Categories: New York City
05.29.2025
On Wednesday May 28th, friends, staff and partners celebrated the re-opening of New Destiny’s Lily House a former shelter turned supportive housing for 30 domestic violence survivors and their families. Services at the newly rehabbed Lily House are provided by New Destiny’s Family Support Program funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) under the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
New Destiny CEO Nicole Branca emceed the event starting with the words, “Hope. Love. Support” which were the words used by the organization’s tenants asked what New Destiny meant to them. Calling Lily House’s rehab a labor of love, she recounted how the rehab was started at the peak of COVID when the exodus from government was at its peak and the supply chain was at its weakest. She also pointed out that the architect for both Lily 1 and Lily 2 had been EQ (then Cindy Harden) and that a number of people at the gathering had worked at Lily House when it was a Safe Horizon shelter for survivors.
Nicole then introduced New Destiny Board Treasurer Paula Sarro the organization’s longest-serving Board member, who recounted that the shelter had been in operation for 15 years before New Destiny started the arduous rehabilitation process. "I love seeing this building transform into a place where families can now take root and rebuild their lives."
OTDA Commissioner Barbara Guinn spoke next calling the day’s celebration an example of what’s happening across the state. She emphasized that the newly passed state budget included an additional $25 million for preservation under the agency’s Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) in addition to major rate increases for ESSHI and the first major infusion of funding in the agency’s NYSSHP program and thanked New Destiny for all their advocacy that had helped ensure those wins.
Kelli Owens, Executive Director of the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence pointed out that “we spend a lot of time thinking about orders of protection, but this is what works: to build housing that provides safety and support for survivors.”
Saloni Sethi, Commissioner of NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence pointed out the symbolism of turning a shelter that provided a temporary solution into a permanent solution for survivors. “It’s impossible to overstate how important housing is for survivors.”
Rima Rivera Deputy Commissioner of NYC’s Department of Social Services also focused on the importance of housing for survivors: “All I ask is keep building.”
Ehiabhi Uwa o Community Preservation Corporation called the project the very most impactful type of project for their impact lending.
Lisa Talma, Vice President of Philanthropic Initiatives at Deutsche Bank whose DB SHARE provided early funding for the Lily House rehab said, “one of the highlights of my job is overseeing the SHARE program. I also love to see the vision come to fruition!”
Lastly, a tenant who prefers to remain anonymous spoke “New Destiny has been a new beginning for me – not only do we have a decent place to live we can afford but a support network like no other. Believe me when I tell you no other place could be more perfect.”
Lily House features a back garden and community room.
Lily House’s rehabilitation was funded by OTDA’s HHAP, Community Preservation Corporation, Deutsche Bank and Apple Bank. The contractor was Michael Borruto General Contractor.