Tackling homelessness with both business acumen and compassion, the mission-driven nonprofit Breaking Ground is celebrating 35 years since they introduced an innovative new model of housing for people who were experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The organization employs a range of effective, data-informed initiatives to enable people to forever escape the trauma of homelessness, which has simultaneously led to them being one of the most impactful and creative real estate developers in the competitive New York market. President and CEO Brenda Rosen, who began as an attorney in New York City’s Department of Homeless Services, leads the organization and its efforts to provide permanent supportive housing for some of New York City’s most vulnerable residents.
Breaking Ground’s first acquisition and renovation was taking over the Times Square Hotel in 1991 and turning it from a deteriorated, crime-ridden welfare building into the nation's largest permanent supportive housing residence. The building serves as the organization's flagship example for finding and funding affordable housing projects. The organization has grown its portfolio to serve more in-need New Yorkers by replicating this approach throughout the city. The idea of supportive housing - affordable housing paired with wraparound services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term – championed by Breaking Ground has been critical to its’ success. On-site social services include benefits assistance, medical and mental health care, skills-building, and connection to employment services. These wraparound services help each person get – and stay – on the path to permanent stability and in fact, over 98 percent of those who enter Breaking Ground’s supportive housing units stay housed for the long term.
Today, Breaking Ground maintains nearly 4,500 units of permanent housing throughout New York City. Tenants come from all walks of life and the multitude of perspectives and experiences create a more supportive environment. “We don’t designate ‘homeless floors’ and ‘non-homeless floors’,” explains Patrick Bonck, Assistant Vice President, Communications, Breaking Ground. “All the units are mixed, so anybody coming into the building doesn't necessarily know about somebody's background, whether they are exiting homelessness or in an affordable unit due to their financial situation. It tends to create stronger communities in our buildings to have this mix of low-income and formerly homeless individuals. A lot of times people build relationships across income and class lines that can endure for decades.”
Mizuho has been a longtime partner of Breaking Ground. The firm provided its first line of credit to the organization in 2000 and continues to finance the organization’s important work. “They employ people who understand real estate and housing very well,” said Noel Purcell, Head of Real Estate & Specialized Finance, Mizuho Americas. “Collectively, they are an impressive group of developers as skilled and strategic as anyone I have done business with on the commercial side.”
Breaking Ground’s new residence building in Jamaica, Queens, constructed to meet Passive House standards for energy efficiency, underscores the evolution of the model to serve across all constitution groups. Intended for seniors transitioning out of homelessness or living on very low incomes, the building includes features to support physical activity, such as entrances and corridors based on active design principles, outdoor and garden spaces, and accessibility accommodations throughout the facility. Additionally, the building will feature a 15,000-square-foot Federally Qualified Health Center operated by the Community Healthcare Network.
Mizuho has also provided philanthropic support for various Breaking Ground initiatives over the years. Most recently, the firm donated to the Homeless Assistance Fund, which extended Breaking Ground’s services and mental health resources to more New Yorkers experiencing homelessness during and after the pandemic. Mizuho employees have volunteered at Breaking Ground for pre-Thanksgiving holiday meal servings for over 20 years.
“The agency has been very consistent for 35 years in its mission to alleviate homelessness, while also transforming itself it many ways to become more effective as our reach and resources have expanded,” said Patrick. “To date, there have been three generations of breaking ground. The first was the acquisition and overhaul of old dilapidated hotels that the city didn't know what to do with. Second was proactive street outreach and transitional housing, and then into new construction of permanent supportive and affordable housing. Our next generation might include a return our roots, as hotel conversions begin to look attractive again.”
Looking ahead, Breaking Ground is advancing its model to ensure even more resiliency and to encourage long term stability. Restoration projects are reimagined with an eye to developing revenue streams where possible. The renovation of the 416-unit Prince George in 2005 restored the building’s 5,000-square-foot Neo-Renaissance ballroom to serve as event venue. The 90 Sands Street residence features an extensive commercial kitchen that can be leased to a catering organization with proceeds ensuring the building remains affordable for the long term. Mizuho is proud to work with such a groundbreaking organization as it continues to expand to support in-need communities in an increasingly sustainable and comprehensive way.
For more information about Breaking Ground, please contact them at: [email protected]