"In October, Fernández became the first layperson to serve as executive director of the century-old CCANY. The network of social service agencies provide a wide range of support-including food, shelter, clothing, health and immigration services, disaster relief, and workforce development, among others-to people in need across New York State. When it comes to housing, CCANY offers programs that provide emergency shelter, prevent evictions, and pay rent for low-income families in housing court."
"The organization is also a housing developer itself through Catholic Homes, a CCANY agency, which owns approximately 3,000 units. More than half of those were acquired through preservation efforts, in which CCNY took over and rehabilitated existing apartments. The organization's goal for 2026 is to refinance and preserve around 1,120 units. But Fernández-who immigrated from Spain and was previously the president and CEO of Catholic Charities in San Antonio, Texas-admits even their robust level of programming is a drop in the bucket."
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York reorganized leadership and moved headquarters in 2025, appointing J. Antonio Fernández as the first lay executive director. The network offers food, shelter, clothing, health and immigration services, disaster relief, workforce development, and housing programs that include emergency shelter, eviction prevention, and rental assistance for low-income families. Catholic Homes, a CCANY agency, owns roughly 3,000 units, more than half acquired through preservation projects. The organization aims in 2026 to refinance and preserve about 1,120 units. Fernández, an immigrant from Spain and former CEO in San Antonio, acknowledges programming remains insufficient given widespread rent burden.
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