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Mission:
In keeping with Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and with the intention of bringing to an end the twin crises of homelessness and AIDS, the purpose of Housing Works is to ensure that adequate housing, food, social services, harm reduction and other drug treatment services, medical and mental health care, and employment opportunities are available to homeless persons living with AIDS and HIV and to their families as they define them.

History:
Housing Works was established in 1990 as an offshoot of the organizing committee on housing of the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP) to provide housing and services to homeless people who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. In the past 17 years, Housing Works has served over 20,000 people, developed client-centered approaches that help it engage those most marginalized and disenfranchised by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and become an important advocate for the rights of its constituents.

Housing Works has also created New York's first job training and placement program for homeless people with AIDS/HIV. And with ever increasing success, Housing Works has used entrepreneurial ventures to underwrite its programs and to help clients achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Current Programs:
Housing Works is the largest community-based, minority-controlled AIDS service organization in the country. It is dedicated to advocating for homeless services and to providing housing, health care, job training, and supportive services for homeless people who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. Among its programs are the following:

Health Care: Housing Works runs three Adult Day Health Care diagnostic and treatment facilities (licensed under Article 28, New York State Department of Health), offering a full range of medical and psychological services for people with HIV or AIDS. Medical staff ensures access to the latest HIV treatments and expert support to help clients comply with the complex regimens. The facilities, open seven days a week, are located in Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, and in East New York, Brooklyn.

Housing: Housing Works runs a variety of housing programs, including two residences that are co-located with the Adult Day Health Care programs, as well as housing for single adults, families, and women coming out of the correctional system. For example, the Central Harlem AIDS Supportive Housing Initiative provides apartments for adults and families living with AIDS/HIV in Central Harlem. Supportive services for these residents include health care, substance use, and job training.

Job Training and Placement: Housing Works' Second Life Job Training Program is the first job training and placement program for homeless people living with AIDS/HIV in New York State. The rigorous, nine-month program guarantees successful completers employment at Housing Works affiliates.

Advocacy: Housing Works is a leading advocate in New York State for issues affecting housing and services for homeless people living with AIDS or HIV.

Social Ventures Development Program : Housing Works' program of entrepreneurial ventures meets two of its critical challenges: the need to generate unrestricted income for its social service programs and the need to create employment opportunities for the people they serve who wish to enter or re-enter the workforce. The Housing Works affiliate programs include Housing Works Used Book Café, Housing Works Thrift Shops, and The Works Catering, a division of the food services Housing Works runs. In addition to these, Housing Works has also established a property management company, which employs many Housing Works former clients, and a consulting firm for social service organizations looking to develop advocacy, grassroots organizing, and lobbying initiatives.

Outreach and Prevention: Housing Works helps thousands of individuals receive essential services. The Intensive Community-Based Case Management Program provides assistance with Medicaid enrollment, housing, treatment, and referrals. The Peer Initiative/Deaf AIDS Services offers peer outreach and other services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The HIV/AIDS Outreach Program operates street outreach throughout New York City's most underserved neighborhoods. Finally, Housing Works' Strengthening Families Program helps homeless or formerly homeless African American and Latina mothers with parenting and family skills classes designed to prevent child and adolescent HIV-infection, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency. The program provides families with HIV health care, mental health, drug treatment, and other services.