Borden Avenue Veterans' Shelter (NYC) Report 2026
Part 21: Articles / Borden Avenue Veterans' Residence
Articles and Documents — Borden Avenue / Pena
The articles and news stories here are related to Department of Homeless Services and Veterans Affairs.
Pena, Timothy. "A Call to Action for Veterans: Before It’s Too Late — NYC Council Committee on Veterans Must Confront the Veteran Transitional Program Housing Crisis." Veterans Justice Project, November 27, 2025. Calls for immediate City Council oversight hearings, whistleblower protections and another veteran-exclusive GPD facility.
Pena, Timothy. “A Bittersweet Ending: An Opportunity to Build Something Better for Veterans Is Squandered.” Veterans Justice Project, September 14, 2026. Examines the termination of the Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program at Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, the loss of federally supported transitional housing, and concerns about shelter conditions, financial accountability, and the future of homeless veterans' services in New York City.
Pena, Timothy. “The Hidden Price of Crisis: Emergency Calls at Veterans Shelter May Have Cost Taxpayers More Than $90 Million.” Veterans Justice Project, July 12, 2026. Analyzes approximately 1,365 emergency calls at Borden Avenue Veterans Residence between August 2024 and December 2025, estimates their financial impact on taxpayers, and examines public safety, nonprofit expenditures, veterans' well-being, and the need for independent oversight.
Pena, Timothy. “Report: Questions Raised Over New York City's Only Federally Funded Veterans Transitional Housing Program." Veterans Justice Project, July 4, 2026. Examines approximately 1,365 emergency calls, more than 70 arrests, shelter expenditures exceeding $9.2 million, and concerns about financial accountability, public safety, VA program compliance, and government oversight at Borden Avenue Veterans Residence.
Pena, Timothy. "1,365 Emergency Calls and More Than 70 Arrests Renew Questions About Safety at Borden Avenue Veterans' Residence" Veterans Justice Project, June 17, 2026. Examines emergency calls and police responses at Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, documenting concerns about violence, overdoses, resident safety, and the financial burden on New York City emergency services, while raising questions about shelter management and government oversight.
Pena, Timothy. “Unseen Veterans.” Veterans Justice Project, May 24, 2026. Article addressing the experiences of vulnerable and overlooked homeless veterans, highlighting concerns about access to appropriate housing, supportive services, dignity, and government accountability.
Pena, Timothy. "A Tale of Two Transitional Programs: MANA House (Phoenix) and Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence (NYC)." Veterans Justice Project/The Forgotten Veteran, December 16, 2024. Comparative examination of the two GPD programs, including program purpose, food, facilities, housing resources, security, community engagement, federal funding and enrollment.
Pena, Timothy. “Be The Story: Just Give Me the Damn Fish.” January 12, 2023. Documents additional concerns involving housing delays, access to HUD-VASH and VA resources, conditions at Borden Avenue and Pena's advocacy while transitioning from homelessness.
Pena, Timothy. “Homeless to Homeness: 154 Days.” January 9, 2023. Discusses the purpose of the VA Grant and Per Diem program and contrasts that transitional mission with Pena's reported experiences involving safety, nutrition, sleep and access to resources at Borden Avenue. bts_20230109-154days
Pena, Timothy. “Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residency — Summary of Experience at Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence Reveals Abusive Environment.” January 6, 2023. First-person account documenting reported violence, emergency responses, inadequate food, overdose deaths, safety concerns and proposed reforms for transitioning veterans at Borden Avenue. bts_20230106bordensummary
Pena, Timothy. “Veterans Affairs Transitional Program Causing Homeless Veterans to Suffer in Violent DHS Shelters." November 27, 2022. Firsthand article written while Pena was residing at Borden Avenue Veterans Residence; documents reported emergency responses, housing delays, food and living conditions, and the experiences of veterans residing at the facility.
Pena, Timothy. “Veterans in Transition Need Access to Resources.” November 24, 2022. Documents concerns regarding food, donated clothing, laundry, employment preparation and other resources available to transitioning veterans. bts_20221124transitioning