A Message from Our CEO
April is Fair Housing Month—when we commemorate the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act.
This law prohibits discrimination in housing practices and is based on the idea that everyone should have equal opportunity to seek a place to live without discrimination.
The Fair Housing Act is particularly important for the young mothers with children and LGBTQ young adults Homeward NYC serves.
When formerly homeless young families (predominantly Black and Brown) move from our transitional shelter to permanent housing, fair housing laws are critical.
The same is true for LGBTQ young adults as they move from our supportive housing to more independent housing.
Without the protections of the Fair Housing Act, residents would face even more discrimination and limited options.
When clients experience discrimination, we work with legal assistance programs to achieve better outcomes for our residents—and see that landlords and brokers are held accountable.
The typical young adult we serve is 22 years old. Many do not have local family support. Our caseworkers, clinicians, and Life Skills Program managers help prepare young people for success as they move their lives forward.
You can read about RM, a young mother moving from our family shelter into her very first apartment!
Stay up to date on resident and staff stories by following us on social media @HomewardNYC and signing up for email news at www.homeward.nyc/updates.
Your giving and volunteerism are life-changing for homeless young mothers, children, LGBTQ youth, and seniors. Thank you for making this work possible!
All the best,
Jeannette K. Ruffins
Chief Executive Officer
April 2022
Homeward News Spring 2022… Inside the latest newsletter…