Nonprofit leaders, clinicians, and government officials gathered in New York City for Homeless Services United’s From Crisis to Connection policy forum to discuss improving care for people experiencing the most complex forms of homelessness.
Across New York City, a relatively small group of people experiencing homelessness carry the highest levels of need across multiple systems of care. They are disproportionately represented in shelters, hospitals, psychiatric emergency rooms, and the criminal legal system.
Addressing the needs of this population requires stronger coordination across housing, healthcare, behavioral health, and justice systems.
On February 27, Homeless Services United convened nonprofit leaders, clinicians, government partners, and advocates for From Crisis to Connection: Reimagining Care for the Hardest to Reach, a half-day policy forum focused on improving responses for New Yorkers experiencing the most complex forms of homelessness.
Held at the William and Anita Newman Conference Center at Baruch College, the forum brought together leaders across sectors to step back from day-to-day operations and examine how systems can work together more effectively to support individuals often identified as “high acuity.” The policy forum focused on improving coordination across healthcare, housing, and justice systems serving people experiencing homelessness in New York City.
Here are some highlights from our featured speakers:
Opening Remarks from NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
The forum opened with remarks from Dr. Helen Arteaga, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services for the City of New York, who oversees the city’s broad health and human services portfolio, including agencies central to the homelessness response system.
Her remarks emphasized the importance of cross-system collaboration and continued investment in strategies that support New Yorkers with the most complex needs.
Keynote: Dr. Van Yu on Behavioral Health and Homelessness
Dr. Van Yu, who is the Chief Medical Officer of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) and its healthcare affiliate Janian Medical Care, delivered the forum’s keynote address.
A psychiatrist who has spent more than two decades working with New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, Dr. Yu drew on his clinical experience to examine the psychological complexity of serving people with the highest levels of need. His remarks focused on the challenges faced by individuals living with severe untreated psychosis, chronic trauma, and behavioral health conditions that can make engagement with housing and care systems extraordinarily difficult.
Dr. Yu emphasized that many people described as “high acuity” experience symptoms and trauma that fundamentally shape how they interact with service providers, often creating barriers to trust, engagement, and stability. Addressing these challenges, he argued, requires strengthening both services and the pathways through which people access housing and care.
He also highlighted the importance of psychologically informed engagement strategies, stronger training and support for frontline staff, and continued investment in approaches such as trauma-informed care, person-centered services, and Housing First.
Despite the complexity of the work, Dr. Yu closed on a note of optimism, pointing to the dedication of the providers and advocates working across the city.
“The good news is that we all work with the best people. We can scale that.”
Panel Discussion: Coordinating Care Across Systems
The forum also featured a panel discussion moderated by Kristin Miller, Executive Director of Homeless Services United.
People experiencing complex behavioral health needs often move through multiple systems of care simultaneously, including healthcare, housing, and the criminal legal system, yet coordination across those systems remains limited.
The panel brought together leaders working in healthcare, housing, government, and peer-led services to discuss current barriers in the system and explore opportunities for stronger collaboration. Panelists included:
- Jessie Schwartz, BSN, MPH, RN – Director of Behavioral Health Complex Needs, NYC Health + Hospitals
- Deanna Logan – Director, Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice
- Katie Bower, LMSW – Chief Housing & Shelter Officer, Project Renewal
- Helen “Skip” Skipper – Founder and Executive Director, NYC Justice Peer Initiative
Together, the discussion reflected the range of expertise required to address the needs of New Yorkers navigating complex health, housing, and justice systems.
Artist Highlight: Jorge Pablo Hernandez
The forum materials also featured artwork by Jorge Pablo Hernandez, an artist with lived experience whose work was shared with HSU by Nazareth Housing. His artwork appeared on the cover of the notebooks distributed to attendees.
Hernandez incorporates elements of architecture, engineering, and chemistry in his work. Through linear and geometric forms, he expresses his vision of New York City and reflects on the structures that shape life across cities and communities.
The featured piece included the phrase:
“Que con obras de nuestras manos hagan prosperar nuestras vidas”
which translates to “That through the work of our hands we may prosper our lives.”
Hernandez’s work is also represented by Fountain House Gallery.
Continuing the Conversation
From Crisis to Connection reflects HSU’s ongoing commitment to creating space for serious policy conversations about the future of New York City’s homelessness response system.
By bringing together leaders across sectors, the forum created an opportunity to examine shared challenges, strengthen collaboration, and continue building momentum toward solutions that better serve New Yorkers with the highest needs.
View the full program from the forum:
