Community Health Program (CHP)
Program Overview
HSNY’s Community Health Program supports the organization’s broader mission to end homelessness by addressing social determinants of health and food insecurities that place individuals and families at risk of housing instability. By pairing food services with nutrition and health education, case-management, and linkages to essential resources, this program helps stabilize individuals and communities while supporting their journey to permanent housing.
As the cost of living continues to rise, food insecurity has become a growing challenge for New Yorkers across the city. Nearly one in nine people statewide struggle to reliably access nutritious food, forcing families to make difficult choices that can undermine health and financial stability. HSNY’s Community Health Programs directly responds to these pressures by ensuring community members have the resources they need to regain stability and maintain it over time.
Who We Serve
HSNY’s Community Health Program serves individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, health-related barriers, or housing instability. Eligible clients include people living with HIV, residents at risk of homelessness, and community members living in HSNY’s service areas.
Programs are designed to support both HSNY clients and eligible community residents, with a focus on improving health outcomes, reducing food insecurity, and strengthening overall stability.
Services & Support
HSNY delivers community-based health and nutrition services through several targeted programs:
Food and Nutrition Services Program (FNS, Ryan White Part A)
This program empowers individuals living with HIV to build lifelong healthy eating habits and strengthen their overall well-being and independence. FNS offers client-choice pantry services, nutrition education and counseling, cooking classes, practical resources, and individualized referrals.
Eligible individuals are HIV-positive, New York City residents, and have an income under 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
Real Connections Program (RC, Ryan White Part B)
This program addresses social determinants of health by supporting individuals living with HIV through non-medical case management, client-choice pantry services, food vouchers, health classes, and support groups.
Eligible individuals are HIV-positive, New York City residents, and have an income under 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
CHP Community Pantry
The CHP Community Pantry addresses food insecurity through client-choice, supermarket-style pantry services. Additional support includes referrals to community resources. Services are available by appointment through the Plentiful app to NYC residents.
Emergency Pantry Services for HSNY Shelters
At HSNY, Community Health Programs works to support families living in HSNY shelters by supplying culturally diverse pantry kits to address urgent food needs. Shelter staff distribute pantry bags stocked with ingredients for balanced meals, recipes, and nutrition education. This service is available exclusively to HSNY shelter residents.
Impact & Benefits
Participation in HSNY’s Community Health Program helps individuals and families improve health outcomes, reduce food insecurity, and build greater stability. Access to nutritious food and health education supports their physical and mental well-being while easing financial strain.
By addressing food access and the social determinants of health, CHP helps prevent homelessness, supports recovery and independence, and strengthens overall community resilience. These services play a critical role in helping clients remain stable and engaged as they work toward long-term housing security.
Referrals & Eligibility
Eligibility for Community Health Program services varies by program and funding source. Referrals may come through healthcare providers, community partners, HSNY programs, or self-referrals, where applicable. Specific eligibility requirements are outlined within each program.