NYC Looks Beyond Shelters to Fight Chronic Homelessness July 7, 2004
News Summary
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched the "Uniting for Solutions Beyond Shelters" program, a plan designed to reduce the city's homeless population by two-thirds within five years, Reuters reported July 5.According to the city's Department of Homeless Services, 36,498 homeless people slept in 50 dormitory-like city shelters on a recent night in June, while several thousand others slept on the streets. The figures also show a 104-percent increase over the past six years of homeless families living in shelters.
Under Bloomberg's plan, homeless individuals who leave jails, public hospitals, and foster-care units would be provided with help in finding jobs and assistance. In addition, a database will be established to track long-term homeless individuals.
The plan would also increase the number of rent-subsidized apartments for people with mental and physical disabilities from 5,000 to 12,000 units, and add more social workers to assist with residents. Legal advice would also be available for people facing eviction.
Homeless advocates said the action is long overdue. "Before 9/11, the homeless figure passed 25,000, and it has only escalated since then. Bloomberg has inherited an enormous hole from the Guiliani legacy," said Mary Brosnahan Sullivan, head of the Coalition for the Homeless.
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