Lawrence 'Muzzy' Rosenblatt

Focus Areas: Nonprofit management; Government; Homelessness, housing, health, and poverty in America

For over 30 years, Muzzy Rosenblatt has been a catalyst for change in how communities and institutions serve people experiencing homelessness. He has led organizations, developed innovative interventions, and influenced policies, making it easier for more and more people in need to achieve their potential and transition to stable health and homes. He held positions in NYC municipal government in the 1980s and 1990s, and presently serves as the CEO of Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC).

Over the past 20 years, Muzzy has led BRC (a nonprofit founded in 1971 by the marginalized residents of the Bowery, New York City’s “skid row”). Building on the inspiring belief of its’ founders, that if given the opportunity they could achieve their potential, BRC has evolved into a robust network of holistic, integrated residential programs and services serving over 10,000 people annually, providing a pathway from homelessness to home. With an annual operating budget of $196 million, a five-year capital budget of over $300 million, and 1,300 full time staff, BRC operates over 30 programs that provide transitional and permanent housing, along with services to address and overcome health, mental health, substance use and economic challenges. An outcome-driven organization, most of the people BRC serves succeed in their efforts to overcome addiction, stabilize their health and mental health, obtain employment and find a place to call home.

Described by The New York Times as “one of New York City’s most respected charity groups,” under Muzzy’s leadership BRC has been grounded in a commitment to transparency and accountability, receiving Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, designated “Top Rated” by Charity Watch, won the NY Nonprofit Excellence Awards, was a National Finalist for the Drucker Prize, and was a winner of the Urban Land Institute NY Award for Excellence in Development.

Recognized by The Nonprofit Times as one of the country’s Top 50 influential nonprofit leaders, Muzzy frequently advises leaders in other cities, and in association with Bloomberg Associates, regularly serves as a subject matter expert for municipalities across the country and around the world. He is a co-author of “How Ten Global Cities Take on Homelessness” (University of California Press, 2021). Muzzy also advocates nationally for effective nonprofit organizations, contributing to “What Matters: Investing in Results to Build Strong, Vibrant Communities,” (Federal Reserve Bank of SF and Nonprofit Finance Fund, 2017). His views have been published in various media outlets.

Prior to BRC, Muzzy held several positions in NYC government, including First Deputy Commissioner and Acting Commissioner of the NYC Department of Homeless Services, the first municipal agency in the U.S. dedicated to homelessness, which he helped establish as a chief of staff in the office of NYC Mayor David N. Dinkins. He earned a BA from Wesleyan University, where he has served both as a Trustee and as Alumni Association President, and an MPA from the Wagner School at NYU. Muzzy has served as a volunteer board member of numerous nonprofit and civic organizations and is frequently asked to serve on government task forces. A native New Yorker he grew up in Manhattan, lived in Brooklyn, and now resides in Queens.

Education

• MPA, New York University
• BA, Wesleyan University