Mayor Announces Plans to Replicate BRC Program Begun Last Year as Partnership between BRC and Mayor's Fund

In November of 2006, with a grant of $300,000 from the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, BRC opened the first Safe Haven program in New York City for the chronically street homeless. Following a harm reduction philosophy that did not mandate sobriety, and eliminating most of the rules that apply in New York City shelters, BRC welcomed in some of the most hard core street dwellers in New York City, who had refused all other offers of assistance. All that was asked was that people respect each other, and that they work with us to find housing. In just over a year of operation, more than two dozen chronically street homeless men moved to housing from BRC's Safe Haven. Mayor Michael Bloomberg celebrated the Safe Haven's success in his 2008 State of the City address, where he announced the City would fund the program's replication, expanding capacity from BRC's 19 beds to 500 citywide, including BRC's second Safe Haven, which opened in January 2008.

BRC's Homeless Outreach Efforts Continue and Expand

As the MTA's contracted provider to outreach and assist homeless people living in the subways and terminals operated by the MTA, BRC has a presence in every borough of New York City, and in counties beyond the city. Every month, over 100 homeless men and women are moved by BRC from the subways, stations and terminals into housing. BRC's successful efforts and strategies were also recently acknowledged by the renewal of our contract with the East Midtown Association, a Business Improvement District, and the award of a $100,000 grant from the New York Community Trust, one of New York City's oldest and most prestigious philanthropic institutions.

First BRC Program Serving Homeless Families Opens in Times Square

This summer BRC took over as social services provider at the Longacre, a hotel in Times Square being used by NYC to temporarily house homeless families. At any time 150 families reside at the hotel but until BRC's arrival very little was being done for them. With BRC on site, dozens of families have found and moved to housing and lengths of stay have dropped dramatically. Order has been restored to the building, which had been a concern of neighbors and local leaders. And BRC has opened an employment on site for the residents, helping them get back on their feet and able to find and afford their own housing.

Whole Foods Market Bowery Honors BRC

On January 16, 2008, Whole Foods Market's newest and largest store at Bowery and East Houston Street honored BRC's work in the community, contributing 5% of that day's sales to BRC. Thanks to Whole Foods and everyone who shopped there that day, $5,842 was raised and contributed.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development and New York State Ask BRC to Rescue Housing Program

This past Fall, the Federal housing agency (HUD) and State substance abuse agency (OASAS) chose BRC to assume responsibility for a 41 unit housing program previously being managed by another nonprofit agency.

City Council and Mayor Approve BRC Affordable Housing Plan for Brooklyn

In late August, the Mayor and City Council gave final approval to BRC's plan to build new affordable housing on an entire block front in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood, not far from BRC's Fulton House residence which opened in East New York in 1992. BRC's latest effort will create 47 studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments for employed low-income families and individuals, with preference given to people who now or formerly lived in the community. BRC thanks Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council Housing Committee Chairman Erik Martin Dilan and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz for their support.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Selects BRC for Largest Housing Contract

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced BRC will be given a contract to provide housing for 90 homeless individuals with histories of addiction. This is the Department's largest single contract under what is known as the New York — New York Round 3 housing program, a City-State partnership to house the homeless. This contract increases BRC's housing capacity to over 1,200 people.

BRC to Launch Program for People At Risk of Losing Their Housing

In March, BRC will start its first program to help people at risk maintain their housing and avoid homelessness. In collaboration with the NYC Human Resources Administration, BRC will receive referrals from HRA of cases and dispatch case managers to work with clients in their homes. Over 300 people will be served annually by BRC in this program, which will start in March 2008.