Homes for the Homeless (HFH)

HFH has been criticized for pursuing city contracts at the expense of continuing services. In 2023, HFH closed an assisted living facility and evicted numerous residents to fulfill a contract with the city to operate a new migrant shelter.

History

Homes for the Homeless was founded in 1986 by Hartz Group chairman Leonard Stern, who was disturbed by the large number of homeless congregating in City Hall Park. HFH opened its first homeless shelter in the South Bronx, followed by a second in 1987 in Queens. ¹

In 1990, HFH began publishing research on the impact of homelessness on children through its Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness. ¹

In 1993, HFH launched the Brownstone Afterschool Program to support the education of homeless children. ¹

In 1994, HFH launched Train and Gain, a job-training program for homeless people. ¹

Controversies

In early 2020, Homes for the Homeless evicted 31 elderly residents from The Riverview, an assisted living facility in Hell’s Kitchen, because it couldn’t find enough tenants to fill 80 units. According to numerous tenants, HFH told them that the facility was operating normally throughout 2019. ²

In Summer 2023, HFH evicted residents of the Shores Senior Residence Community with less than two months’ notice. Earlier, HFH told its residents that the organization was looking to sell the facility to another operator who would maintain it as a senior home. However, after the eviction, it was revealed that HFH had made a deal with the New York City Council and the N.Y.C. Department of Social Services to convert the facility into a migrant shelter under HFH. U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) held a press conference to criticize the eviction and use of taxpayer funds on frequently illegal immigrants. ^{3 4 5}

HFH was questioned by Rep. Malliotakis and New York City Councilperson David Carr (R-Mid-Island) about the organization’s deal with the city, but HFH refused to comment. According to Councilperson Carr, “Clearly, someone at Homes for the Homeless saw an opportunity… for them to get another profitable contract.” HFH had initially purchased the assisted living facility in 1987, converted it into a homeless shelter, and then converted it back to an assisted living facility in 1999 after failing to get a $15 million contract with the city. ⁵

Funding

In 2019 and 2020, Homes for the Homeless received funding from numerous government agencies and government-funded organizations, including the New York City Department of Homeless Services, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, the City University of New York (CUNY) Creative Arts Team, Queens Public Library, PBS Kids for Parents, and the University of California San Diego PAL Program. ¹

Leadership

John Greenwood has been the executive director of Homes for the Homeless since February 2021. Prior, he worked for the organization in a variety of roles going back to 2017, and from 2008 to 2012. During the interim period, Greenwood worked for the New York City Department of Homeless Services and the NYC Emergency Management Department. ^{6 7}

Aaron Goodman served as HFH’s chief administrative officer from April 2019 to August 2023, and currently works for African American Planning Commission Inc., a nonprofit focused on supporting the black homeless population in New York City. Previously, Goodman worked for the NYC Departments of Social Services and Homeless Services for a total of almost 11 years. ⁸

Ralph da Costa Nunez served as HFH’s president and chief executive officer from 1987 to 2021. Prior, Nunez was Mayor Ed Koch’s (D) deputy director for the Mayor’s Office of Homeless and Single Room Occupancy Housing Services. He also served as first deputy commissioner of the Human Resources Administration, and held positions in NYC’s Youth Bureau, Office of Mental Health, Legislative Office of Budget Review, Water Board, and the Mayor’s Commission on the Homeless. ^{9 10}