Skip to content

Mission, Vision, and Values

 

 

Mission

To unify and lead providers to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness by sharing expertise, maximizing resources, and advocating for change.

Vision

A community committed to ending homelessness.

What do we do?

Sharing Expertise

Provide best practices, training, knowledge, and skills to strengthen organizations and the network.

Maximizing Resources

Secure, manage, and leverage resources for a more efficient and effective continuum of care.

Advocating for Change

Champion policies and programs that enhance the provider network and the conditions of those experiencing homelessness.

Values

Excellence
We consistently deliver the highest-quality support to providers while improving our
ability to best serve the community and its efforts to address homelessness.

Collaboration
We work together across teams, organizations, and communities, recognizing that
collective effort and expertise are essential to achieving our shared mission and creating lasting
impact.

Transparency
We cultivate trust and accountability by communicating openly and ensuring that our
decisions and actions are clear, accessible, and understandable to all stakeholders.

Integrity
We are committed to doing what is right by acting with honesty, fairness, and
accountability in all our decisions and actions.

Respect
We foster a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone is valued, heard, and treated with dignity.

History

Originally known as the Erie County Commission on Homelessness, The Homeless Alliance of Western New York (HAWNY) was created in 1992 by the Erie County Legislature to find ways to reduce homelessness in Erie County. By 2000, the Commission had departed from its government roots and incorporated as The Homeless Alliance of Western New York. In 2005, HAWNY became the lead agency for the Erie County Continuum of Care (CoC). In 2013 and 2015, the Erie County CoC merged with the CoCs in Niagara and Orleans counties and Genesee and Wyoming counties, respectively. Known as the NY-508, HAWNY is the Continuum of Care Lead for Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties. We are also the lead for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for these communities.