In the cold months of winter, New Yorkers notice more sharply the difference a home can make. Warmth, safety, and a place to belong are things many of us take for granted. Yet, for hundreds of thousands of families across our city and state, safe and stable housing remains out of reach.

More than 350,000 people are without a home in New York City. The vast majority are families. In New York City shelters alone, families make up nearly 7 out of every 10 occupants. And for families who enter the system, the average stay is more than a year — 437 days of uncertainty before finding a permanent home.

For decades, Catholic Charities of New York has worked to meet that need through Catholic Homes New York, our affordable-housing agency committed to building communities where New Yorkers can thrive.

Catholic Homes is a leader and pioneer in providing permanent and affordable housing. Guided by their belief that a home is a sacred human right, Catholic Homes develops safe, stable communities for families, seniors, and individuals across the Archdiocese of New York.

“We don’t simply build buildings,” said Russell Lang, CEO and President of Catholic Homes New York. “We build communities rooted in dignity, stability, and long-term affordability. They are places where families and seniors can finally exhale and start planning their futures.”

St. Anselm Apartments in the Bronx

Over the last few years, Catholic Homes has accelerated its development pipeline, expanding opportunities for families, individuals, and seniors in need across New York.

Recently completed in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx, St. Anselm Apartments offers 126 affordable and supportive homes adjacent to St. Anselm & St. Roch Church.

The 12-story building includes:

• 62 affordable apartments for families earning 40–70% area median income (AMI)
• 63 supportive homes for formerly homeless individuals, families, and survivors of domestic violence
• On-site supportive services provided by Nazareth Housing, a Catholic Charities agency
• Free Wi-Fi, community rooms, a library, landscaped yard, and sustainable design features

St. Anselm Apartments demonstrates that housing can be both beautiful and deeply humane.

Grand Street Campus

Catholic Homes has been a cornerstone of the Grand Street community since the 1970s. It first developed 600 affordable homes across three towers surrounding St. Mary’s Church.

Today, that historic commitment continues through two transformative additions:

• Attorney Street Apartments (opened Fall 2024):
  A 232-unit affordable development serving households at 30%–80% AMI, including units reserved for formerly homeless residents. With thoughtfully designed amenities, social services, and a modern L-shaped tower, it blends seamlessly into the Lower East Side.
• Ridge Street Apartments (under development):
  A 16-story, 191-unit, 100% deeply affordable senior residence that will achieve Passive House certification and operate fully all-electric. Thirty percent of apartments will serve formerly homeless seniors, with on-site services delivered by Catholic Charities Community Services.

“The promise we make to residents is simple,” said Andrea Jordan, Chief Program Officer at Catholic Charities Community Services. “You’re not just getting a key. You’re gaining support, neighbors, stability, and a team committed to walking beside you.”

Built for the Future

Catholic Homes now sustains more than 3,000 affordable apartments throughout the Archdiocese of New York, providing families and seniors with shelter, safety, connection, and hope.

Catholic Homes works hand-in-hand with Catholic Charities Community Services to ensure residents receive a set of keys and the ongoing support they need. Together, they provide a continuum of care on-site, connecting families and seniors to case management, benefits assistance, social services, and community-building programs that help them remain stable long after move-in.

As housing costs rise, more families are being pushed into crisis. Catholic Homes remains focused on innovation, sustainability, and compassionate design that honors both the environment and the people who live within its walls.

“Housing is a foundation for everything else,” Lang added. “When people finally have a stable home, they can focus on health, employment, education, and family. That’s the kind of change that lasts generations.”