Urban Pathways to host Legislative Breakfast with panel discussion on October 15, 2026 at The Metropolitan College of New York to highlight the impact and future of Safe Havens in New York City.
NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-糖心Vlog/ -- Urban Pathways, a New York City nonprofit organization that has been combating homelessness through housing and supportive services for more than 50 years, will host a Legislative Breakfast on October 15, 2026, at Metropolitan College of New York's Bronx Campus. The event will bring together state and local leaders to discuss the impact and future of Safe Havens in New York City.
As part of the event, Urban Pathways will release its latest policy brief, "Beyond Shelter: Why New York Must Expand Safe Havens to End Chronic Street Homelessness," which examines the role of Safe Havens in addressing chronic street homelessness and the need to expand access to these programs.
GARY P. JENKINS | CEO, URBAN PATHWAYS
"Urban Pathways has helped New Yorkers move from homelessness to permanent housing through the Safe Haven model for decades, and we know that when these programs are grounded in person-centered, supportive services that meet people where they are, they can provide a critical bridge from the street to stability," said Gary P. Jenkins, CEO of Urban Pathways. "Through this event, we are bringing together leaders and partners to share what we have learned, strengthen collaboration, and advance the solutions New York City needs to address homelessness and help more New Yorkers move toward permanent housing."
Sponsored by Promise Hospitality Group (PHG), the event will feature a panel discussion with the following distinguished speakers:
- Assemblymember Nikki Lucas, New York State Assembly, 60th District
- State Senator Erik Bottcher, New York State Senate, 47th District
- Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals
- Deputy Commissioner Cassandra White-Hemphill, Street Homeless Solutions, NYC Department of Homeless Services
- Darlene Jackson, former Safe Haven resident
The discussion will be moderated by Jose Cotto, LCSW, Chief Program Officer of Urban Pathways. Opening remarks will be delivered by State Senator Luis Sep煤lveda, New York State Senate, 32nd District.
Safe Havens: A Critical Pathway from the Street to Stability
Safe Havens are a critical component of New York City's continuum of care for people experiencing homelessness. These low-barrier transitional housing programs are designed to reach individuals who may not be well served by traditional shelters, including people experiencing chronic or unsheltered homelessness and those with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or other complex health and social needs.
By offering a more flexible and supportive environment, Safe Havens help residents build trusting relationships with staff, access health and behavioral health services, and connect with resources that support greater stability and, ultimately, permanent housing. Urban Pathways currently operates four Safe Havens across New York City, serving more than 550 individuals each year.
State & Local Leaders Underscore the Importance of Safe Havens
ASSEMBLYMEMBER NIKKI LUCAS | NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, 60TH DISTRICT
Assemblymember Nikki Lucas, who represents the 60th Assembly District, emphasized the importance of investing in supportive services and housing opportunities that meet the needs of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
"Safe Havens are about more than providing a place to stay鈥攖hey are about creating a pathway to stability, dignity, and a better future. I am especially proud that Urban Pathways operates a Safe Haven in the 60th Assembly District in East New York and that we are investing in resources that directly support the well-being of its participants," said NYS Assembly Member Nikki Lucus. "When we invest in supportive housing, quality services, and compassionate care, we are investing in people and giving New Yorkers the opportunity to move forward with security and hope. I look forward to continuing our partnership and my investment with Urban Pathways to strengthen this work in our district and across New York."
STATE SENATOR LUIS R. SEP脷LVEDA | NEW YORK STATE SENATE, 32ND DISTRICT
State Senator Luis R. Sep煤lveda, representing New York's 32nd Senate District, highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing homelessness across the city.
"Urban Pathways has been a longstanding partner in addressing homelessness with compassion, dignity, and a commitment to helping New Yorkers achieve greater stability. As a longtime supporter of their work, I am pleased to welcome attendees from across New York City to the Bronx for this important discussion on the impact and future of Safe Havens," said Luis R. Sepulveda, NYS Senator. "These conversations are essential as we continue working together to strengthen the services, resources, and housing pathways that help our most vulnerable neighbors move forward."
DR. MITCHELL KATZ, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
Dr. Mitchell Katz, President & CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal healthcare system in the U.S, iterated the essential role that Safe Havens play in providing the vital support services needed for long-term stability:
"I am pleased to be part of this important event, which highlights the vital role Safe Havens can play in addressing homelessness in New York City. From a health perspective, addressing homelessness requires more than providing a roof over someone's head. It means creating an environment where individuals can access the medical, behavioral health, and supportive services they need to improve their health and build greater stability in their lives. Urban Pathways recognizes this critical connection between housing, health, and well-being, and is helping to create a foundation for a healthier and more stable future for some of New York City's most vulnerable residents."
KANDRA CLARK | DIRECTOR OF POLICY & ADVOCACY, URBAN PATHWAYS
"Capacity alone does not create engagement. We can build thousands of shelter beds, but if people do not feel safe, respected, or able to walk through the door, those beds will not end street homelessness," said Kandra Clark, Director of Policy & Advocacy at Urban Pathways. "Safe Havens bridge that gap鈥攎eeting people where they are, rebuilding trust, and creating a low-barrier pathway from the street to stability and, ultimately, a permanent home."
The Legislative Breakfast will provide an opportunity for elected officials, agency leaders, service providers and community partners to exchange perspectives on Safe Havens, explore opportunities to strengthen the model, and advance strategies to help more New Yorkers transition from street homelessness to permanent housing.
For information about the event or how to attend, please contact [email protected].
About Urban Pathways
For more than fifty years, Urban Pathways has been working to ensure that everyone in New York City has a place to call home. What began as a coalition of neighborhood centers and settlement houses based on Manhattan's Upper West Side is today a thriving human services organization, operating across four of NYC's five boroughs鈥擬anhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn鈥攖hat delivers a full continuum of housing and services to more than 2,500 individuals every year. Urban Pathways uses an evidence-based, solution-focused approach to combat homelessness, recognizing that secure housing is the foundation upon which individuals can improve the quality of their lives and flourish. By providing personalized guidance, UP's person-centered approach motivates each individual to navigate their own path toward lasting housing stability and greater well-being.
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Christine Pohl, Urban Pathways, 1 1 (212) 7367385 215, [email protected],
SOURCE Urban Pathways
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