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Who We Are

The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless (NSCH) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate homelessness on Long Island and improve the lives of Long Islanders who are homeless or facing homelessness.  NSCH was founded in 1985 as an advocacy and information/referral organization to help homeless individuals and families throughout Long Island.  Since that time, NSCH's network has grown to include over 125 agencies and organizations and approximately 100 individuals. 

 

What We Do

The purpose of the coalition has expanded to include the coordination of homeless services provided by more than 125 agencies through the development of the Continuum of Care groups in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  Since 1995, NSCH has also coordinated applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homeless funding.  NSCH's successful coordination of the Continuum of Care applications have resulted in over $91 million in funding for housing and services for Long Island's homeless since 1996.  NSCH has also provided technical assistance to organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties whose services do not meet the criteria for HUD funding, but are essential for meeting the needs of the homeless.

This assistance has taken several forms, including but not limited to:

  • Assistance in the preparation of proposals

  • Information about HUD and other sources of funding

  • Person- to- person exchanges with Coalition staff and Board members resulting in further understanding of HUD guidelines

  • Training seminars on housing development, grant writing, and researching various funding sources

  • Providing linkages between experienced housing and service providers and smaller, less experienced agencies to enable those smaller organizations to improve their programs

  • Networking of organizations to provide a more seamless Continuum of Care in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO CALL THESE HOME.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NSCH concentrates on media coverage of homeless issues and advocates on behalf of the rights of the less fortunate through presentations at meetings and hearings, letter-writing campaigns, petitions, public service announcements, radio/TV appearances, lectures and seminars, and demonstrations.

NSCH educates the public and advocates for the development of three types of housing:

 
  • Emergency housing - so no one has to sleep on the street.
  • Transitional housing - so families and individuals with problems can be assisted in a service-supported, homelike environment.
  • Permanent Low Cost Housing - so families and individuals working in low-wage jobs and those on public assistance can have decent, safe housing for themselves and their children.

Housing Advocacy Program

The Housing Advocacy Program at NSCH offers information, referrals and linkages for homeless individuals and/or families to organizations providing housing and services.  Services to which clients may be referred include emergency, transitional or permament housing; medical or psychiatric services; vocational and educational training; and legal assistance.  Linkages are also provided to the Department of Social Services and the Social Security Administration.  Each year, more than 300 people receive assistance through this program.

 

Nassau County Shelter Case Management Program

The Nassau County Shelter Case Management Program is designed to assist individuals with psychiatric disabilities in emergency housing access permanent, supportive housing.  Program staff will assist clients in emergency housing with submitting applications for permanent housing, gathering required documentation and making appropriate referrals.   

 

Emergency Cash Relief Fund

NSCH operates an Emergency Cash Relief Fund to assist individuals and/or families in preventing homelessness or re-establishing housing.  Assistance is provided in the form of a one-time cash grant to eligible applicants.  In addition, NSCH receives donations of furniture, housewares and appliances which are distributed to homeless or formerly homeless families in need.  More than 200 families and individuals have benefited from this program.

 

Other Programs and Events

 

Homeless Facts

  • Homelessness is a problem on Long Island, and the numbers are steadily rising.
  • Thousands of Long Islanders are homeless.  Two-thirds are members of families, fifty percent (50%) are children.
  • Three-quarters of Long Island's homeless are unseen, moving from one emergency situation to the next, often living doubled or tripled up with relatives or friends.
  • Twenty-five percent (25%) of Long Island's homeless live on the street, in abandoned cars, vacant buildings or in dangerous housing.

 

With the recent changes in our state and federal government, homeless and housing advocates will need to have a stronger and more effective voice, and must be able to quickly respond to all issues that need our attention.  

 

NSCH is dedicated to uniting our entire community. 
Help us help Long Island's homeless.