Message from the Executive Director

Homelessness is still a problem in many parts of the country. Despite the easing of the Covid issue, there has been no improvement in the overall homeless statistics. This should increase the need for significantly more preventive efforts, particularly among the working poor.

In response, The Bridge Fund of New York has deepened its commitment to innovative problem solving by partnering with community leaders, foundations, and government entities.

• Each month, thousands of tenants and homeowners in crisis benefit from one or more Bridge Fund services, especially compassionate listening, information and referral, and budget counseling.
• Significant government funding was successfully deployed and exhausted during 2021 – 2023 to preserve the affordable housing of 359 families hurt by the corona virus pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn.
• With services and $1,589,383 in Bridge Fund financial assistance to pay outstanding rent or mortgage, the New York City and Westchester programs stabilized another 786 client-households during 2023. More than 1,643 individuals, including 523 children, make-up these households.
• Several of them were helped in other creative ways. They received electronic food cards, utility grants to prevent service disruption, career advisement, and help and encouragement to enroll or remain in school.
• Through their active participation in the EFSP Advisory Board of the United Way, the Emergency Rent Coalition and other member-organizations, Bridge Fund staff members continue to promote collaboration and other best practices in the homelessness prevention field.

I am incredibly proud of our Bridge Fund team. They consistently challenge themselves and their colleagues to do better for our clients in an ever-changing environment.

Yet there is much more to do. We are committed to doing our part through diverse creative partnerships, commitment to high-quality service, and data-informed decisions, to address homeless prevention effectively.

We are accelerating our efforts to ensure better futures for working poor households who have faced much adversity over the last few years. We can’t do this work alone. We thank each of you who have supported us over our 32-year history. We invite those who want to be a part of our mission to prevent homelessness among the working poor to join us.