New York City has taken a significant step in addressing the needs of homeless families by opening its first pet-inclusive homeless shelter. The Uplift Families Residence in the Bronx, a new transitional housing facility, welcomes families experiencing homelessness along with their pets, recognizing the crucial role pets play in their owners’ lives.
This innovative initiative, spearheaded by the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and the Urban Resource Institute (URI), is modeled after URI’s successful People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program. PALS, which has been operating for a decade in partnership with the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), supports survivors of domestic violence and their pets. Uplift Families Residence expands this pet-friendly approach to families facing homelessness, starting with a pilot program for five families and their pets.
Uplift is a purpose-built, high-quality shelter boasting 161 units and 587 beds. It represents DHS’s commitment to partnering with experienced non-profit organizations like URI to create shelters that effectively serve vulnerable New Yorkers. The shelter is part of the agency’s not-for-profit-owned model, enabling organizations like URI to own and operate shelters designed to meet the specific needs of the homeless population.
“Today marks a crucial advancement in our continuous efforts to improve city shelters and elevate the support we offer to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness,” stated Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. She emphasized the Adams Administration’s dedication to investing in high-quality shelters and empowering non-profit human services providers. Commissioner Park also expressed gratitude for the long-standing partnership with URI, highlighting their shared mission to provide holistic and intentionally designed services for vulnerable New Yorkers in shelters.
Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute, underscored the importance of this initiative by stating, “Pets are integral members of the family.” He cited URI’s research and the decade-long success of the PALS program, noting that “50% of survivors would not leave an abusive home unless they could take their pet with them.” Fields emphasized that regardless of the reason for homelessness, families need access to safe and stable housing, and being able to keep their pets is vital for rebuilding their lives. He positioned Uplift as embodying URI’s commitment to inclusive support for families in need, viewing the shelter and the PALS pilot as a major stride in addressing homelessness in NYC and creating a more compassionate shelter system.
Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter praised URI as the ideal partner for this groundbreaking pilot, citing their proven success and dedication to providing meaningful support to vulnerable New Yorkers. Carter highlighted DHS’s ongoing pursuit of innovative, trauma-informed shelter models to better support clients on their path to long-term housing stability. She acknowledged the critical role pets play in the lives of vulnerable households and expressed excitement about introducing this pet-inclusive approach to the DHS shelter system.
Angela Thompson, Vice President of Homeless Families Programs at Urban Resource Institute, described Uplift as heralding “a new era in homeless services.” She emphasized that it’s not just about providing shelter, but also about enabling families to stay together with their pets. Thompson acknowledged the profound positive impact of pets on the healing process and URI’s commitment to supporting families towards stability and self-sufficiency.
The PALS program, since its inception in 2013, has expanded to 11 shelters across New York City, assisting approximately 600 families and 800 pets. Currently, it serves 70 families nightly. While domestic violence shelters operate in partnership with NYC HRA, shelters for homeless families are overseen by DHS. URI’s approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, prioritizing the comprehensive well-being of families, including their pets.
Beyond shelter, URI provides extensive services to both domestic violence and homeless families, including case management, mental health support, counseling, advocacy, transportation assistance, childcare, and food pantry access. The URI Economic Empowerment Program further supports residents with financial education, workforce training, and resources for economic recovery, reinforcing URI’s dedication to breaking cycles of violence and homelessness through a holistic continuum of care.
Senator Nathalia Fernandez lauded the opening of Uplift Families Residence, recognizing pets as cherished family members that offer comfort and stability during challenging times. She affirmed that keeping families and pets together represents a more compassionate and holistic approach to healing.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson thanked URI and DHS for piloting this pet-inclusive facility, stating it will provide unhoused New Yorkers with essential support and resources for healing and empowerment.
New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias emphasized the urgency and necessity of pet-friendly shelters, envisioning a future of transitional housing that is inclusive of pets. She expressed pride in URI’s pilot program in Castle Hill and thanked city officials for their attention to the needs of the Bronx and for prioritizing the safety of women and families escaping domestic violence.
Allie Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR), highlighted the importance of keeping families and their companion animals together, especially during hardship. She pointed out that financial hardship is a major reason animals end up in shelters, and that New York can lead the way by providing pet-friendly spaces, which are currently limited. Taylor believes this initiative will uplift spirits and reduce the burden on animal shelters.
NYC DHS already makes accommodations for verified Emotional Support Animals and service animals on a case-by-case basis. The expansion of the PALS program to include all families experiencing homelessness at Uplift is a crucial step forward. It eliminates a significant barrier to shelter access for pet-owning households and demonstrates DHS’s ongoing commitment to enhancing support for families in need.
About the New York City Department of Homeless Services: The Department of Social Services, encompassing HRA and DHS, serves millions of New Yorkers annually with a wide array of services aimed at poverty reduction, addressing income inequality, and preventing homelessness. HRA administers over 12 major public assistance programs, while DHS manages a network of shelters, services, and outreach programs for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. DSS plays a central role in expanding opportunity, addressing income inequality, stabilizing the lives of homeless New Yorkers, and ensuring vulnerable residents receive necessary benefits and assistance.
About Urban Resource Institute (URI): URI is the nation’s largest provider of temporary housing for domestic violence survivors and a leading provider of transitional housing for homeless families. Committed to ending cycles of violence and homelessness, URI offers trauma-informed, client-centered support. With 24 shelters in New York City, including 15 dedicated to domestic violence survivors, URI provides temporary housing to over 3,700 individuals nightly and trauma-informed programming to around 40,000 people each year. Learn more at www.urinyc.org.
