Services for the UnderServed

What Services for the UnderServed does

Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City. It serves more than 37,000 individuals and families annually across New York City, with residential and support services in 42 of the city's 59 community boards. The organization targets vulnerable New Yorkers, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, low-income households earning 40%–80% of area median income, veterans experiencing homelessness, and individuals with behavioral health challenges.

S:US delivers its services through six core program areas: Developmental Disabilities Services, Homeless Services, Low-Income Housing, Behavioral Health Services, Veterans Services, and Urban Farms. The organization owns, leases, and manages more than 4,000 housing units across Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, with an additional 1,500+ units in development. The development pipeline includes Melrose North (171 units, Bronx, completed 2024 with Bronx Pro Group, featuring Passive House design), Starhill Phase I (326 units, Morris Heights, Bronx, groundbreaking 2024), and Marcus Garvey Extension Phase 2 (287 units, Brownsville, Brooklyn, groundbreaking 2025). S:US does not operate a proprietary technology platform; services are delivered directly through shelters, supportive housing sites, community centers, outreach programs, and partnerships with city agencies, architecture firms, and community-arts organizations.

Funding comes primarily from government contracts (NYC Department of Homeless Services, HPD, Medicaid), foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. Services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries. Annual fundraising includes the Dinner for a Better New York gala (which raised over $1.6 million in 2026, up from $1.5M in 2025 and $1.2M in 2024) and additional sub-brands such as Urban Farms, S:UStainer monthly giving, and the S:USTAIN Legacy Society. The organization operates with 1,001–5,000 employees and is led by President & CEO Perry Perlmutter; the prior CEO transition was from Donna Colonna to Dr. Jorge R. Petit in 2022. S:US is incorporated in New York State, governed by a Board of Directors, and has no parent company, public shareholders, or external equity ownership.

Name

Services for the UnderServed

Legal name

Services for the UnderServed, Inc.

Website

https://sus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is a 1978-founded New York City nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, veterans, and homelessness services to 37,000+ vulnerable individuals and families annually across 42 of NYC's 59 community boards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIANAC

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Housing, Urban Planning & Community Development

SECONDARYBPAGAEAB

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAIACAK

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

Keywords

• Supportive housing services
• Homeless services
• Behavioral health services
• Developmental disabilities services
• Affordable housing development

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Grants: S:US receives funding through government contracts with city and state agencies for homeless services, supportive housing, behavioral health services, and veterans programs. This includes Medicaid funding, HPD contracts, and NYC Department of Homeless Services agreements.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Annual fundraising gala Dinner for a Better New York raised over $1.6 million in 2026. Additional revenue comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

S:US is a nonprofit social services organization that provides direct human services to vulnerable New Yorkers, including supportive and affordable housing (4,000+ units owned, leased and managed), emergency shelters, behavioral health and substance use treatment, intellectual and developmental disabilities programs, veterans services, and a horticulture-based Urban Farms program. Services are funded through government contracts, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations, and are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries.

Product overview

Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is a nonprofit social services organization founded in 1978 that provides a portfolio of interconnected programs serving vulnerable New Yorkers. The core offerings include Developmental Disabilities Services, Homeless Services, Low-Income Housing, Behavioral Health Services, Veterans Services, and Urban Farms. S:US operates as one unified organization with multiple service lines rather than separate product modules, providing housing, employment, skills-building, treatment, and recovery services to tens of thousands of individuals and families annually. Notable housing developments include Melrose North (171-unit supportive housing awarded the 2026 Berger Prize) and Starhill Phase I and II. The organization also hosts signature fundraising events including the annual Dinner for a Better New York, and operates Urban Farms programs for food security.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Farms: S:US Urban Farms uses horticulture to improve wellness and help participants achieve their personal and professional goals, growing fresh produce for community consumption.
• S:UStainer
• S:USTAIN Legacy Society

