This year marks a profound milestone for Care For the Homeless—40 years of unwavering commitment to providing healthcare and shelter to New York City’s most vulnerable. 

Care for the Homeless was founded in 1985 and is one of the largest Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) programs in the country. It all began when the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trust invited cities to submit proposals for providing health care for individuals experiencing homelessness. New York City’s application was co-authored by social worker and advocate Susan Neibacher. She became the first Executive Director of the organization created by the funded proposal: Health Care For the Homeless, later renamed Care for the Homeless. 

Susan took a novel approach to reach the individuals who needed our help the most: Co-locating health centers in facilities where people experiencing homelessness already gathered, like soup kitchens and shelters. In doing so, CFH was able to meet New Yorkers experiencing homelessness where they were, reducing barriers to healthcare. Today, this model has become standard practice for us and many other organizations across the country. 

CFH’s operation quickly grew to encompass more sites and more patients, expanding into shelter and drop-in centers. By 1996, CFH was operating and providing health services to clients at its own shelter, the Kingsbridge Women’s Assessment Center, which remained open for four years. 

CFH was awarded a contract to create a new shelter in the Bronx, inside a warehouse located at 1921 Jerome Avenue. The building was completely gutted, renovated, and transformed into 200 beds of transitional housing, complete with a health center and our first oral health center. Susan’s Place has moved over 1,200 women experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.  

Care For the Homeless decided to name the site after Susan in recognition of her dedication and commitment to helping those in need. Today, Susan’s Place continues to serve women experiencing homelessness and assists them on the path to independence and permanent housing. 

Care For the Homeless now operates in 22 locations across New York City, with additional sites set to open in the coming months. In 2024, CFH achieved the following milestones: 

• Successfully transitioned 198 patients into permanent housing 

• Delivered healthcare to 12,431 unhoused individuals and family members 

• Provided center-based care to 29,539 individuals and virtual healthcare to 11,705, totaling 41,244 patients served 

Over the past 40 years, we’ve evolved into much more than just a healthcare provider or a place to sleep. Our dedication to offering comprehensive, integrated care has expanded to include dental and behavioral health services, HIV testing, treatment, and education, psychological and mental health support, as well as critical human services like housing counseling, placement assistance, and transitional housing. 

We’re proud to provide shelter in brand-new, high-quality facilities owned by CFH, and to engage in policy advocacy at the federal, state, and city levels to further our mission.  

We are proud to carry forward Susan’s groundbreaking vision of healthcare for the homeless in the years ahead. As we continue to grow and innovate, our focus remains on meeting the evolving needs of those we serve. Our commitment is steadfast, and we are dedicated to serving our communities for the next 40 years and beyond.