HELP USA hosted Upstream Symposium 2026: Frontline Solutions to Homelessness on October 21, bringing together leaders from government, housing, research, and homeless services to examine how New York City can move from a reactive right-to-shelter system toward a proactive right-to-housing strategy.
The symposium explored the policy changes, housing solutions, supportive services, and prevention strategies needed to make permanent housing the goal of the homelessness response system.
SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS
Introductory & Welcome Remarks
Danielle Devine and Ramzy Badawy, Co-Emcees, HELP USA
Dan Lehman, President and CEO, HELP USA
Opening Plenary: Housing as the Goal: Moving Beyond a Shelter-First Response
The opening conversation brought together local and international perspectives on the right to housing, examining lessons from Finland’s Housing First approach and opportunities to strengthen New York City’s housing response.
Dan Lehman, President and CEO, HELP USA (Moderator)
Rob Robinson, Community Organizer and Human Rights Advocate
Ted Houghton, Principal, Terra Linda Housing Services
Juha Kahila, Head of International Affairs, Y-Säätiö Foundation (Finland)
Policy Panel: From Shelter Obligation to Housing Strategy
Panelists examined the funding, regulatory, and administrative changes needed to make permanent housing more accessible, including housing supply, rental assistance, and better coordination between government agencies and housing providers.
Rafael E. Cestero, The Community Preservation Corporation (Moderator)
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner and CEO, NYS Division of Homes & Community Renewal
Carlina Rivera, President and CEO, New York State Association for Affordable Housing
Joshua Johnson, Vice President of Training and Technical Assistance, National Alliance to End Homelessness
Andrea Reid, Executive Deputy Commissioner, New York City Human Resources Administration
Practice Panel: The Missing Path from Crisis to Home
The discussion focused on the challenges individuals and families face when transitioning into permanent housing, highlighting the importance of coordinated services, stronger connections between providers, and ongoing support to help people remain stably housed.
Baaba Halm, Senior Vice President of Programs, Enterprise Community Partners (Moderator)
Pascale Leone, Executive Director, Supportive Housing Network of New York
Daniel Farrell, Chief Operating Officer, HELP USA
Dawn M. Pinnock, President and CEO, Center for Urban Community Services
Peter-Gaye Anderson, HELP USA Resident
Findings Panel: What Prevention Data Teaches Us About Keeping People Housed
The final panel examined how research, technology, and data can improve homelessness prevention. HELP USA presented its Homebase Accelerator, developed with funding from the Citi Foundation through its Global Innovation Challenge, a digital platform designed to streamline access to prevention services, identify households facing urgent housing crises, and reduce administrative delays.
- Melissa Mowery, Senior Vice President, HomeBase, Workforce Development, Refugee & Asylee Services, CAMBA, Inc. (Moderator)
- Ashwin Parulkar, AVP, Research, HELP USA
- Syrena Huggins, AVP, Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Services, HELP USA
- Kinsey Dinan, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Research and Policy Innovation, NYC Department of Social Services
SPONSORS
HELP USA extends its appreciation to Broadway Builders, Graham Company, and Lamb Insurance Services for their support of Upstream Symposium 2026.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to Upstream Symposium 2026.