Breaking Ground

What Breaking Ground does

Breaking Ground is a New York City-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1990, that develops, owns, and operates supportive and affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Its portfolio comprises roughly 4,476 units of permanent supportive housing across 21 residences plus 171 Scatter Site apartments, and 738 units of transitional housing (Safe Havens), totaling more than 5,000 units of housing serving over 13,000 vulnerable New Yorkers annually and housing more than 5,000 people each night. Property assets include The Times Square (the nation's largest supportive residence, 652 units), 90 Sands (491 units, Brooklyn), The Prince George (416 units), Betances Residence (152-unit Passive House-certified senior housing), and a network of Safe Haven sites in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. The organization also runs 24/7 Street to Home outreach teams in Brooklyn, Queens, and Midtown Manhattan.

Breaking Ground's business model blends four revenue streams: government contracts and operating subsidies (HUD Section 8, HASA and HUD-VASH vouchers, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, NYC DHS/Office of Mental Health contracts); private philanthropy and donations (supporting move-in kits, GPS for outreach teams, and skills-building programs); rental income from tenants capped at approximately 30% of income; and a fee-for-service Tenant Success Service providing regulatory compliance and time-limited social services to private developers of 80/20 and similar mixed-income projects. Distribution occurs primarily through direct government referral partnerships (DHS, HASA, OMH) and a centralized intake line plus lottery/waitlist applications for affordable units. The organization completed a strategic plan with the Robin Hood Foundation and McKinsey & Company (recognized with the Optimas Gold Award for Partnership) and executed a $260M joint acquisition of the Stewart Hotel with Slate Property Group in December 2025 for adaptive-reuse conversion to more than 550 affordable apartments.

Core technology is operational rather than digital-product in nature: Breaking Ground's in-house Quality Assurance & Compliance Department conducts data-informed program evaluation, projects are built to LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, and increasingly Passive House certification standards, and supportive housing operations are managed through property management systems with a centralized intake workflow. External integrations are limited to conventional SaaS — Blackbaud for donations, PayPal/Venmo for payments, Google reCAPTCHA, Google Maps for property location, and Constant Contact for email. The organization is led by President and CEO Brenda Rosen and governed by a board chaired by Michael J. Franco (President and CFO of Vornado Realty Trust), with the support of over 100 institutional funders and a network of social-service delivery partners including CUCS, BronxWorks, SUS, Good Shepherd Services, and The Door.

Name

Breaking Ground

Legal name

Breaking Ground

Website

https://breakingground.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Breaking Ground is a New York City-based nonprofit founded in 1990 that develops, owns, and operates more than 5,000 units of permanent supportive and transitional housing, serving over 13,000 chronically homeless and low-income New Yorkers annually through owned residences, Safe Havens, and 24/7 street outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Supportive and Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)

Keywords

• Supportive housing services
• Affordable housing development
• Homeless outreach programs
• Transitional housing operations
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Subsidies: Breaking Ground relies heavily on government funding including HUD Section 8 vouchers, HASA (HIV/AIDS) vouchers, HUD-VASH vouchers (for veterans), state and city affordable housing subsidies, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Onsite supportive services are paid by public grants and contracts.
2. Private Philanthropy and Donations: The organization accepts charitable gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Donations support programs not fully covered by government contracts, including move-in kits, GPS technology for outreach teams, and skills-building programs.
3. Rental Income: Tenants pay rent typically capped at no more than 30% of their income, supplemented by public subsidies to meet operating costs.
4. Fee for Service - Tenant Success Service: Breaking Ground offers fee-for-service property management and regulatory compliance services to other real estate entities for affordable portions of 80/20 residential projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Breaking Ground is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) supportive and affordable housing developer and operator serving homeless and vulnerable New Yorkers. It develops, owns, and manages nearly 4,500 units of permanent supportive housing across 21 residences plus 171 Scatter Site apartments, operates 738 units of transitional housing through Safe Haven sites, and runs 24/7 Street to Home outreach programs in Brooklyn, Queens, and Midtown Manhattan. Services wrap around housing include case management, medical and mental health services, and skills-building programs.

