Habitat Philadelphia Welcomes Dr. Val Arkoosh as 2026 Building Hope Luncheon Keynote Speaker

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is proud to announce that Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Building Hope Luncheon.

A physician, public health leader, and longtime champion for housing and health equity, Secretary Arkoosh brings decades of experience at the intersection of medicine, policy, and community wellbeing. Appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2023, she leads Pennsylvania’s largest human services agency, overseeing programs that support millions of residents across the Commonwealth. Prior to her state leadership, she served as Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, where she led efforts to streamline human services and eliminate veteran homelessness. 

Secretary Arkoosh continues to advance the idea that stable housing is foundational to health.

In announcing Pennsylvania’s first-ever Housing Action Plan, she underscored the stakes clearly: “Too often when a person doesn’t have stable housing, they must either rely on emergency departments and hospitals to provide care, or they go without care completely… Investing in safe, stable housing is not only the right thing to do, but it creates real benefits for the Commonwealth.” 

That message strongly aligns with our mission to build and repair homes in partnership with families in need. 

“Dr. Arkoosh speaks passionately from her own first-hand experience as a medical doctor that home is medicine,” said Corinne O’Connell, CEO of Habitat Philadelphia. “Housing is a human issue—and when families have a safe, stable home, everything else becomes possible.” 

Now entering its 17th year, the Building Hope Luncheon brings together hundreds of advocates, partners, and supporters to advance affordable homeownership in Philadelphia. Over the past 16 years, with more than 11,000 attendees and $6.3 million raised, the event has helped fuel our impact—to support the construction and preservation of homes, strengthen neighborhoods, and open the door to health and opportunity for all.