Coalition for the Homeless is the nation's oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless men, women, and children. We are dedicated to the principle that decent shelter, sufficient food, affordable housing, and the chance to work for a living wage are fundamental rights in a civilized society. Since our inception in 1981, the Coalition has worked through litigation, public education, and direct services to ensure that these goals are realized.
What We Do
For more than 25 years, the Coalition for the Homeless has developed and implemented humane, cost-effective strategies to end mass homelessness in New York City. Our model programs represent solutions that can dramatically reduce the homeless population and prevent homelessness among those most at risk
Every day the Coalition helps over 3,500 clients with the tools and support to reclaim their lives. Through housing, job training, emergency food, crisis intervention, and youth programs, we rescue men, women and children caught in the grips of poverty. We witness firsthand the challenges they face, and shape our services to best meet their needs. We understand what works, what doesn't, and what makes sense. Our unique position allows us to advocate effectively on behalf of New York's most vulnerable citizens, and offer hope and opportunity for economic independence and a brighter future.
From our first legal victory in 1981, Callahan v. Carey, which guaranteed the right to decent shelter, the Coalition's efforts have consistently resulted in compassionate, long-term solutions to the epidemic of homelessness. Since our inception, we have demonstrated that there is indeed an end in sight, and that through the proper and strategic investment of resources we can make homelessness a thing of the past.
The Coalition is a vocal and invaluable city and statewide resource for homeless people, at-risk populations, other advocates and service providers, policymakers and the public at large. We have earned the reputation as the most credible source of information on homelessness, its causes, and solutions. Join us - with your continued support, we will succeed in keeping New York's most vulnerable citizens safe and off our streets.