Council Members Robert Holden, Pierina Sanchez and Inna Vernikov supported award to fund housing and services for veterans of all ages and eras

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jericho Project, a nonprofit ending homelessness in New York for 42 years, has been awarded a $340,000 New York City Council Discretionary Grant for Fiscal Year 2026.  This renews funding for Jericho's Veterans Initiative, a comprehensive suite of programs that empowers low-income and at-risk veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

NYC Council Members Robert Holden (District 30), Council Member Inna Vernikov (District 48) and Council Member Pierina Sanchez, whose District 14 represents the areas of the Bronx where Jericho's three Veteran Residences are located, secured this award which is intended to fill funding gaps and address community needs.

"Jericho is grateful to Council Members Pierina Sanchez, Robert Holden and Inna Vernikov for ensuring that our New York City veterans have the dignity of a home and access to important services for mental health and employment. Thanks to them, we can continue our 20-year pledge to help veterans of all ages lead happier, more fulfilled lives," said Jericho Project CEO Tori Lyon.  Jericho spearheaded its groundbreaking Veterans Initiative when troops began returning from Iraq, building upon its experience with the challenges faced by its Vietnam veteran residents.  Today Jericho continues to be a leading advocate serving more than 700 veterans every year with housing and life-changing services.

"Our veterans risked everything to defend our freedoms, and we owe them more than just gratitude—we owe them action. I'm proud to help secure funding for Jericho Project's Veterans Initiative so that those who served our country have access to housing, job opportunities, and the support they deserve to rebuild their lives with dignity," said Council Member Holden, who is Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Veterans.

"Our veterans have sacrificed everything for our country, and we should give them much more than just our gratitude. They deserve real support, and I'm proud to help secure funding for the Jericho Project's Veterans Initiative to deliver critical services and housing to those who have served. This funding ensures that we honor our veterans not with empty words, but with action," said Council Member Vernikov.

This renewed funding will be used to provide a wide array of services including:

• Permanent supportive housing at four veterans-focused residences: Walton House, Fordham Village, Kingsbridge Terrace, and Marine Terrace.
• Employment services through Jericho's Workforce Opportunities (WfO) program connecting veterans with job opportunities, operating in supportive housing in multiple Bronx locations, and delivering services citywide from offices in Manhattan, Queen and the Bronx.
• Homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services via the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH) programs, which together support over 400 veteran households annually.
• Wraparound supports such as mental health counseling, healthcare coordination, benefits navigation, and assistance in securing documents like DD-214s for VA eligibility.

Jericho's current supportive housing spans seven residences and apartments throughout the city enabling clients to have the dignity of housing with their own lease and key in exchange for one-third of their income. Jericho owns and operates 647 units of housing, including 507 units across seven supportive housing residences.

About Jericho Project:  Jericho Project empowers individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity by providing housing and person-centered services to address social inequities. For 42 years, Jericho has provided supportive housing and counseling services to thousands of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse.

Jericho Project employs rigorous fiscal discipline and works with valued public-private partnerships and a foundation of dedicated donors, to advance its mission. Jericho's housing and extended services cost $18,000 per person annually, compared to $50,000 for a single adult shelter, $74,000 for a room in a family shelter, $115,000 for a city jail cell and $1000+ per day for a hospital bed.

For more information: jerichoproject.org | @jerichoproject1983

Media contact:
Lynthia Romney
romneycom@gmail.com
914-589-2140

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SOURCE The Jericho Project