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What’s up with that?
United Homeless Organization
Q What’s with those sleazy-looking people who sit at tables with empty water jugs, barking, “Help feed the homeless”? I’m told they make a neat living from guilt-inspired contributions. Are they legit?—Stu Gottfried, Manhattan
A They’re representatives of the United Homeless Organization, a Bronx-based public charity formed in 1987 by the then-homeless Stephen Riley. UHO’s 2006 tax filings reported revenues of $84,561, with $33,412 spent on support stipends and $46,215 on management expenses. “The program is an organized form of fund-raising that allows the homeless or formerly homeless to legally request donations under a recognizable name,” says UHO consultant Todd Averyheart. Dozens of tables throughout the city see two shifts of workers each day. For every person who mans a table, UHO gets a $15 cut; the rest goes to the worker. Averyheart says UHO’s take goes back into the program for promotional literature, tables and supplies, but would not elaborate; TONY’s repeated follow-up calls were never returned. Katie Martin, New York Philanthropic Advisory Service program manager for the Better Business Bureau, says UHO “refuses to send us information”; the last report the BBB filed on the organization was in 2003, and UHO failed to pass its Standards for Charity Accountability. “UHO doesn’t have a lot of information on where their money is going,” says Martin. “Personally and professionally, I would advise people to be cautious if donating to them.” If you want to help New York’s needy but find this whole thing fishy (it doesn’t help that UHO’s website is nonfunctional), consider donating to more-established organizations like Help USA ( helpusa.org) and Project Renewal ( projectrenewal.com ).
Time Out New York / Issue 665 : Jun 25–Jul 3, 2008
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Karen, Please enlighten us. How exactly does your organization help the homeless? Provide facts like numbers, organizations, dates, etc. Also, please explain why you have zero information at any of the tables to 'help the homeless'. Your prompt response is appreciated.
UHO is a complete scam. They fail to provide documents year after year, and are not even considered a charity by NYS. Gothamist covered this scam many times before... DO NOT GIVE UHO MONEY. Instead chose a reputable charity to help the homeless. http://gothamist.com/2009/10/28/video_united_homeless_organization.php
To NSJ: Arnold Diaz(Fox Five) is the total scam. The United Homeless Organization did a interview with him a couple years ago and he did not report what was said. He left out information and spliced information reported so it would seem questionable. Now I wonder about other people this jerk has unfairly reported about on Shame on You.
To all those who posted negative and misinformed comments about the united homeless organization. Spend the night in a homeless shelter and you will change your mind quick about the homeless service system that claims helps people.
So much more relevant now that I just saw Fox 5 Shame Shame Shame session on the UHO on October 27, 2009. These jerks are on every corner of Union Square by my work and I always thought they seemed shady. What a freaking racket. Hope God forgives you Riley.
total scam. do some research. they have 1 employee. stephen riley up in the Bronx. so all those support stipends and management expenses go right into his pocket. oh, and this 'yani' who posted a comment below goes around posting the same comment on every board about the UHO. scammers!
Nice non-working website. Really adds credibility to the whole enterprise. I walk by 2 of these tables every day at Times Sq on the way to work. I've never dropped a cent in them. Why? Because they look like scammers.
The United Homeless Organization is a great organization. They help the type of homeless people nobody will touch. www.united-homeless.org
I cannot believe these scammers are still being allowed to operate. They are now on every freaking corner of Manhattan.
This organization is as close to being a scam, while technically skirting the law. I've known two people who "worked" for them -- their words-- and pretended to be homeless. Most of money collected goes to the "homeless person" soliciting, and only small amout goes to organization. According to the IRS, the majority of the money that flows to the organization, goes to the owners expenses and management fee. They refuse to list any programs they fund.
i grew up in Manhattan and always help the U.H.O. when i was 16 there was a table next to my father store and i ask the homeless person how do i help two drunk drug addicted homeless people next to my apt. he ask where are they. U.H.O pick them up and got the to work at a table, those two drunks got a 2nd chance, they stop drinking and woke up everyday to work, got their confidence back. U.H.O are homeless people who help other homeless people, who looks at the tax report from homeless cash