Saving Homes saves Mental Health

Women and children of color are the face of NYC homelessness, and most are navigating complex trauma as a result of past child abuse and/or domestic violence.

The main driver of NYC homelessness is the more than 1 million New Yorkers (including 350,000 children) in 440,000 households in rental arrears and on the brink of losing their homes. Similar to the 90,000 people already in the shelter system, women-headed families account for two-thirds and the majority identify as people of color.

Women at risk of experiencing homelessness are often asked to shoulder responsibility and perform at a higher level (for example, in work and training programs) than is possible while dealing with complex trauma.

The nature of complex trauma makes it difficult to perform daily duties and tasks that would secure them in their homes long-term. The threat of homelessness and housing court corrugates this trauma and can set off a spiral of intergenerational poverty, homelessness and trauma.

At The Partnership, our Save Homes Campaign focuses on prevention to ensure our clients’ housing and mental well-being. By first clearing the immediate crisis and removing the burden of rental arrears, we create the housing safety that then allows our clients to engage in our culturally-appropriate therapeutic services (including counseling, support groups and financial empowerment programming) to address their trauma, which in turn stabilizes them in their lives and homes long term.

This past year, thanks to supporters like you, we provided more than 5,000 direct services and saved homes for 3,000 New Yorkers.If you can, join with us again during Mental Health Awareness Month and support our Save Homes Campaign to ensure more women and children can keep their homes and receive trauma-informed services.