Feel Good Friday - Housing Works

December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, making this the perfect time to spotlight Housing Works.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of Housing Works is "to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."

Born from the AIDS activism of four ACT UP members—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer, and Virginia Shubert—Housing Works emerged during a time when tens of thousands of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS were facing homelessness and had nowhere to turn. These founders believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy lives and prevent further spread of the virus.

Since 1990, Housing Works has served more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Their comprehensive services include supportive housing (over 800 units), healthcare through five health centers across the city, mental health and substance use treatment, nutritional counseling, legal assistance, and their Ready For Work program—an eight-week workforce development initiative that provides job training and guarantees employment opportunities for graduates.

What sets Housing Works apart is their pioneering social enterprise model. To sustain their mission while reducing dependence on grants, they operate nine acclaimed thrift shops throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, the beloved Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo, and even opened New York State's first legal recreational cannabis dispensary in 2022. Every purchase at these businesses directly funds their lifesaving services.

Their advocacy work is equally powerful. With offices in New York City, Albany, Washington D.C., Haiti, and Puerto Rico, Housing Works fights tirelessly for legislation ensuring all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, and protection from discrimination.

If you'd like to support Housing Works, there are many ways to do so. You can volunteer at their bookstore, thrift shops, or special events like their annual Design on a Dime benefit. Consider donating items to their thrift shops or bookstore, making a financial contribution, shopping at their retail locations or online store, and amplifying their message on social media. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected with their work.