The organization runs a chain of
thrift shops, a bookstore café, and a
dispensary as social enterprises to support their work and lower dependence on
grants and
donations. They also provide
health care, advocacy, job training,
reentry services, harm reduction services including syringe exchange services, medication for opioid use disorder, mental health counseling, adult day health care, and
legal aid support. The group has satellite offices in
Albany, New York,
Brooklyn, New York,
Haiti,
Puerto Rico, and
New Orleans.
Bookstore Cafe & bar Founded in 1994 and located in
Soho on Crosby Street, the bookstore cafe is a successful
entrepreneurial business raising money to support the Housing Works mission. Run primarily by a team of specially-trained volunteers, the bookstore is funded entirely by donations, and resells both in the retail space and online. Free and ticketed events occur throughout the week, and the space is available for privately-rented parties, lectures, and is a popular wedding destination. Events range from story time and sing-a-long for babies, a middle-grade book group, storytelling, trivia, screenings, activist talks, comedy, music, and performance (artists include
Iron and Wine,
Bjork,
The Black Keys,
Conor Oberst, and others), and many literary events celebrating established writers and new talent. The venue hosts twice-monthly editions of
The Moth StorySLAM. The Cafe and bar sells food, hot and cold drinks, and is licensed to sell alcohol. The space has been featured in numerous movies and TV episodes, most recently
Law & Order SVU.
Thrift shops Housing Works is well-known to New Yorkers for its chain of upscale thrift shops. The
New York Times has mentioned the shops in its
neighborhood reviews. Housing Works Thrift Shop is featured in
Seinfeld episode 173, "The Bookstore". George is forced to buy a book from Brentano's Bookstore because he took it in the restroom. He then tries to donate it to Housing Works Thrift Shop and claim a $200 tax write off but the clerk at the thrift shop used to work for
Brentano's so she recognizes the book has been flagged that it has been in the restroom and runs him out of the store.
Cannabis dispensary Housing Works opened New York City and New York State's first legal recreational dispensary on December 29, 2022, with the proceeds funding Housing Works' larger mission combating homelessness and AIDS. Commenters and lawmakers have questioned the propriety of a homelessness and anti-AIDS non-profit funding its activities through drug sales. Housing Works also became the first recreational dispensary in New York to offer home delivery of cannabis products.
Haiti earthquake relief In early 2010, Housing Works became involved in providing assistance to victims of
Haiti's earthquake, especially those living with
HIV/AIDS, by re-building three health clinics. Housing Works CEO Charles King auctioned off his trademark pony tail, and one bidder was Evangelical preacher
Rick Warren. In 1994, Housing Works enlisted architect
Alan Wanzenberg to design a 36-unit, five story residence for homeless people with AIDS or HIV. In October 2019, Housing Works organized a mass demonstration outside of the Supreme Court in support of LGBTQ civil rights, resulting in over 100 activists being arrested. ==Controversies==