While homelessness has no easy remedies, The Bridge Fund of New York Inc. has pioneered the concept of prevention of homelessness targeted to the working poor who have the possibility of helping themselves when given temporary assistance. The key elements of our approach have proven effective for 87%-90% of the more than 7,600 people who have received our assistance since 1991.
The Bridge Fund’s operations are largely funded by private contributions,
which gives us great freedom and flexibility in meeting client needs with
swift and effective solutions.
Our programs are focused on aiding working poor families and individuals
with their real and immediate housing problems.
The Bridge Fund uses a preventive approach. We help stabilize households
at risk of homelessness in their present housing. If we help our clients when
their housing is threatened, they do not need to further impoverish
themselves to qualify for government assistance.
We utilize business principles to function as a micro-finance company,
offering credit our clients cannot get elsewhere. We do not charge interest on
our loans and often give modest grants to clients who have the potential to
maintain their housing, but cannot afford to repay a loan.
Households referred to The Bridge Fund are in immediate danger of losing
their housing, generally due to eviction proceedings.
Our financial assistance is temporary, to resolve the immediate crisis.Check is written to landlord or real estate management company to pay client’s rental arrears.
We combine financial assistance with budget counseling, giving our
clients the tools to better manage their finances on an ongoing basis.
Clients are treated with respect and with special attention, because
every client’s situation is different.
The Bridge Fund works cooperatively with both public and private
agencies to maximize limited resources and help the greatest number
of needy households.
Our organization builds on the willingness of most American families to help
their neighbors in need and on the desire of most American families to
help themselves.
