cityscape, garden, carousel, grocery store graphic.

Let’s Open the Door, New York City

Pop-up doors in NYC

Everyone deserves a decent place to call home. For 50 years, Habitat has been turning that mission into reality by helping millions of people around the world build, improve or finance their homes.  

Today, we’re building on that momentum. 

We’re popping up in 10 cities worldwide with an art installation of 10 doors, each featuring work from local artists and real homeowner stories. Together, they represent what’s possible with a safe, decent foundation.  

We popped up live on March 23 and 24, 2026, 
in Washington Square Park, Garibaldi Plaza.
See a slideshow of photos from the event below.

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Doormat that says "New York is Home" Habitat for Humanity.
Woman in a long black coat standing in front of a door covered in an illustration with a pink frame.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA (03/23/2026) — Islenia Mil, a New York City–based illustrator, poses in front of the door she designed for Habitat for Humanity International in Garibaldi Plaza at Washington Square Park, celebrating the launch of Habitat’s global campaign, Let’s Open the Door.

A person in a navy rain jacket kneels to take of photo of a dog in a red raincoat in front of a door depicting an illustration with a teal frame.
4 doors with various stats about what housing can do displayed in Washington Square Park.
Man in red shorts and a red hoodie with a green raincoat on and headphones are his neck leaning on the door frame of a purple illustrated door talking about how home affect health outcomes.
A woman with a hijab and a tan raincoat posing in front of a mint-colored door for her friend to take a photo.
Two women with black hair and black raincoats viewing a teal door with stats about housing.
A man with a beanie, sunglasses and a black rain jacket holding a dog in a coat in front of a door.
A woman with white hair and a tan plaid jacket walks through a door with a lilac frame.
Digital advertisement in Times Square that reads 1 in 3 people need this, find out what.

Islenia Mil | Featured artist

Headshot of woman with long black twists, big rimmed clear glasses, brown skin, a white tank top.
Cityscape, garden, Ferris wheel, carousel, mother reading to child graphic.

Islenia Mil (she/her) is an Afro-Latina editorial and book illustrator based in NYC. This is a teaser image of her door artwork. 

Home to me looks like comfort, safety, a space where one can be vulnerable. Home is where your nervous system can soften, where you are not performing or bracing yourself for what might happen next. Home is not just a structure of walls and a roof, but an ecosystem of trust, dignity and belonging. 

Those attributes serve as the foundation that can then enable significant improvement in an individual’s life. Whether in health, education, wealth or sustainability – it starts here, knowing that first and foremost you are safe and provided for. From that assurance, confidence grows. From confidence, individuals and communities alike can build fuller, freer and more expansive lives. 

I approached my piece for Habitat for Humanity with this in mind. The result is the piece you see here. A woman sleeps soundly – within her comforter, we see the everyday quiet moments that make up a life filled with joy, wonder, growth and community. 

Find Islenia on Instagram at @isleniamil or 
visit her website. 

Whirlpool Corporation | Featured partner

Whirlpool Corporation is our featured sponsor and partner at our New York City stop with their own door, representing what’s possible when families achieve housing stability.  

Since 1999, Whirlpool Corporation has supported Habitat with donated home appliances, financial support, employee volunteers, disaster response, advocacy, support of Habitat’s Carter Work Project and a sustainable home program, BuildBetter with Whirlpool. Through their efforts, Whirlpool has helped improve the lives of more than 1.1 million people in more than 50 countries. Learn more about our Habitat legacy partner.

Graphic image teaser of Whirlpool's door. Kitchen scene with mom dancing with toddler and dog.
Whirlpool Corporation
Blue image with rows of blue doors superimposed on it.

Uncover more pop-up locations and artists

We’re popping up in 10 cities with a 10-door art installation showcasing local artists and real homeowner stories.

Find a pop-up near you!

Three rows of cartoon doors in varying colors.

Design your own door

When you donate, you can create your own personalized door! Your design will be featured in our gallery alongside those from fellow supporters from around the world.

Let's go!

Explore Let’s Open the Door

  • A child's legs run out past an open white front door toward his mother who is standing and smiling in the front yard.

    Let's Open the Door

    Over the past fifty years, we have helped more than 65 million people around the world build, improve or finance places to call home. Now, we’re building on that momentum.

    Learn more
  • A woman stands smiling and wearing a blue sari with polka dots in front of a white wall and brown door.

    Let's Open the Door stories

    Behind every open door is a story. As we build on fifty years of making home possible, we’re highlighting some of the people and innovations at the heart of our mission.

    Read more

See Habitat’s impact in New York.

 

Learn more

Get involved

Give, volunteer, speak up, get involved. 
Let’s open the door to brighter futures.  

  • A group of volunteers work together to lift up the frame of a house while more volunteers stand on top of the roof pulling the frame up.

    Volunteer

    Volunteer with Habitat in your community and around the world. With our help, families can achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life.

    Learn more
  • A blonde woman with her back to the camera faces the Capitol building Washington D.C. and holds a blue sign and an orange sign advocating for housing.

    Advocate

    Learn more about what advocacy is, why advocacy is important and the ways you can join Habitat for Humanity in advocating for safe, affordable housing.

    Read more
  • A group of volunteers celebrate in front of a newly built pink Habitat house by throwing confetti in the air.

    Donate

    Learn about ways you can support Habitat’s work — make a one-time donation, donate monthly, donate stock, donate a car, donate stuff and more.

    Learn more