Serving all of Western New York. The Homeless Alliance of Western New York (HAWNY) was established in 1992 when the Erie County Legislature formed the Commission on Homelessness to coordinate local efforts to reduce homelessness. In 2005, HAWNY became an independent nonprofit and was designated the lead agency for the Erie County Continuum of Care (CoC). Over time, our reach expanded through regional collaboration. By 2015, we had merged with Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties—creating what is now known as the NY-508 CoC. Today, HAWNY proudly serves as both the CoC Lead and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) administrator. And as of 2025, HAWNY has officially been designated as the Coordinated Entry (CE) Lead for the full NY-508 region. This solidifies our role in overseeing the critical system that connects individuals and families to the housing support they need across all five counties. Additionally, we are implementing our Social Care Team this year. As we expand into the area of direct service, this team will be critical in ensuring everyone in the community has access to Coordinated Entry and 1115 Medicaid Waiver services. We remain committed to leveraging data, collaboration, and best practices to prevent and end homelessness across our region. 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. Core Values
- Excellence – We deliver high-quality support and are dedicated to continuous improvement.
- Collaboration – We believe collective efforts and expertise lead to lasting impact.
- Transparency – We communicate openly and operate with accountability- Integrity – We act with honesty, fairness, and consistency.
- Respect – We value every individual and promote dignity in all our interactions.
