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BREAKING GROUND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND CORPORATION
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 113048002 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE L80Z · Housing & Shelter · Large ($10M-$50M) · breakingground.org
revenue
$35.6M
expenses
$25.0M
net assets
$157.6M
employees
0
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

WE OFFER AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS AND VULNERABLE NEW YORKERS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Breaking Ground is a New York City-based nonprofit that develops and operates permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The organization combines affordable housing with wraparound services such as mental health care, benefits assistance, and employment support. It also runs street outreach programs and transitional housing to help individuals transition off the streets and into stable, long-term housing.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $3.45M
    SCATTER SITE LIVING PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY IN AN APARTMENT SETTING WHILE STILL RECEIVING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THESE PROGRAMS ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY AND MOVE TOWARD GREATER STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE. CLIENTS WORK WITH CASE MANAGERS TO DEVELOP MUTUALLY AGREEABLE GOALS AND SERVICE PLANS AIMED AT IMPROVING THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIVES. SOME OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE:*DAILY LIVING SKILLS AND MONEY MANAGEMENT *POSITIVE SOCIAL NETWORKING AND FAMILY INTEGRATION *MEDICATION MANAGEMENT *VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES *HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES*CRISIS INTERVENTION *CLIENT SELF-ADVOCACY STREET TO HOME OUTREACH
  2. #2 $1.58M
    PARK HOUSE AND WEBSTER AVENUE PARK HOUSE IS BREAKING GROUND'S FIRST AFFORDABLE FAMILY PROJECT. IT SHARES A LARGE SITE WITH A COMPANION BUILDING, WEBSTER AVENUE SUPPORTIVE RESIDENCE, RECLAIMING A BROWNFIELD SITE. THE 243,760 SF, 12-STORY PROJECT CONTAINS 248 STUDIO, ONE-, TWO-,AND THREE-BEDROOM UNITS THAT ARE HOME TO LOW-INCOME WORKING ADULTS AND FAMILIES.WEBSTER AVENUE SUPPORTIVE RESIDENCE PROVIDES 170 MICROSTUDIO APARTMENTS FOR FORMERLY HOMELESS SINGLE ADULTS - MANY LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS OR SPECIAL NEEDS - AND LOW-INCOME WORKING ADULTS FROM THE BRONX COMMUNITY. TOGETHER, PARK HOUSE AND WEBSTER PROVIDE 418 UNITS OF SUPPORTIVE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE TREMONT SECTION OF THE BRONX.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Connect to Care
Outreach program operating in discrete geographic areas and private retail locations through contracts with corporate partners to identify and connect street homeless individuals with services.
Foyer Program
Youth-focused program serving young people who have aged out of foster care or experienced homelessness, offered in partnership with Good Shepherd Services and The Door at designated residences.
Permanent Supportive Housing
Operation of nearly 4,500 units of affordable housing with on-site wraparound services including mental health care, substance use referrals, and employment support to help residents maintain long-term stability.
Street to Home
24/7 street outreach program in Brooklyn, Queens, and Midtown Manhattan that engages individuals experiencing homelessness where they are, offering counseling and connection to services to move them toward permanent housing.
Transitional Housing
Short-term housing with intensive support services for individuals transitioning from street homelessness, including the Veterans Transitional Residence and Safe Haven residences like The Andrews.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 6 activities
    • Delivers street outreach services in NYC
      Provides 24/7 street outreach services as the sole provider for Brooklyn and Queens, making contact with over 2,000 homeless individuals annually and connecting more than 500 to housing and supportive services. Piloted a model that reduced street homelessness in Times Square by 87%, leading to citywide adoption of key components.
    • Develops and manages permanent supportive and affordable housing
      Develops, owns, and manages over 5,000 units of permanent supportive and affordable housing across New York City for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those living with HIV/AIDS, mental illness, or physical disabilities. The organization has more than 2,000 additional units in development, including Passive House-certified buildings designed for energy efficiency and sustainability.
    • Operates large-scale supportive housing residences
      Operates some of the largest supportive housing facilities in New York City, including the 652-apartment Times Square Residence—the largest supportive residence in the country—and The Andrews, the city’s largest Safe Haven for individuals with long-term street homelessness. Also operates Park House in the Bronx, the first family-focused affordable residence with over half of its 248 units offering two- or three-bedroom apartments.
    • Provides nightly shelter and housing to thousands
      Provides nightly housing to over 5,000 individuals through its housing programs, with capacity to shelter more than 6,000 people nightly. Serves over 13,000 vulnerable New Yorkers annually through a continuum of outreach, transitional, and permanent housing programs.
    • Provides transitional housing with intensive support services
      Operates transitional housing programs with 24/7 on-site case management and support services to help individuals secure permanent housing. Includes the Veterans Transitional Residence with 96 beds in Westchester County and specialized programs for individuals unlikely to use traditional shelters.
    • Supports housing stability and retention
      Ensures high rates of housing retention, with over 95% of placed individuals remaining stably housed and 98% of individuals in special needs supportive housing units remaining housed one year after placement. Places at least 500 individuals annually into transitional or permanent housing.
  • Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
    • Expands housing for young adults and families
      Developed the first Foyer program in New York City for young adults without family support, expanded to a second site at The Lee in collaboration with The Door, and is developing new apartments at 1760 3rd Avenue in East Harlem opening in 2026. Park House in the Bronx is the agency’s first affordable residence primarily for families.
  • Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
    • Generates mission-supporting revenue through facility rentals
      Restored and operates the historic 19th-century Beaux-Arts ballroom at the Prince George as a rental venue, with proceeds supporting the organization’s mission.
  • Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
    • Operates community and sustainability programs at housing sites
      Operates a 2,500 square foot community garden with educational and recreational programming at 39 Hegeman Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and runs a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program providing weekly fresh produce from June to November to tenants of the Prince George and residents of the Madison Square District.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$35.56M
Contributions & grants$20.04M56%
Program service revenue$14.20M40%
Investment income$809K2%
Other revenue$513K
expenses
Total expenses$25.04M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$10.01M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$220.90M
Cash$7.52M
Investments$0
Liabilities$63.26M
Net assets$157.63M
Liquid reserves3.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +12.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BRENDA ROSEN PRESIDENT & CEO 10 $656K
KEVIN MORAN CFO 10 $416K
board members · 16
  • ANDY D'AMICO — DIRECTOR
  • ANNIE TIRSCHWELL — DIRECTOR
  • BEN STACKS — TREASURER
  • DAVID PICKET — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID WALSH — DIRECTOR
  • KARA MCSHANE — DIRECTOR
  • KIRK GOODRICH — DIRECTOR
  • LOUISE CARROLL — DIRECTOR
  • MARK LEVY — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL FRANCO — CHAIRMAN
  • MICHAEL LASCHER — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL RYAN — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL WERNER — DIRECTOR
  • NICHOLAS TSANG — SECRETARY
  • PETER EZERSKY — DIRECTOR (THRU 12/2024)
  • RICHARD ROBERTS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 25

