The coronavirus pandemic seems so far away. Yet, the working poor in Westchester County continue to feel the consequences. Our clients struggle with inflation and rising rents, plus earnings that for many have remained stagnant. In 2023, Westchester clients had an average annual income of only $34,000, and several needed almost 50 percent of it to pay rent.

Unfortunately, court eviction filings continue to rise. The county’s most vulnerable residents are threatened. More than 8,200 filings were started during 2023 alone. Thousands of others, begun before and during the pandemic, are still active.

Despite all the challenges, Bridge Fund clients like Maika Flores and Smiling Moon, who are featured in this annual report, inspire hope, remain optimistic about their futures, and take pride in their families and homes.

During 2023, The Bridge Fund of Westchester received thousands of requests for assistance. Almost all clients benefited from information, referrals, and budget counseling. With these and other services plus modest financial assistance, our team stabilized 402 client-households in their homes. This figure includes 30 families from Yonkers that were hurt by Covid and served by our special one-time effort made possible with government funding received from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. In total, 794 adults, seniors, and children were prevented from losing their affordable housing.

The Bridge Fund’s continued success is exemplified in the 91% housing retention rate of clients that are monitored one year post service. The fact that so many are still in their homes clearly demonstrates that our service model is more cost effective than the $57,000 spent by taxpayers annually to house a single household in a homeless shelter.

Our team looks forward to replicating and implementing in Westchester County the Income Growth Initiative that is currently part of The Bridge Fund of New York City. This initiative helps motivated clients prepare for high demand jobs that offer better pay, benefits, and growth potential.

Grace Perry Scott
Director, The Bridge Fund of Westchester