Shining a light on New York’s lack of shelter access for LGBTQIA+ survivors
Gay City News
Our PALS program now operates in 11 shelters, serving over 600 families and 800 pets. Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, PALS also opened NYC's first pet-inclusive homeless shelter. Discover more.
Intimate partner homicides surged by 29.2% between 2021 & 22 in New York City. This rise is a result of disinvestment in victim’s services and violence prevention. Explore solutions in our new A Blueprint for Change Report.
Join URI in making a lasting impact on the community by becoming a valued partner in our mission. Together, we can create meaningful change. Discover how you can get involved here. Discover how you can get involved here.
On any given day in New York City, victims of domestic violence face difficult challenges to find safe, secure housing. Urban Resource Institute (URI)’s housing options and programs assist individuals and families – including pets – by respecting their rights to make informed choices and reducing barriers to shelter and safety. Using innovation to solve complex issues, URI helps survivors heal and gain the resources they need to live healthy and independent lives.
40,000
people can be served by URI programs each year
88%
of URI revenue is spent on programs
3%
of US domestic violence shelters allow victims to live together with their pets
We provide quality, compassionate and innovative services to victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable populations so that they may lead the safest and fullest lives possible.
We offer innovative and client-centered programs for survivors of domestic violence.
Very few shelters accept domestic violence victims with pets. PALS removes barriers to entry by providing accommodations for co-living with pets of any species.
We offer safe and secure temporary housing and supportive services.
Our programs help survivors of domestic violence become self-sufficient and recover from economic abuse.
Victims of domestic violence with pets face difficult choices to save their lives. Do they flee with their children and leave their pet behind? Do they place their pet with a rescue organization and hope for the best? Do they stay and try to keep their family intact despite abuse? Or is there a better way?
Very few shelters accept domestic violence victims with pets. URI has designed some shelters just for this purpose. The PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program can mean the difference between staying in an abusive situation and having options that allow for a victim to gain independence and hope.
PALS removes barriers to entry by providing accommodations for co-living with pets of any species.
We offer pet-ready apartments and services throughout New York City
They allow families and pets to live and heal together in the same secure space.
Victims are provided a full range of complementary wellness services:
In Their Own Words
I felt like I was holding my breath, and when we got in the PALS program, I felt like I could exhale. It was a safe space where I could finally feel.
Hope
URI relies on financial support from donors like you to help families in crisis. Your donation ensures that individuals, families and their pets can escape abuse, safely heal and gain the resources needed to rebuild their lives.
Often leaving abusive situations with just the clothes on their back, domestic violence victims are starting over from square one and in need of everything from safe, secure housing to school clothes to specialized pet care from animal specialists.
$25
can provide emergency food for victims entering shelter.
$50
can provide educational materials for children in shelter.
$75
can provide behavior assessment and training for a dog suffering from trauma
$150
can provide access to therapeutic intervention for children who witness incidents of abuse.
$500
can provide startup items for domestic violence victims as they move to permanent housing.