending compassionate spiritual leadership with impactful neighborhood initiatives. Their church, located next-door to our Vyse Ave development, has been a welcoming space for the Habitat team. Pastor Josias and Helen embraced Habitat’s presence in the neighborhood, offering thoughtful guidance to help us build trust and meaningful relationships within the community. Their support has made them indispensable collaborators in our efforts to create affordable homes and lasting change in the Bronx.