Many people experiencing homelessness get caught in a revolving door that shuffles them in and out of shelters repeatedly without ever leading to true stability. Jericho Project, a nationally acclaimed social service provider serving nearly 3,000 New Yorkers each year, puts an end to the revolving door by addressing the root causes of homelessness.
“By pairing permanent supportive housing with person-centered services in mental health, employment, and family stability, Jericho Project helps individuals move off the streets and on with life,” says Tori Lyon, CEO of Jericho Project. “Once housed and supported, roughly 95 percent of our program participants do not return to homelessness.”
Jericho Project has a long history of helping New York’s homeless community
Jericho Project was founded over four decades ago when three Episcopal churches answered the call to help address New York’s burgeoning homeless crisis. Today, it provides more than 700 units of permanent supportive housing, including seven residences in the Bronx and Harlem, as well as scatter-site apartments throughout New York City.
Lyon has been with the organization since 1996, joining as Director of Development before advancing to Associate Executive Director in 1999, Executive Director in 2005, and CEO in 2016. With over 30 years of experience in the supportive housing sector, Lyon brings evidence-based solutions to Jericho’s strategic planning, fundraising, housing and program development, and executive management.
“Our approach at Jericho Project has evolved from an initial focus on delivering housing and services to an integrated model that pursues housing stability through employment, wellness, and long-term community support,” Lyon explains. “We’ve built a more effective organization by strengthening our cross-sector partnerships, expanding workforce development initiatives, and embracing more data-informed strategies to measure outcomes and refine programs.”
Jericho Project improves housing stability with a holistic service model
The decades of success Jericho Project has experienced can be attributed in large part to its commitment to meeting its program participants where they are. Its holistic service model allows individuals to connect with Jericho’s extensive, results-based programs at their level of need. Program participants get support that makes a difference, whether they are one paycheck away from homelessness or coming from a shelter.
“We strive to provide people-centered programs that ensure all program participants are treated with dignity,” Lyon says. “We cater to people of all ages striving to better their mental and physical health, those looking to gain or sustain employment or pursue educational opportunities, and individuals hoping to unite with their families.”
By blending a deep understanding of homelessness issues with innovative programs, Jericho Project can achieve its notable results at a cost that is significantly lower than the alternatives. It provides housing and life-changing support services for approximately $18,000 per adult program participant per year and $25,000 per family per year. In comparison, a cot in a New York City shelter costs $50,000 per year.
“We’ve developed solutions to ending homelessness that are impactful while also being cost-effective,” Lyon says. “Our approach benefits not only individuals and families, but taxpayers and the broader community by providing services that work while costing far less than shelters, incarceration, or emergency hospital care.”
Jericho Project’s Workforce Opportunities Program sets and achieves employment goals
Jericho Project’s efforts to break the cycle of homelessness for its program participants rely heavily on its Workforce Opportunities (WfO) Program, which helps hundreds of individuals each year build the skills they need to secure and sustain meaningful employment. Over 25 percent of Jericho’s adult program participants participate in its WfO initiatives. In 2025, that participation resulted in employment for 252 individuals who earned an average wage of $20.08 per hour.
“When individuals have been disconnected from the workforce for extended periods of time, which is often the case with those experiencing homelessness, they are marginalized from traditional workforce development programs,” Lyon explains. “The WfO Program helps people to reconnect with the workforce. It’s a program built upon universal support provided by career counselors who help program participants set and achieve their employment goals with consistent engagement. All WfO participants get access to trainings, workshops, resume and job search assistance, referrals to job training and educational resources, and work retention and advancement support.”
Homelessness is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive and holistic solution. By addressing the wide variety of issues that contribute to housing instability, Jericho Project is making a remarkable impact on the homeless community. Its people-centered solutions, which are implemented with deep understanding and compassion, help thousands of New Yorkers each year get off the streets and back on their feet.
“Housing is the first step to moving on from homelessness, but it is not the final step,” Lyon says. “When we provide someone with supportive housing, we give them back their dignity, safety, and confidence. From there, our WfO and other programs significantly improve people’s incomes and lives so they can leave homelessness behind for good.”
Marcus Delaney
