Joseph's House & Shelter

What Joseph's House & Shelter does

Joseph's House & Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 in Troy, New York, that provides a continuum of homeless services across the Capital Region (Rensselaer and Albany Counties). Its programs include 24/7 emergency shelter for single adults and families at the Ferry Street facility; permanent supported housing at Hill Street Inn, Lansing Inn, and Kendal House (collectively ~76–78 units); mobile street outreach operating 365 days/year across both counties from a Menands headquarters; rapid re-housing; a diversion program; a prisoner re-entry program in partnership with the Rensselaer County District Attorney's office; and management of the Rensselaer County Homeless Services Collaborative Coordinated Entry System. The organization serves approximately 2,000–2,500 individuals annually and operates five facilities across Troy, Albany, and Menands.

Joseph's House generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit funding mix: individual donations (collected via the Zeffy platform, mail, and recurring monthly giving), government contracts (most notably a $1.8 million three-year commitment from Albany County and the City of Albany for the Albany Navigates pilot), foundation grants (Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for outreach; New York Bar Foundation for case management), event fundraising (Winter Gathering, Birdies for a Cause Golf Tournament, Stickball Tournament, Executive Director's Awards), and in-kind donations of goods such as toiletries, food, clothing, and blankets. All services are delivered free of charge to clients.

The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform. Its technical footprint consists of a Squarespace-hosted website, a Zeffy donation portal, Constant Contact email newsletters, and a Bonfire merchandise storefront. Strategic priorities include the Albany Navigates expansion, restoration of volunteer-driven outreach services, and a 2026 Annual Appeal targeting $40,000 to meet rising demand. Leadership transitioned in 2023 when Amy LaFountain, then Director of Supported Housing and an 18+ year veteran of the organization, became Executive Director.

Name

Joseph's House & Shelter

Legal name

Joseph's House and Shelter, Inc.

Website

https://josephshousetroy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Joseph's House & Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 in Troy, NY, providing emergency shelter, permanent supported housing, street outreach, and reentry services to approximately 2,500 homeless individuals and families annually across New York's Capital Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization receives donations from individuals through its website (via Zeffy platform), mail-in checks, and recurring monthly giving programs. The 2026 Annual Appeal aims to raise $40,000.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Government funding from Albany County and the City of Albany committed $1.8 million over 3 years for the Albany Navigates program. Rapid Re-Housing and Coordinated Entry services are supported through government contracts.
3. Foundation Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations including The New York Bar Foundation ($4,000 grant) and Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for program support.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Winter Gathering, Birdies for a Cause Golf Tournament, Stickball Tournament, and Executive Director's Awards generate sponsorship revenue and direct donations.
5. In-Kind Donations: Community partners donate goods including toiletries, food, clothing, blankets, and other necessities that support shelter operations.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Joseph's House & Shelter provides emergency overnight shelter, mobile street outreach, permanent supported housing, rapid re-housing, prisoner re-entry support, diversion programs, and coordinated entry system management to homeless individuals and families in the New York Capital Region. Services are delivered free of charge at five physical facilities and through mobile outreach operations 24/7/365, supported by case management, meals, and in-kind donations.

