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Housing Works Inc

EIN 13-3584089 · Brooklyn, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOUSING WORKS IS A VIBRANT, HEALING COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS. OUR MISSION IS TO END THE DUAL CRISES OF HOMELESSNESS AND AIDS THROUGH RELENTLESS ADVOCACY, THE PROVISION OF LIFESAVING SERVICES, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESSES THAT SUSTAIN OUR EFFORTS. OUR PRIMARY AIM IS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND EXPERTISE TO HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING WITH AIDS OR HIV-RELATED ILLNESSES AND TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING FOR HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING WITH AIDS OR HIV-RELATED ILLNESSES.

Income
$63.8 million
Spending
$63.5 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 76%
Employees
807
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$566,893, ex-officio member & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $25.7 million spent. CLINICAL SERVICES - HOUSING WORKS' PRIMARY EXEMPT MISSION IS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH AIDS OR HIV-RELATED ILLNESSES. HOUSING WORKS PROVIDES THESE SERVICES THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF HOUSING WORKS ENTITIES. HOUSING WORKS OFFERS OUR CLIENTS MORE THAN JUST CHECK-UPS: WE HAVE THE OPTION OF EITHER STAND-ALONE MEDICAL SERVICES OR A HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE PROGRAM THAT ALSO INCLUDES MEALS, COUNSELING, WELLNESS, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. HOUSING WORKS HEALTH CARE INTEGRATES PRIMARY CARE, SOCIAL SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES INTO A COHERENT TREATMENT PLAN DESIGNED TO ADDRESS MULTIPLE CHALLENGES, SUCH AS MENTAL ILLNESS, CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, HOMELESSNESS, INCARCERATION, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. HOUSING WORKS ACCEPTS MEDICAID, AND IS OPEN TO PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS. CERTAIN PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OUR TRANSGENDER SERVICES AND DENTAL CLINIC ARE OPEN TO ALL NEW YORKERS, REGARDLESS OF HIV STATUS. OUR SERVICES, LOCATED AT FIVE LOCATIONS IN MANHATTAN ANDBROOKLYN, INCLUDE:PRIMARY CAREMENTAL HEALTH SERVICESA FULL-SERVICE DENTAL CLINICTRANSGENDER SERVICESADULT DAY HEALTH CAREOUR AIDS SERVICES ADDRESS THE COMPLEX ISSUES FACING OUR CLIENTS.SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS:202 UNITS OF HOUSING FOR HOMELESS NEW YORKERS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. FOUR "2 ONE-STOP SHOP" ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTERS AND 98 CASE MANAGERS AND CARE COORDINATORS WHO PROVIDE HELP TO 3,200 CLIENTS ANNUALLY. COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE, DENTAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, TRANSGENDER HEALTH SERVICES, JOB TRAINING, WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND MORE
  2. $35.4 million spent. HOUSING WORKS IS THE LARGEST GRASSROOTS AIDS ORGANIZATION IN THE U.S., AS WELL AS THE LARGEST MINORITY-CONTROLLED AIDS ORGANIZATION.HOUSING WORKS ADVOCACY - WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS MUST LEAD THE FIGHT TO ERADICATE THE DISEASE, A FIGHT THAT INCLUDES ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND AN END TO AIDS STIGMA. ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS: ADVOCACY OFFICES IN NEW YORK CITY, ALBANY AND WASHINGTON, D. C., AND CLOSE COLLABORATIONS WITH AIDS GROUPS IN MISSISSIPPI, HAITI AND PUERTO RICO. SINCE 1995, WEEKLY VISITS BY OUR HIV-POSITIVE CLIENTS TO NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICES IN ALBANY. GROUNDBREAKING IMPACT LITIGATION, INCLUDING A 2004 CASE FORCING NEW YORK CITY TO PROVIDE MEDICALLY APPROPRIATE HOUSING TO HOMELESS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. THE HOUSING WORKS ASYLUM PROJECT IS PROVIDING HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, LEGAL SUPPORT, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, VOLUNTEER WORK, JOB TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT TO LGBT ACTIVISTS FROM NIGERIA, UGANDA, JAMAICA, AND OTHER NATIONS WHO SEEK SANCTUARY IN THE U.S. TO ESCAPE IMPRISONMENT AND VIOLENCE FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WHO THEY LOVE. THE PROJECT BEGAN WITH THE TWO INITIAL INDIVIDUALS FROM NIGERIA, BUT HAS SINCE BLOSSOMED INTO A PROGRAM PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR NEARLY TWO DOZEN ASYLEE APPLICANTS.
  3. $1.9 million spent. CAPITAL PROJECTS, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT - TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH AIDS OR HIV-RELATED ILLNESSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.