BREAKING: Barbra Streisand Donates $5 Million to Build Homeless Support Centers in Brooklyn
Barbra Streisand has always been one of the most celebrated voices in music history — but this week, she proved that her heart may be even bigger than her voice. In a stunning act of generosity, Streisand has pledged her entire $5 million in recent royalties and sponsorship earnings to create a network of homeless support centers in Brooklyn, New York — the borough where she was born and raised.
The groundbreaking initiative will fund 150 permanent housing units and 300 shelter beds, along with access to meals, medical care, and job-placement programs for Brooklyn’s unhoused population.
“I’ve seen too many people in my hometown struggling to survive bitter nights without shelter,” Streisand said at an emotional press conference. “If I have the ability to change that, I will. No one should have to sleep outside in the cold.”
A Mission Rooted in Home
For Streisand, who grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Flatbush, this is a deeply personal mission. She recalled walking those streets as a teenager, dreaming of a future on the stage, and seeing neighbors struggle with poverty even then. “I never forgot where I came from,” she said. “Brooklyn made me tough, but it also made me compassionate. I owe this community everything.”
Local officials praised Streisand’s decision as “transformational.” Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called it “a gift that goes beyond charity — it’s a structural investment in human dignity.”
The Scope of the Project
The network will include three new homeless resource centers strategically placed across Brooklyn. Each facility will offer overnight shelter beds, mental health counseling, addiction recovery services, and on-site case managers to help residents transition to stable housing.
The 150 housing units will be permanent residences, prioritized for families with children and elderly individuals at risk of chronic homelessness. “This is not just a band-aid solution,” said project director Elena Martinez. “This is a long-term commitment to ending the cycle of homelessness.”
Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the first center opening by winter of that year.
Why Now?
Streisand’s announcement comes at a time when New York City is facing one of its most severe homelessness crises in decades. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, more than 80,000 New Yorkers experience homelessness on any given night — the highest number since the Great Depression.
The singer and actress said the crisis had weighed on her mind for years, but the bitter winter of 2024-2025 pushed her to act. “I would walk past subway grates and see people huddled in blankets, trying to keep warm,” she said. “I couldn’t just turn away anymore.”
The Power of Celebrity Giving
Philanthropy experts say Streisand’s gift could inspire a wave of similar actions from other high-profile figures. “When an artist of Barbra Streisand’s stature makes a commitment like this, it sends a message,” said Dr. Lila Greene, a professor of social policy at NYU. “It says homelessness is not just a political issue, it’s a human issue — and solving it requires all of us.”
Fans worldwide have taken to social media to praise the move. “This is why Barbra is a legend — not just because of her voice, but because she uses it to speak for others,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Beyond the Stage
Streisand has a long history of philanthropy, having previously funded research at UCLA’s Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center and donated millions to environmental and civil rights causes. But this latest gesture is her largest single personal gift to date.
“People think of me as a performer,” Streisand said. “But the stage isn’t the only place I can make a difference. This is my encore — a different kind of performance, for the city that gave me my first audience.”
Community Response
Residents in Brooklyn have already begun rallying around the initiative. Local churches, nonprofits, and volunteer groups are coordinating efforts to provide staffing and ongoing support once the centers open.
“This is more than just money — it’s hope,” said Marcus Boyd, who has experienced homelessness in Brooklyn. “When someone like Barbra Streisand says we matter, it tells the whole city that we matter.”
Looking Ahead
As the press conference concluded, Streisand wiped away tears and smiled softly at the cheering crowd. “This is just the beginning,” she said. “If we can build theaters, we can build homes. And we must.”
With her $5 million pledge, construction plans already underway, and community organizations preparing to welcome residents, the project is poised to become a model for other cities facing similar challenges.
In a time when headlines often focus on division and despair, Streisand’s gift is a reminder that compassion still has the power to change lives — and even an entire city.
