HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
We provide shelter to meet people’s immediate needs, as well as support to succeed as individuals, as families, and as communities. We envision a world where safe and stable housing is a starting point for everyone, because housing is the foundation upon which people can build better lives.
Built on Innovation. Driven by Impact. Celebrating 40 Years of Building Better Lives
In 1986, a bold idea took root in an abandoned lot in East New York. At a time when thousands of families were living in welfare hotels, former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo joined with business and government leaders to launch an innovative model: purpose-built apartments operated by nonprofits that combined temporary housing with on-site support services.
That vision became H.E.L.P. 1—the first facility of its kind. Recognized by Congress as a national demonstration model, H.E.L.P. 1 redefined how the country could respond to homelessness: not as a short-term crisis to contain, but as a systemic challenge to solve with housing, services, and dignity at its core.
Four decades later, HELP USA operates more than 70 sites and programs across the country and has supported nearly 550,000 people. The founding concept of finding a better way still drives the mission, and each day HELP fights back against homelessness at every stage with prevention, emergency shelter, supportive services, and permanent, affordable housing offered to those in crisis.
Learn more about how HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
If you are driven to make a difference and find that our values align with yours, please get in touch—we are always seeking like-minded people to join our team!
Maria Cuomo Cole, Chair Emeritus
