Our sector—and our city—are grieving. Fred didn’t just advocate for solutions; he built them, leading Urban Pathways to deliver hundreds of units of supportive housing across New York City and shaping the broader field through decades of leadership, from HELP USA to Homeless Services United (HSU).
He pushed the field forward—not just on housing, but on equity—championing efforts like #JustPay to ensure the human services workforce is valued and sustained. The last time our CEO, Gregory J Morris, MPA, saw Fred, he spoke about his transition and told Greg he’d always be around. Greg believed him then, and believes it now. His work, his clarity, and his conviction will continue to guide us… just from way, way up above.
“I think the biggest challenge is getting people to understand that we know what works. That we’ve known for a number of years that there are real solutions that are cost-effective. That we can move someone who has lived on the streets for a significant number of years into an apartment and eventually into a level of self-functioning that maximizes their potential. That is doable. I think it’s getting that message out that we don’t have to live in an environment—in a society—where people are relegated to living on our streets. If you invest the resources, we can really turn it around.” — Frederick “Fred” Shack, Urban Pathways
Must watch: Fred Shack and Gary P. Jenkins of Urban Pathways joined “In Focus” on NY1 on July 13, 2025.