Bowery Residents' Committee: Responding to a City in Need

According to the New York City Department of Homeless Services' 2010 Annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate survey, over 39,000 people reside in shelters nightly and another 3,000 live on New York City's streets and subways. These numbers, which are on the rise, reflect both the continued impact of our national economic crisis, and a City that feels compelled to respond.

Operating for 40 years, the BRC (Bowery Residents' Committee) is one of the most effective housing and social service providers in New York City. Described by The New York Times as one of the city's "most respected charity groups,” BRC offers 27 programs that in the past year served over 8,000 of NYC's neediest individuals. More than 60% of those who leave BRC do so having successfully achieved their goals for housing, employment, stability in health and sobriety, and more.

In response to the growing need for homeless services, BRC is creating a new multi–service center in the heart of Manhattan, at 127 West 25th Street. This 12-story, 104,000 square foot facility will let BRC consolidate and expand existing programs, and add new 200-bed residence for homeless individuals, making it possible for the organization to significantly expand its ability to break the cycle of homelessness in NYC. NFF's $2-million loan for this $15-million renovation project will cover the soft costs of construction.

The facility, designed by TEK Architects and being built by the construction firm of J.T. Megan, is scheduled to open in early 2011. Once up and running, more than 270 BRC staff will work at the building, every year offering opportunities for over 2,000 homeless and needy New Yorkers to reclaim lives lost.