Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) has welcomed Ashley Brody, MPA, CPRP, CEO Search for Change, to its Board of Directors.
Founded 50 years ago, Search for Change has been a leader in supportive housing and community-based mental health recovery services across Westchester and Putnam counties. Established during New York’s deinstitutionalization era, the organization helped shape modern supportive housing and psychiatric rehabilitation approaches — evidence-based models now used across New York state and the nation.
Brody has been with Search for Change for 31 years, serving as CEO for the past decade.
Today, the organization operates a coordinated network of housing and support services, employment counseling/vocational rehabilitation, outreach and intensive transitional care, mental and behavioral health services and crisis response respite services.
As a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life and self-sufficiency of individuals and families facing emotional, social, and economic barriers, Search for Change helps people build skills, strengthen supports and access the resources needed to obtain and to maintain quality housing, meaningful employment, educational opportunities, positive relationships, personal health and overall wellness.
As a result, participants consistently demonstrate measurable gains in independence, long-term housing stability, job retention and workforce participation, reduced hospital and crisis-system utilization and decreased homelessness – outcomes that strengthen families, communities and the regional economy.
Search for Change is now expanding into multifamily supportive and affordable housing development to meet rising demand across the Hudson building on five decades of operating community residences with 24-hour rehabilitation support, apartment treatment programs with medium service intensity and long-term scattered-site supportive housing for fully independent living.
This evolution responds directly to urgent regional housing shortages and increases capacity to serve residents with complex needs while creating stable, high-quality, service-supported homes that allow individuals to thrive, work and remain rooted in their communities. This expansion strengthens long-term recovery and independence for tenants and delivers measurable social and economic benefits to the Hudson Valley.
“Our next chapter is about expanding supportive and affordable housing options in our communities. To do that, we need partners across the business, economic development and civic landscape. HVEDC brings those relationships, that visibility and that shared commitment to progress. We joined because it truly takes a village to move housing forward and HVEDC is that village,” said Brody.
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