Products and services

• Developmental Disabilities Services Programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, honoring personal choices, expanding possibilities, and supporting journeys toward personal fulfillment through residential services, day programs, employment, skills-building, and family support.
• Homeless Services Shelter and support services for homeless individuals and families, including shelters for those with mental health challenges, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence survivors; includes emergency shelter, transitional housing, street outreach, and prevention services.
• Low-Income Housing Affordable and supportive housing development and management. S:US owns, leases and manages more than 4,000 housing units in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, with an additional 1,500+ units in development.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health and substance use treatment services aimed at addressing the high unemployment (60-80%) among people living with mental illness and reducing incarceration due to mental illness.
• Veterans Services Services supporting veterans experiencing homelessness in New York City, including housing resources, benefits advocacy, and discharge upgrades. Contributed to NYC's nearly 90% reduction in veteran homelessness since 2011.
• Urban Farms Horticulture-based program using green spaces to improve wellness and help participants achieve personal and professional goals, including community gardens, fresh produce growing, and food security initiatives.
• Melrose North 171-unit supportive and affordable housing development in the Bronx featuring Passive House design, community and computer rooms, children's play area, community garden, 24-hour security, and accessible ramp to Melrose Metro-North station. Awarded the 2026 Berger Prize by the Design Trust for Public Space.

Quantifiable outcome

• 37,000+ individuals and families served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Bronx Pro GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development partner for Melrose North (171-unit supportive and affordable housing in the Bronx) and Starhill redevelopment (326 units in Morris Heights, Bronx). Long-standing commitment to Bronx community.
• Curtis + Ginsberg ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm that designed Melrose North, advancing wellness, safety, and pride for residents through Passive House design.
• DreamYard ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity arts partner at Melrose North, operating approximately 5,000 square feet of youth arts education facility space. Infused creativity and connection to help residents feel rooted in a vibrant, culturally rich neighborhood.
• NYC Department of Health and Mental HygienecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on rooftop reception and Social Justice Agenda discussion on health and mental health access and equity. Partnership supporting city-wide collaborations.
• Brooklyn Community Services (BCS)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on NYC Mural Arts Project (NYCMAP) to create murals in East Harlem addressing mental health themes.
• NYC Mural Arts Project (NYCMAP)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to address mental health stigma through public art.
• Community Care RxminorOthers2025 Healthcare Honoree at Dinner for a Better New York. Shared commitment to dignity, access, and compassionate care.
• D&J TransportationminorOthers2025 Honoree at Dinner for a Better New York. Supports organization uplifting vulnerable community members.
• Richman Housing Resources LLCminorOthers2026 Honoree at Dinner for a Better New York. Affordable housing leader recognized for contributions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HELP USA: NYC-focused nonprofit operating shelters, transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. Directly comparable in shelter and supportive housing development model.
• CAMBA: Large Brooklyn-based nonprofit delivering housing, workforce development, family services, and HIV/AIDS supportive housing. Comparable in scale, NYC focus, and multi-service nonprofit model serving vulnerable populations.
• Coalition for the Homeless: NYC advocacy and direct-service nonprofit focused on homelessness prevention, shelter, and housing policy. Comparable mission and NYC-only footprint, with overlapping shelter and supportive housing programs.
• Project Renewal: NYC nonprofit providing shelter, supportive housing, employment, and behavioral health services to homeless and low-income individuals. Directly comparable to S:US across the same service lines, NYC-only footprint, and government-contract funding model.
• Housing Works: NYC nonprofit combining housing, healthcare, and advocacy services for homeless and low-income individuals, including those with HIV/AIDS. Comparable service overlap with S:US's homeless and behavioral health programs.
• Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC): Major NYC nonprofit providing shelter, transitional housing, and workforce services to homeless and low-income individuals. Closely comparable to S:US on homeless services and NYC government-funded operations.
• Henry Street Settlement: Long-standing NYC Lower East Side settlement house providing housing, social services, behavioral health, and arts programs. Comparable in mission, multi-segment service portfolio, and government-funded nonprofit structure.
• The Bridge: NYC nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, housing, and rehabilitation services to vulnerable New Yorkers. Comparable in behavioral health and supportive housing delivery, with NYC government contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey: Larger regional nonprofit providing workforce development, employment, and training services to individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment. Comparable overlap with S:US's I/DD services segment.

Regional players

• BronxWorks: Bronx-based nonprofit providing housing assistance, workforce development, immigration services, and youth programs. Comparable service mix and nonprofit model but narrower geographic concentration than S:US.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sus_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/ServicesfortheUnderServed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/services-for-the-underserved
• Instagraminstagram.com/sus_org

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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 Services for the UnderServed