Homelessness, Subsidies and Policy...

“Solutions” to homelessness and policies on housing subsidies have been all over the online media recently. I’m passing on some of the more attention-grabbing pieces here because it could be interesting to compare this to H.S.I.’s policies regarding ending homelessness. Click on blue links for more details. You may feel that this is a minor concern for us since we’re no longer homeless, but many of us came to Kenmore Hall because we were homeless once. The problem is growing, and funds are getting tighter all around – keep your rent subsidy as long as you can! And some people may want to get involved in some of the public actions posted below.

From Gotham Gazette

De Blasio's Homelessness Reset: Advantage Lessons Learned

by John Surico

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On June 23rd, 2004, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg outlined his five-year strategy to attack homelessness in New York City. It was an agenda his administration vowed would cut the rate by 66 percent by the time the mayor left office at the end of 2009, before he convinced the City Council to extend his and its term limits. And, better yet, he said, it wouldn't cost that much at all. "This new plan aims to replace the City's over-reliance on shelter with innovative, cost-effective interventions that solve homelessness," the mayor declared.

At the heart of this was Advantage. A rental assistance program started in 2007, Advantage would transition thousands of homeless families from the New York City shelter system into affordable housing through one- to two-year subsidies. Both city and state funds would cover 40 percent of rent the first year, and 30 percent the second year.

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April 2014

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POLICY MATTERS A monthly update on policy issues in the fight against homelessness in NYC.  Something to Celebrate in the New State Budget A last-second language change on Monday, March 31 paves the way for a critical rental subsidy program for homeless New Yorkers. As state legislators and Governor Cuomo enacted the new state budget they removed language prohibiting any city in New York of over 5 million from using state money to fund a rental subsidy program for homeless people.  Just 5 days before this year's March 31st deadline the prohibitive language was still firmly in place. There were media stories reporting policy makers were saying it was too late in the process to change it. But client leaders, advocates and public officials championing the cause stepped up efforts in the final hours of budget negotiations and overcame long odds to remove the prohibitive language. Read more about the advocacy campaign, Care for the Homeless' testimony before City Council and the last-second budget change here.  That clears the way for a subsidy program absolutely critical to fighting and ending modern day homelessness. This success isn't an end, though. It's a beginning. If you want to join our grass roots campaign to build the better policies that can end modern day homelessness as we know it in New York, sign on by sending your e-mail and contact information to policy@cfhnyc.org. We'll sign you up for this monthly Policy Matters newsletter, too!

Shelter Census Hits New High as Housing Hits New Low

Over 111,000 People in NYC's Shelters in 2013 Even as we celebrate the opportunity to more effectively fight homelessness, we recognize just how enormous NYC's homelessness crisis has become. More than 111,000 New Yorkers slept in city homeless shelters in New York City at some point in 2013.  The Coalition for the Homeless State of Homelessness 2014 report released in March documented these new records: ·  City DHS shelters averaged a record high daily census of 53,615 people ·  That included a horrendous 22,712 children, another record high ·  In 2013, average duration of stay in shelter for homeless families increased to 14.5 months The recent increase in city shelter population has been driven primarily by homeless families. In 2002, DHS reported an average of 7,111 families in city shelters. That increased in January, 2013, to 12,712 families - an increase of over 78% in 11 years. Last month New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli also released his Housing Affordability in New York State report, documenting falling median wages in New York and rising housing costs have pushed many New Yorkers over the housing crisis edge. Three million New York households are in housing they can't afford. Read more.
Join Care for the Homeless at NYC AIDS Walk on May 18 For almost a decade Care for the Homeless has taken part in the NYC AIDS Walk, raising public awareness, supporting the cause and raising funds for the fight against HIV and AIDS. In 2014, Team Care for the Homeless, led by client leaders from our two consumer boards, is once again participating. About two dozen clients and staff are already on board, and we hope you will join us. The walk is on Sunday, May 18, in Central Park. Opening Ceremonies kick off at 9:15, with the walk starting about 10 a.m. It's a 6.2 mile walking course. We take a fairly leisurely pace (though each walker can set their own pace), so it's a 2.5 hour walk if you go the distance. Team members are invited to participate for as much or as little of the event as they are comfortable. It's a festive, fun atmosphere featuring music, celebrities, lots of support and good will. Last year we walked in terrible rain, but we've been assured it'll be a beautiful day for a celebration and a walk this May 18th. You're invited to join the Care for the Homeless AIDS Walk team by contacting us atpolicy@cfhnyc.org, or you can sign up with our team at the AIDS Walk New York website.

Letter to the Editor published in the New York Times "A Crisis of Homelessness': Read Bobby Watts' latest Letter to the Editor in the New York Times and learn why we need to increase our federal support for affordable housing, not let it fall victim to mindless sequestration. Download the printable version of this month's Policy Matters newsletter here.

alt="Care for the Homeless Logo" name="14527bb77217eaec_ACCOUNT.IMAGE.18" border=0 v:shapes="_x0000_s1027">Policy Matters is a monthly update on policy and advocacy issues in the fight against homelessness in New York City.

Learn more and support our Homelessness at careforthehomeless.org.