The Borden Report 2026 examines the Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence in Long Island City, Queens, and its role in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

The report reviews Borden Avenue's operations, GPD capacity and services, public funding, housing outcomes, emergency responses and arrest records, Veteran safety, treatment models, and governmental oversight. It also examines the responsibilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, New York City Department of Homeless Services, Institute for Community Living, and other agencies and organizations involved in serving homeless Veterans.


Based on government records, FOIA and FOIL responses, financial information, audits, published research, program materials, and firsthand Veteran accounts, the report identifies areas requiring additional oversight and recommends further review of GPD funding, program operations, public safety, serious-incident reporting, and Veteran housing outcomes.

The Borden Report 2026 is organized into 21 Parts examining Veterans experiencing homelessness, the VA Grant and Per Diem Program, Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence, public safety, funding, program operations, and governmental oversight. The report concludes with findings and recommendations, followed by a consolidated review of the sources, references, and methodology supporting the analysis.



The Table of Contents below provides direct access to each Part of the report.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

Part 1 — Introduction

Part 2 — Veterans: Service, Eligibility, and the Transition From Homelessness

Part 3 — Women Veterans and Veteran Families: Equal Access to Transitional Housing

Part 4 — Vulnerable Veterans: Protection, Individualized Services, and Independence

Part 5 — The Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program

Part 6 — Protection Against Veteran Exploitation

Part 7 — Military Background, Camaraderie, and Veteran Participation in Transition

Part 8 — Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence: Program Operations and Conditions

Part 9 — Public Safety, Emergency Response, Arrest Data, and Community Financial Impact

Part 10 — Institute for Community Living

Part 11 — Modified Therapeutic Community Model and the GPD Transitional Model

Part 12 — New York City Department of Homeless Services: Contracting, Compliance, and Oversight

Part 13 — New York City Department of Veterans’ Services: Advocacy and Responsibility to Homeless Veterans

Part 14 — New York City Veterans Task Force: Coordination, Accountability, and Lived Experience

Part 15 — New York City Veterans Advisory Board: Representation, Oversight, and Veteran Voice

Part 16 — New York City Council Committee on Veterans: Legislative Oversight and Accountability

Part 17 — Government Oversight, Transparency, and Accountability

Part 18 — Federal Litigation: Pena v. New York City Department of Homeless Services, et al.

Part 19 — Findings and Recommendations

Part 20 — Sources, References, and Methodology

Part 21 — Photos and Articles

Conclusion