New York, NY (January 9, 2026) — Urban Resource Institute (URI), the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services, expressed serious concern today over the federal pause affecting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funding. URI also commended New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of states for seeking an injunction to prevent devastating harm to families, children, and survivors.

These federally approved funds support essential services for families and communities facing systemic barriers across New York State, including emergency housing, domestic violence shelters, child welfare supports, and cash assistance that helps families remain safe and stable. If the funding pause is not enjoined, the consequences for our agency, our staff, and the people we serve would be catastrophic.

 

“The individuals and families who turn to URI do so at moments of crisis, seeking safety, stability, and dignity,” said Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute. “Interruptions to legally appropriated funding place those families at immediate risk of returning back into the violent situations they fled or homelessness. This pause undermines the ability of providers to deliver life-saving services in real time.”

URI shelters and programs serve more than 40,000 New Yorkers each year, including thousands of survivors of domestic violence and families experiencing homelessness. Many rely on TANF- and SSBG-supported services to secure safe housing, care for their children, and escape violent or unsafe situations.

 

“Every day this pause remains in effect increases the risk that survivors will be forced to choose between staying in harm’s way or facing homelessness,” said Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs at URI. “We applaud Attorney General James and the other states taking action to prevent this outcome and urge swift resolution to ensure continuity of critical services.”

 

URI supports accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. At the same time, the organization emphasizes that abrupt disruptions to programs approved by Congress cause immediate and irreversible harm to families who depend on them.

Urban Resource Institute calls for the prompt resolution of this situation so that safety, stability, and essential supports for children and families are not put on pause.

 

For press inquiries, contact media@urinyc.org.

 

About Urban Resource Institute:
Urban Resource Institute (URI) is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services and a leading provider of housing and support for families facing homelessness. Across 24 shelters in New York City, URI provides safe housing for nearly 4,000 individuals and more than 1,000 pets every night, ensuring families can stay together as they seek safety and stability. Each year, URI serves more than 40,000 New Yorkers through a comprehensive, trauma-informed continuum of care that includes emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, legal advocacy, economic empowerment, prevention, and victim support services. URI’s work centers dignity, safety, and long-term stability, supporting individuals and families as they move from trauma toward healing and independence. For more information, visit www.urinyc.org or follow URI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

 

For immediate assistance, please call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.