From A Bench To His Own Home: 1 Man's Journey Out Of Homelessness

FLATIRON DISTRICT, NY — Robert Offley is known as the mayor of his Bronx building, where a common sight is Offley playing bowling video games or lending neighbors DVDs from a sizable collection that's stacked on his window sill.

But just five years ago, his home was on the Flatiron District's streets.

"I was in the 23rd Street train station sleeping on a cardboard box. I was sleeping in the park on a bench in Madison Square Park," Offley told Patch.

While living outside, Offley, 64, was contacted by an outreach worker with the non-profit group Urban Pathways that helps homeless adults find permanent, supportive housing. The organization works with the 23rd Street/Flatiron Partnership Business Improvement District, focusing on homeless adults living in the area around Madison Square Park.

When Offley first heard from Urban Pathways, he was hesitant at first.

Though he had been in and out of shelters since he was about 35-years-old, he had largely given up on them after he said he was robbed at one. Substance abuse and mental health struggles also held him back.

But with Urban Pathways, it was different.

"They came and just spoke to me like I was a human being," Offley said. "They treated me like family. They gave me clothes when I needed clothes."

Urban Pathways and the BID helped place Offley in various temporary housing facilities called "safe havens" owned by the non-profit. About two-and-a-half years ago, he moved into a new apartment building on 162nd Street in the Bronx through Section 8 subsidies, where he has access to myriad social services.

"They've been treating me like a son," he said of the group.

Now, his studio apartment on 162nd Street has a backyard for barbecues and grilling out. He's just seven blocks from his daughter and soon-to-be-born grandchild. Plus, he's just a block from the Metro North and close to his mother. His favorite meal to cook at home is mac-and-cheese with ground beef.

When Urban Pathways' clients are placed in permanent housing, "they're so happy to have something that's theirs," said Lisa Lombardi, the organization's deputy executive director.

"It's their building, it's their room, it's their apartment," Lombardi said. "It's really about independence. ... [Urban Pathways is] trying to help that person get to the next level."

Working with the BID for more than a decade has been a critical strength for the outreach program, Lombardi said.

Though placements are difficult, finding people permanent housing is the "gold standard," said the BID's executive director James Mettham.

Between July 2018 and the end of April this year, about two dozen people were found places in a shelter, housing or a treatment program, according to the BID. The non-profit has reached out to about 140 clients more than 1,000 times in that time period in the Flatiron District alone.

"We want everyone to have the best shot going forward," Mettham said. "For most people, having a roof over their head and a warm meal is a major cornerstone for taking further steps. To us, it's very important that it’s not just having somebody leave the district that may be sitting on a corner or under a scaffold."

This article has been updated with information regarding the non-profit’s outreach.