Housing First
Street to Home
NYC's successful “housing first” pilot program bringing individuals off the street and into housing
As both a powerful housing intervention and an opportunity to fill supportive housing vacancies, Street to Home has the potential to end chronic street homelessness in New York City.
Three years into the pilot, Street to Home has proven to be a successful demonstration of the “housing first” model, transitioning more than 150 people from New York City’s streets and subways into permanent housing.
Of these individuals, more than half signed leases to remain in their single-room occupancy units with on-site support services. Others, once housed, regained the stability and confidence they needed to move into more independent housing or reunite with family.
Street to Home: A Solution That Works
Street to Home was launched in 2022 as a pilot designed to bring individuals experiencing unsheltered chronic homelessness directly into supportive housing by allowing them to bypass the shelter system altogether and immediately start focusing on their road to stability.
Clients are given a choice between four VOA-GNY permanent housing residences located in the Bronx and Brooklyn, each offering fully-furnished single-room occupancy (SRO) units with access to kitchens, restrooms and shower rooms. Case management is offered on-site, as well as substance use support groups, recreation activities, and other key services to help them thrive.
The program is offered by VOA-GNY in partnership with the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS), Human Resources Administration (HRA), Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
Why It Matters
Thousands of people sleep on New York City’s streets and subways each night, their experiences as diverse and complex as their needs. Many have untreated mental health issues. Others are dealing with layers of trauma from as far back as childhood.
Despite the city’s right to shelter and ongoing outreach, some prefer to live “under the radar” and avoid traditional shelters due concerns about privacy, negative past experiences or feelings of defeat from repeatedly trying and failing to navigate bureaucratic systems.
But everyone is deserving of a safe, dignified home.
Many individuals would gladly accept permanent housing, yet the application process for supportive housing is arduous—filled with paperwork, interviews, and delays that are especially difficult to navigate while unsheltered. Street to Home was designed to overcome these challenges by offering immediate housing and support without requiring a stay in shelter or paperwork first.
Providing Holistic Supportive Services
Each individual enters Street to Home with vastly different needs. Once in housing, our team uses a trauma-informed approach to address the factors that have led and contributed to their chronic homelessness. This may include:
- Connecting clients to physical and mental health care
- Securing identification documents such as a NYS ID card or birth certificate
- Applying for benefits
A social worker will create a personalized plan with each client, meeting regularly to track progress and support redeveloping daily living skills. The goal is to ensure each person is connected with the resources they need to successfully adjust, sustain permanent housing, and leave homelessness behind for good.
Street to Home by the numbers
151
people moved off the streets or subway and into housing through Street to Home
30%
of the City’s subway outreach housing placements were made through Street to Home only a year and a half into the pilot
15
Street to Home clients, once housed, felt confident enough to transition into more independent housing or reunite with family
Help us end homelessness in our community
Our vision is to end homelessness in Greater New York. With your support, change is possible.