NYC Homeless Family Finds Home at Greenpoint Landing

In 2000, Robert Pamphille worked as a manager in the letter of credit department at J.P. Morgan Chase. When his position moved to Florida, he accepted a severance package and unofficially retired.

At first, he was excited about free time, but retirement quickly became difficult.

“After that, I just didn’t have a job. Given my age, I was discouraged because I couldn’t get back into what I used to do. I was doing nothing and there was no money coming in,” Pamphille told CNBC Make It.

Life Becomes Difficult: Homelessness in 2017

By 2017, after more than a decade of odd jobs, Pamphille, his wife, and their 25-year-old son were homeless and living in a shelter.

“Each shelter has its own experience, and even though I had to endure all kinds of unpleasant things, it balances out because dealing in the streets with those elements is not a good thing,” he said.

Shelter life came with challenges. Pamphille’s wife uses a wheelchair, and his son struggles with mental health issues.

Life in shelters required following strict rules, like curfews and no cooking in rooms.

“You have to walk on eggshells, but at the same time, you have to be grateful that you have a bed to sleep on,” he said. “You have to really find something to do and keep your mind occupied.”

NYC Homeless Family

The family moved from shelter to shelter for seven years. Eventually, a shelter director connected them with Keith Martin, a clinical coordinator at Breaking Ground.

Through New York City’s housing programs, they were matched with a two-bedroom apartment at Greenpoint Landing in Brooklyn.

Greenpoint Landing is a waterfront building with apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms, and rents from $3,557 to $11,178.

Amenities include a gym, yoga studio, and coworking spaces.

Pamphille signed a one-year lease for a two-bedroom apartment in August 2024, paying $2,711.24 per month with rental assistance from the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement.

The family covers the remaining 30% of rent.

“After a while, you get tired because life in the shelter is two-fold. You’re glad that you have a bed but the things you have to endure aren’t easy,” Pamphille said.

A New Chapter: Settling Into a Permanent Home

Breaking Ground also partially furnished the apartment with essentials like beds, lamps, a kitchen table, and a couch. The first night in the new home, Pamphille said he felt almost unreal

“I really had to pinch myself and say, ‘Oh, I’m here and I’m not back in the shelter,’ and it was something amazing to me. I felt really happy when I realized I was not back in the shelter anymore.”

Now, life looks very different for Pamphille and his family. Their days include simple routines, like making breakfast, and they finally feel settled enough to plan a vacation.

“I don’t know how long I’ll live, but for right now, I’m here until the good lord calls me home,” he said. “I have no intention of moving anywhere, so this is my home.”

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Saleem Mubarak: The writer is a real estate journalist specializing in all types of New York City properties, including luxury residences, commercial spaces, and homes.

He also writes humorous articles about real estate, investors, and realtors.