According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s latest 2023 annual homelessness assessment report, a little over 103,000 New Yorkers experienced homelessness.

Through M&T Bank’s Charitable Foundation, they are trying to help organizations that are combatting homelessness. 

“It’s rare that someone gets to have this idea in the back of their heads that knowing what’s needed is affordable housing for those facing homelessness, have that idea then actually see it come to fruition with the help of hundreds and thousands of different people, it’s just really special for me to get to be a part of that, to get to lead that,” said Andrew Lunetta, the executive director for A Tiny Home for Good.

The organization builds and manages housing for people facing homelessness. He says having an extra $30,000 in their pockets is a big deal for them.

“That’s going toward support some of our tenant initiatives, specifically around our maintenance staff," Lunetta said. "We own a bunch of properties in the city and they have to be taken care of."

“You’re looking at my beautiful, lovely, spacious, backyard,” Reginald Manning, a tenant for A Tiny Home for Good.

Manning recently moved into his new home with his 11-year-old son. In his 53 years of life, he says he’s overcome a lot.

“You know, I was still out on the streets, using drugs, running till the sun come up, then the next day do it all over again," Manning said. "That was my daily routine."

To finally be able to provide a stable life for his son means the world to him and it’s all thanks to A Tiny Home for Good and M&T Bank supporting nonprofits to help people like Manning overcome homelessness.

"It sends a strong message I think that not-for-profits like a Tiny Home for Good can still make a difference,” said Steve Gorczyenski, the regional president for M&T Bank.

Thirty years ago, the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation was started to partner with communities in order to impact equitable change. Gorczyenski says to celebrate their 30th anniversary, they are giving back.

“We are recognizing 30 organizations with individual grants of $30,000 each with the focus on homelessness, housing insecurity, really trying to make our communities better with an affordable housing point of view,” Gorczyenski said.

“I am going to do everything I can as the director to make [ending homelessness] happen,” said Lunetta.

A Tiny Home for Good saves Onondaga County close to $118,000 per tenant each year based on decreased use of social and emergency services.