Product overview

Breaking Ground operates a comprehensive supportive and affordable housing portfolio organized around three core service lines: Street to Home outreach (24/7 engagement in Brooklyn, Queens, and Midtown Manhattan), Transitional Housing through Safe Havens (738 units serving chronically homeless individuals resistant to traditional shelter), and Permanent Supportive Housing (4,476 units across 21 residences plus 171 Scatter Site apartments). The organization develops and operates residential properties including The Times Square (the nation's largest supportive residence with 652 units), The Prince George (416 units with historic ballroom), 90 Sands (491 units in Brooklyn), Betances Residence (152-unit Passive House-certified senior housing), and multiple Safe Haven sites. Ancillary services include the Tenant Success Service (fee-for-service program for private developers), an online donations platform accepting PayPal/Venmo/cryptocurrency, centralized housing applications through phone and email intake, and annual fundraising events including the Celebrating Home & Community Gala. The portfolio spans New York City with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Rochester, NY.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Street to Home Outreach Program 24/7 street outreach program operating in Brooklyn, Queens, and Midtown Manhattan that engages chronically homeless individuals outdoors and connects them to housing and services without preconditions.
• Permanent Supportive Housing Long-term affordable housing with 4,476 units across 21 residences and 171 Scatter Site apartments, paired with wraparound support services including case management, medical care, mental health services, and benefits assistance for formerly homeless individuals.
• Transitional Housing (Safe Havens) 738 units of temporary housing across multiple locations serving chronically homeless individuals who resist traditional shelter, offering intensive on-site case management and clinical services to bridge them to permanent housing.
• Tenant Success Service Fee-for-service program helping private developers of rental apartments with regulatory compliance for affordable units in 80/20 residential projects, plus time-limited social services for tenants exiting homelessness.
• The Times Square Residence 652-unit permanent supportive housing residence at 255 W 43rd St, Manhattan - the largest in the nation and Breaking Ground's flagship historic renovation of the former Times Square Hotel.
• 90 Sands Residence 491-unit former Watchtower Society Residence in DUMBO, Brooklyn converted to supportive and affordable housing - the second-largest supportive residence in the country.
• Betances Residence 152-unit Passive House-certified supportive residence in the South Bronx for seniors (62+) who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.
• Safe Haven Network Collection of transitional housing sites including The Andrews (146 units), East Flatbush (110 units), Midwood (51 units), The Crane (100 units), Williamsburg (78 units), West 83rd Street (80 units), and The Continental (145 units) serving chronically homeless individuals.
• Scatter Site Program 171 units rented in privately-operated buildings for chronically homeless individuals, with supportive services delivered at the Scatter Site program office or at the tenant's apartment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of individuals remain housed one year after placement into permanent supportive housing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Slate Property GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Slate Property Group and Breaking Ground co-acquired the historic Stewart Hotel in Midtown Manhattan for $255 million (reported) / $260 million (CoStar) in late 2025 for conversion into over 550 affordable apartments. This is a major adaptive reuse project scheduled for completion by 2029.
• YWCA RochestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service partner providing individually tailored case management services and links to health, mental health, education, employment, and recreational resources at Eastman Commons.
• SUS (Services for the UnderServed)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service partner providing case management and service linkages for clients.
• The DoorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner operating the Foyer program at The Lee residence for youth aging out of foster care or experiencing homelessness.
• Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partner managing The Lenniger Residence and providing housing resource center services. CUCS accepts HASA applications and handles referrals from the Office of Mental Health.
• BronxWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service partner providing case management and service linkages, including street outreach in the Bronx.
• Entertainment Community FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service partner providing cultural and entertainment resources for tenants.
• ComunilifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service partner providing case management services.
• AAPCIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial service partner providing community health services.
• Partnership for New York CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative with more than 60 member companies to dramatically expand street outreach in key areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
• Good Shepherd ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner operating the first Foyer program serving youth who have aged out of foster care or experienced homelessness at The Christopher residence.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreOthersPartner in creating a five-year strategic plan with Robin Hood Foundation, awarded the Optimas Gold Award for Partnership.
• Robert A.M. Stern ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm partner for Edwin's Place project.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Common Ground / Core supportive housing peers (urban national): Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is a national intermediary that funds, advocates, and consults on supportive housing scale-up. Comparable thematic adjacency as a peer ecosystem actor influencing NYC supportive housing policy and funding alongside Breaking Ground.

Broad incumbents

• Related Companies (Affordable Housing Division): Major NYC real estate developer with one of the largest affordable and supportive housing portfolios in the city. Comparable to Breaking Ground in developing/owning large multifamily affordable assets, broader as a for-profit vertically integrated developer and Breaking Ground's gala honoree/partner.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit CDFI and affordable housing developer/funder with a large NYC presence. Comparable mission to Breaking Ground in creating affordable housing for low-income populations, with broader national scope and financing capabilities beyond Breaking Ground's regional focus.
• Volunteers of America - Greater New York: Regional affiliate of the national VOA network operating supportive and affordable housing across NYC. Comparable in mission and program mix, broader as part of a national organization with diversified service lines.

Direct peers

• CAMBA: Large Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing housing, supportive services, and case management across NYC. Directly comparable to Breaking Ground in operating affordable/supportive housing and partnering with NYC agencies (DHS, HRA) to serve homeless and low-income populations.
• Housing Works: NYC nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS. Comparable to Breaking Ground's HIV/AIDS supportive housing work (HASA-funded units) and broader PSH model.
• Project Renewal: NYC nonprofit operating shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and outreach programs for individuals experiencing homelessness. Direct peer to Breaking Ground across the full continuum of outreach -> transitional -> PSH services.
• Win (formerly Women in Need): NYC's largest provider of shelter, transitional, and permanent supportive housing for homeless families. Directly comparable to Breaking Ground in service portfolio (shelter, transitional, PSH), NYC government funding model, and target populations.
• HELP USA: NYC-based nonprofit supportive housing developer and operator serving homeless and low-income populations. Directly comparable to Breaking Ground in operating model (permanent supportive housing, on-site services, transitional programs), funding sources (HUD, city contracts), and geographic footprint.
• The Doe Fund: NYC nonprofit providing paid transitional work-shelter, supportive housing, and workforce programs for homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals. Comparable model focused on very low-income and chronically homeless NYC populations, with similar government funding mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BreakingGroundNYC

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Breaking Ground