Free Head Start Preschool for Eligible Westchester County Families

Open Door Care Network (ODCN) and Family Services of Westchester (FSW) offer free, high-quality Head Start preschool programming for eligible Westchester County families with children ages 3–5.

Head Start provides engaging indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, caring and well-trained staff, up-to-date educational materials, and support tailored to each child’s individual needs. Families can also access resources and workshops, as well as health, dental, and wellness screenings and services.

Head Start locations are available in Mount Kisco, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Port Chester, White Plains, and Yonkers.

FY2026 Continuum of Care NOFO vacated by Federal District Court

On Friday August 7, The District Court of Rhode Island issued summary judgment in the lawsuit filed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness against HUD regarding the FY 2026 Continuum of Care NOFO. The FY2026 NOFO and its deadlines are vacated in full.

HUD has appealed this decision on Thursday August 13, and asked for an emergency stay of the ruling as the appeal proceeds. The district court has denied the motion to stay.

This page will be updated as new developments occur.

Yonkers Community Action Program: Rental Assistance

Rental & Utility Assistance Available

Yonkers Community Action Program has recently received funding to provide rental and utility assistance to up to 20 households throughout the county.

Eligible households may receive:

• Up to $2,000 in rental assistance

• Up to $500 in utility assistance

• Minimal eligibility requirements

Required Documentation:

• Proof of address

• Proof of income

• Valid photo ID

• Rent arrears letter or rental ledger

Please see below flyer for additional program details.

Workshop Alert: Financial Workshop

Westchester Jewish Community Services and Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center Presents: Financial Workshop.

Join us for an interactive financial empowerment workshop designed to help participants gain clarity, confidence, and control over their money. This session is practical, judgement-free, and accessible for all experience levels.

Free Summer Meals For Kids

School’s out but summer meals are in!  

Any child or teen 18 and under in New York can get free, healthy breakfast and lunch on weekdays through the Summer Meals NY program.

No registration, ID, or application is required.

Program runs from June 29 through September 4. Breakfast is served from 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM and lunch from 11:00 AM  to 1:15PM

Click below for Westchester Locations (Pg. 37-38)

Q&A for 2026 CoC local RFI available for download

Compiled Questions and Answers emailed concerning the 2026 RFI may be downloaded using this link.

Request For Information (RFI) from eligible partner agencies for the FY2026 CoC Program Competition

The Westchester County CoC is soliciting Requests For Information (RFIs) from eligible partner agencies to be included as subrecipient providers in the application to HUD for

·         Transitional Housing (TH) projects, which may be awarded by HUD through the FY2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program competition. Proposals due July 15.

·         Supportive Services Only (SSO) projects, which may be awarded by HUD through the FY2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program competition. Proposals due July 15.

A portion of both TH and SSO project funding will be used for proposals for projects dedicated to serve Survivors of Domestic Violence (DV).

RFI documents are available here:

https://www.wcochomeless.org/fy2026applicationsearly#localRFIdocs

HUD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY2026 released June 1, 2026

Use this link to download the new CoC NOFO from grants.gov:

https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/18c6dc79-e5dd-42e9-aca5-b35c5d26eded/attachments/0ead4b33-e9a1-4934-92b3-65ed41847905/Foa_Content_of_CPD-2600-DC-0025.pdf

The Westchester CoC FY2026 CoC Application page is here:

https://www.wcochomeless.org/fy2026applications

Westchester County CoC Presents: Sustaining the Work: Understanding Vicarious Trauma

Please join us for a conversation focused on understanding vicarious trauma, preventing burnout, and strengthening staff wellness and resilience while continuing to compassionately support individuals experiencing homelessness.

Presented by: Dr. Andrew Bell, Ph.D.

This training will focus on:

• Understanding the impacts of vicarious trauma

• Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue

• Practicing sustainable self-care and reflection

• Strengthening equitable and trauma-informed service delivery

  Date & Time: June 16th 2026 from 2:00pm-4:00pm

  Location: Webex

Human Development Services of Westchester: Neighborhood Preservation Company

Tenants with rent arrears may be eligible to receive funding assistance with:

• Rental arrears assistance

• Eviction Prevention Legal Assistance

• Eviction Prevention Advocacy Services

• Mortgage foreclosure counseling

• Financial counseling

• Housing Court Appearance Assistance

Westchester County Department of Planning: Homeless Prevention Program

The Westchester County Department of Planning has announced that its Homelessness Prevention Program is now available through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The Department is also partnering with local nonprofit organizations that have been awarded funding to deliver essential services and support to individuals and families in need across the community.

Westchester Residential Opportunities: Financial Literacy Seminar

Are you ready to take control of your financial future and achieve the success you've always dreamed of?

Join us for an empowering Financial Literacy Seminar!

