Porter Avenue Housing Development Fund Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO ACQUIRE, REHABILITATE AND OPERATE AN ABANDONED BUILDING LOCATED AT 89-111 PORTER AVENUE IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK FOR USE AS A TRANSITIONAL RESIDENCE FOR FORMERLY HOMELESS MEN OF LOW INCOME. THE RESIDENCE INCLUDES A VARIATION OF THE DOE FUND'S READY, WILLING AND ABLE PROGRAM MODEL. THIS INCLUDES PAID WORK AND TRAINING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND RELAPSE PREVENTION, CASE MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS, LITERACY, GED CLASSES AND EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- -127.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $1.0 million, dir. to 10/24,fmr pres/ceo to 10/22
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: 42 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 182% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $1.5 million spent. THE PETER JAY SHARP CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY IS A STATE-OF-THE-ART, 400-BED TRANSITIONAL RESIDENCE AT 89 PORTER AVENUE IN BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN. DEVELOPED AND OVERSEEN BY THE NONPROFIT THE DOE FUND, IT IS A WORKING COMMUNITY OPERATED BY AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS OR WHO HAVE RETURNED FROM INCARCERATION. AS A HOME OF THE DOE FUND'S READY, WILLING & ABLE PROGRAM, THE CENTER PROVIDES PAID WORK, HOUSING, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO ITS RESIDENTS. THIS "THREE-LEGGED STOOL" MODEL HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION OUT OF HOMELESSNESS, AND MULTIPLE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN IT REDUCES THE CHANCE OF RECIDIVATING BY 62%. THE CENTER BOTH BUILDS COMMUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDES CRUCIAL RESOURCES UNIQUE TO THEIR DIVERSE NEEDS, FROM CASE MANAGEMENT TO CAREER TRAINING, ADDICTION RECOVERY, AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION.IN ADDITION, THE CENTER IS ONE OF THREE ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL LOCATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES. IN THIS CAPACITY, IT PROVIDES SHORT-TERM HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS UNTIL THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO A FACILITY AND/OR PROGRAM BY DHS. THE CENTER ALSO OFFERS BEDS TO INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF READY, WILLING & ABLE WHO ARE WORKING OR LOOKING FOR WORK, BUT DO NOT HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.
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
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 21, 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.