New York City is grappling with homelessness, as nearly 90,000 people live in city shelters. Furthermore, the city welcomes thousands of homeless migrants from various parts of the world every week. Outlined are key takeaways on the burgeoning issue:
– A 50% increase in the number of families in shelters within the past year
– The projected cost of incoming homeless clients is estimated at $12 billion
– Former deputy commissioner proposes radical changes in policies related to time in shelters and the promotion of self-sufficiency
– As part of the proposed changes, housing aid, job training, and placement will be offered.
Revising Homelessness Policies
The city’s antiquated approach to homelessness, rooted in a 40-year-old policy, is proving inadequate. New York’s policy, which ensures that homeless New Yorkers are provided shelter, was once successful in averting the crises seen in San Francisco, among other cities. However, given the current circumstances, a radical departure from past policies is both needed and timely.
Homeless Community Needs Evaluation
The first step towards a solution is to review the eligibility of men arriving at the central intake center. It is essential to determine whether these individuals have access to shelter through friends, relatives, or other means. Alongside this, their working capabilities should be examined, and if they are fit, job training and placement services should be provided.
Working towards Self-Sufficiency
According to the former deputy commissioner, work should dictate the length of a person’s stay in the shelter, which currently averages at 412 days. Urgent revisions are called for, particularly given the availability of 2,000 vacancies in supportive housing units. Such changes must coincide with the cessation of prisoner dumping by the state Department of Corrections, a practice that exacerbates the city’s homelessness problem.
Addressing Family Homelessness
Currently, there are 18,000 families with children in shelters, averaging a stay of 437 days. To curtail this issue, these families should be assessed for their ability to work and, where applicable, provided with job training, placement, and daycare for their children.
Prompting these families towards self-sustainability as soon as they enter the shelter system is critical. A possible assistance measure would be to offer them housing vouchers worth $2,200 a month and enlist a housing specialist for apartment search. The idea is to make families aware from day one that their stay in the shelter is limited and that cooperation is a necessity.
Addressing Long-Term Stay
Adult families, comprising a parent and an adult child, account for 2,200 of these families and an upsetting 750-day average stay. This calls for a significant policy shift. It is suggested these families contribute 30% of their income to the city as payment for support. Failure to comply could result in evictions or transfers, pressing the need for securing work and housing.
Potential Federal Assistance
While the incumbent mayor’s office has made considerable efforts in providing shelter to 170,000 migrants in the last two years, they need to refocus their energy on seeking federal aid. The mayor should engage Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in efforts to legislate a specific funding stream for migrants countrywide.
To resolve this ongoing crisis, nations need to unite and assist in developing solutions that prevent serious damage to the cities encountering it. The current homeless situation in New York City is a dire testament to the urgency for change.
Mascali, a former deputy commissioner at the city’s Department of Homeless Services, draws on his experience and expertise to call for action, suggesting a balanced blend of policy shifts and practical help to tackle the issue head-on.
Source: NY Daily News