Date: April 6th 2026

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Zoom

NYS OMH Community Engagement Sessions - Hudson River Region (Yonkers)

NYS OMH will be hosting in-person Community Engagement Sessions in the Hudson River Region next month, led by their Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services, Field Office, and Office of Planning. These sessions are part of OMH’s continued commitment to listening directly to communities and building upon feedback gathered in prior statewide engagement efforts.

There is a particular focus on hearing from:
- Individuals who are currently receiving or have previously received mental health services 
- Individuals who have sought services but were unable to access them for any reason 


These sessions provide a meaningful opportunity for providers, advocates, individuals with lived experience, and family members to share perspectives that can help inform future planning, policy, and service delivery across our region.

When: April 21st from 6:00pm-8:00pm and April 22nd 10:00am-12:00pm

Where: 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710

Westchester County Dept. of Veteran Affairs: CHALENG Survey

The Department of Veterans Affairs continues to prioritize housing for veterans experiencing homelessness in order to best serve the nation’s veterans. This work would not be possible without the ongoing support of community partners. In the Hudson Valley, significant progress has been made in serving those who served, a success attributed to the strong collaborative relationships among local community agencies.

Each year, community partners are asked to complete the CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment and Local Education and Networking Group) Survey.

Recognizing that time is valuable, partners may question whether this is “just another” survey. However, the CHALENG Survey plays a critical role. The information collected is compiled and presented to Congress to support funding for essential programs. This survey has directly contributed to initiatives such as:

• HUD-VASH

• Dental Initiative

• Legal Partnerships

Input from community partners is vital. Feedback helps shape how services are delivered and ensures that veterans in each community receive the support they need.

Westchester County Diverse Abilities Job and Resource Fair

• Connect with local employers

• Learn about exciting internship, part-time and full-time opportunities for individuals of all experience levels

• Participate in resume workshops

When: April 15th 2026 at 10:00am-1:00pm

Where: Westchester County Center

Job Alert: Social Worker at Westchester Medical Center

Westchester Medical Center (WMC) is hiring a Social Worker.

This position is grant-funded.

Mary the Queen Senior Housing

New affordable housing is available for seniors aged 55+! Applications for the lottery at Mary the Queen Senior Housing , located at 35 Vark Street in Yonkers, are due February 26, 2026. Please refer your community and local stakeholders to this link to apply and learn more at https://shorturl.at/brhBo.

Mary the Queen, financed by New York States Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR), will have 12 units available for seniors aged 55+ rents starting from $1,430 (see attached for more information). 3 units will be adapted for those with mobility impairments and 1 will be adapted for those with hearing and vision impairments.

GPD FY 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO)

The GPD National Program Office is pleased to announce the opening of our fiscal year (FY 2027) notices of funding opportunity (NOFO). For the coming FY there are three opportunities for supportive housing for Veterans in your community: Per Diem Only (PDO) and Service Center (SC); Special Need (SN); and Transition in Place (TIP).

PDO and SC:

• The largest of GPD’s grant models, this application opportunity is open to all eligible providers, including providers who are not currently a GPD grantee.

• Current GPD PDO providers must reapply to be considered for continued funding.

• DUE DATE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026, no later than 4pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).

• Full details on how to apply: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp

SN:

• This is a renewal opportunity only: Only the 13 current SN grantees may apply.

• DUE DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026, no later than 4pm EST

• Full details on how to apply: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp

TIP:

• This TIP application opportunity is open to all eligible providers, including providers who are not currently a GPD grantee.

• Current GPD TIP providers must reapply to be considered for continued funding.

• DUE DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026, no later than 4pm EST.

• Full details on how to apply: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/GPD.asp

Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness Presents: At the Intersection: Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence Experiencing Homelessness

Calling all caseworkers, housing navigators, shelter staff and service providers!

Please join us for the following training!

FACILITATED BY KYMBERLY MCNAIR, MDIV, STM, MY SISTERS PLACE:

THIS SESSION WILL EXPLORE THE INTERSECTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS, COMMON BARRIERS SURVIVORS FACE, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR SURVIVOR-CENTERED, HARM-REDUCING CASEWORK.

THIS TRAINING IS IDEAL FOR CASEWORKERS, HOUSING NAVIGATORS, SHELTER STAFF, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SEEKING TO ENHANCE THEIR CAPACITY TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS WITH COMPASSION, CULTURAL HUMILITY, AND EFFECTIVENESS.

Where: 112 E post Road, White Plains, NY 10601 Room 217

Date & Time: February 5th 2026 at 10:00am-12:00pm

Mode of training: IN PERSON ONLY.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families

Know a Veteran in a housing crisis? Contact SSVF immediately!

For telephone referrals, please contact: 914-418-9855

For email referrals and intake documentation, please email: ssvfreferral@westcop.org