Product overview

Joseph's House & Shelter is a nonprofit homeless services organization, not a technology company. It provides a continuum of homeless services through multiple interconnected programs including: Emergency Shelter (single and family units), Street Outreach Services (mobile casework serving Albany and Rensselaer Counties), Permanent Supported Housing (Hill Street Inn, Lansing Inn, Kendal House, and the Bethune scattered-site program), Rapid Re-Housing assistance, Diversion programs, Prisoner Re-Entry support, and Coordinated Entry system management. The organization operates Code Blue emergency winter sheltering and relies on volunteer meal preparation and community donation drives. The programs are integrated through a housing-first approach focused on providing non-judgmental services to end homelessness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 2,500+ individuals in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• CARES of NY, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024Key implementation partner in the Albany Navigates Pilot Program - a partnership between City of Albany, Albany County, and CARES of NY to approach homelessness collaboratively. CARES provides strategic planning, program data, and housing expertise. Joseph's House serves as homeless outreach lead and provides mobile casework services.
• City of AlbanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024Committed combined $1.8 million over 3 years alongside Albany County for the Albany Navigates Pilot Program to address homelessness. Works with Joseph's House as lead homeless outreach partner.
• Albany CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024Committed combined $1.8 million over 3 years alongside City of Albany for the Albany Navigates Pilot Program. Partners with Joseph's House for homeless outreach and services.
• Homeless Action Committee (HAC) - AlbanysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Joseph's House acquired HAC programs in 2019 including SRO Permanent Supported Housing Program and Homeless Street Outreach Program, now known as Kendal House.
• St. Catherine's Center for ChildrensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Albany Navigates program and homeless services ecosystem in Albany County, collaborating with Joseph's House on outreach.
• ZeffysupportingTechnology or Integration100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits that Joseph's House uses for online donations. Does not charge processing fees so all contributions go to the organization.
• DeFazio's PizzeriasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Stickball Tournament organizer for over 20 years to raise funds and supplies for Joseph's House, raising awareness of child homelessness.
• Trustco BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary event sponsor for Stickball Tournament for third consecutive year, contributed $1,750 plus nearly $2,000 in donations and supplies.
• Supportive Housing Network of New YorksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization Joseph's House partners with to shape the future of supported housing. Staff attend annual conferences for best practices.
• Area Hospitals (Albany Medical Center, St. Peter's Hospital, Samaritan Hospital)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PIT Count efforts and through Albany Navigates program providing casework services at hospital emergency rooms to reach homeless individuals.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities Housing Office: Regional Catholic Charities affiliate operating homeless shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing programs across the Capital Region. Directly comparable in service mix, broader geographic reach, and stable institutional funding.
• The Salvation Army: International nonprofit operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, and social services nationwide, including in the Capital Region. Overlaps with Joseph's House on emergency shelter and family services but operates as a broad, multi-service incumbent rather than a homelessness specialist.
• Coalition for the Homeless: New York City-based advocacy and direct-service nonprofit operating shelters and supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. Comparable service portfolio and housing-first philosophy, but operates at much larger city-wide scale.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit operating a broad portfolio of housing, homeless services, and behavioral health programs. Comparable in providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and re-entry services, but at a national scale with far greater funding diversification.

Direct peers

• CARES of NY, Inc. Albany-based nonprofit specializing in housing and homelessness programs across New York. Co-implementation partner with Joseph's House on the Albany Navigates Pilot, providing strategic planning, program data, and housing expertise for homeless services.
• Unity House of Troy: Troy, NY-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and support services to homeless and low-income individuals in Rensselaer County. Operates overlapping emergency shelter, supportive housing, and case-management programs in the same geographic market, including where Joseph's House Deputy Director previously worked.
• Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC): Large New York City-based nonprofit providing shelter, supportive housing, and street outreach services to homeless individuals. Directly comparable service model (emergency shelter + supportive housing + outreach) at significantly larger scale, serving as a benchmark for what scaled-up regional operators can become.
• St. Catherine's Center for Children: Albany-based nonprofit serving children, youth, and families facing homelessness and crisis. Partner in the Albany Navigates program and overlapping provider of family shelter, rapid re-housing, and supportive services in Albany County.

Others

• Supportive Housing Network of New York: Statewide membership association of supportive housing providers, including Joseph's House. Industry network and advocacy body rather than a direct service peer, but shapes the funding, policy, and best-practice environment in which Joseph's House operates.

Regional players

• Troy Area United Ministries: Troy, NY-based interfaith nonprofit providing emergency assistance, food, and homelessness prevention services in Rensselaer County. Comparable in geographic focus and client population but with a narrower service scope than Joseph's House.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/follow

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Joseph's House & Shelter