Who they work with

  • African American Planning Commission, Inc. Partner — Partner on the Edwin's Place project, providing supportive housing for 125 households in Brooklyn.
  • Alexander Gorlin Architects Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Bernheimer Architecture Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Beyer Blinder Belle Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • COOKFOX Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Center for Urban Community Services Partner — Partner in the Manhattan Outreach Consortium to serve people experiencing street homelessness in Manhattan.
  • Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) Partner — Partner organization with which Breaking Ground collaborates to operate permanent supportive family housing at The Lenniger Residence and manages The Sydelle in the Bronx.
  • Dattner Architects Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Ennead Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • FXCollaborative Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Friends of Breaking Ground Partner — Affinity group of the Junior Board participating in fundraising and marathon team selection.
  • Goddard Riverside Community Center Partner — Partner in the Manhattan Outreach Consortium to serve people experiencing street homelessness in Manhattan.
  • Good Shepherd Services Partner — Operates the Foyer program for youth at the Christopher residence in partnership with Breaking Ground.
  • Jonathan Kirschenfeld Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Junior Board Partner — Affinity group involved in selecting charity runners for the TCS New York City Marathon.
  • McKinsey & Co. Partner — Partnered with Breaking Ground and Robin Hood Foundation to create a five-year strategic plan
  • NYC Department of Homeless Services Government — Refers individuals experiencing homelessness to the NYC Department of Homeless Services for emergency housing assistance.
  • New York City Council Government — Julie Menin, Speaker of the New York City Council, honored at the gala for work in affordable housing and economic opportunity
  • Partnership for New York City Partner — Collaborates with Breaking Ground and over 60 member companies to expand street outreach in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
  • Robert A.M. Stern Architects Partner — Collaborates on architectural design for supportive housing projects.
  • Robin Hood Foundation Partner — Partnered with Breaking Ground and McKinsey & Co. to create a five-year strategic plan
  • The Door Partner — Collaborates with The Door on the development and operation of the Foyer site at The Lee.
  • The Door Partner — Operates the second Foyer program at the Lee residence on the Lower East Side in partnership with Breaking Ground.
  • The Related Companies Partner — Honored at the Celebrating Home & Community Gala for contributions to affordable housing
  • VA's Hudson Valley Healthcare system Partner — Hosts the Veterans Transitional Residence on its Montrose, NY campus in collaboration with Breaking Ground.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Continuum of Care Model
    methodology: continuum_of_care
    By offering a progressive sequence of outreach and housing interventions, we support vulnerable individuals from the streets to permanent housing, because staged support matches people where they are and guides them toward long-term stability.
  • Harm Reduction in Shelter Engagement
    methodology: harm_reduction
    By minimizing entry barriers and requirements in Safe Haven shelters, we reduce harm and increase engagement among individuals resistant to traditional shelters, because low-threshold environments build trust and create pathways to stability.
  • Housing First Model
    methodology: housing_first
    By providing permanent supportive housing without preconditions such as sobriety or program completion, we produce long-term housing stability and recovery, because stable housing is a foundational prerequisite for individuals to engage in health, mental health, and social services.
  • Housing Is Healthcare
    methodology: housing-is-healthcare
    By treating stable housing as a clinical intervention, we improve health outcomes including sobriety and overall well-being, because housing stability reduces stressors and enables consistent engagement with health services.
  • Relationship-Based Outreach for Unsheltered Populations
    methodology: relationship-based_outreach
    By building trust through persistent, person-centered outreach, we engage individuals who avoid traditional services, because sustained relationships overcome skepticism and open doors to housing and support.