For those of you living near the Bedford/Pacific corner where the homeless shelter is, I'm sure you noticed that the homeless people have grown this year and the loitering is spreading and has gotten worse.
I know for a fact that they get kicked out every morning very early and can only go back in the evening, so they really have nowhere to go. For the most part, they really keep to their own crew and don't bother anyone or make the neighborhood unsafe.
The issue is that they are now splattered and sleeping laying across the sidewalks and also in the front doorways to neighboring buildings. I've tried to email the mayor's office and have left countless messages with the Department of Health but have not heard back.
Something needs to be done to help these people, and also clean up the neighborhood. Has anyone else done anything? Was thinking of going to the news with this (for those living in the area you know what i'm talking about). They're not just hanging out on the corner anymore, some look dead laying in the street and sidewalks and the entrance to apartment buildings.
Comments
http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45310/new-building-at-atlantic-and-nostrand-long-island-why-sbs-is-lousy-dhs-clients-during-the-day/p1
I believe some of the residents have now lived in the shelter for years.
So, it would not surprise me if some set of reisdents (newbies? older guys?) were not welcome on Heckimer Place and instead spent their time nearby.
If Heckimer Place is ever developed, it isn't clear to me where they will all go during the day.
...but it is clear that the community will suddenly become aware of them much more than they are now.
http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45645/as-housing-for-the-poorest-disappeares-cost-of-shelter-soars#Item_7
http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/our-programs/advocacy/legal-victories/the-callahan-legacy-callahan-v-carey-and-the-legal-right-to-shelter/
It isn't clear to me how the city will get out this mess in light of:
- the increased demand caused by a reduction in the size of the prison and mental health systems
- decrease in the supply of beds caused by increasing housing costs.
The city has previously tried to reduce number of people in its system without finding them housing, and lost.
http://www.legal-aid.org/en/mediaandpublicinformation/inthenews/newyorkcourtofappealsrulesthatthedepartmentofhomelessservicesviolatedthecityadministrativeprocedure.aspx
The city is in a really tight spot.
The advocates are not going to let the city out of its corner, and both sides of the battle know that supportive housing can not be built fast enough to meet the demand.
Thus far, they have been unsuccessful.
To make the matter somewhat complicated, many of the residents are disabled to the degree that they ARE allowed to remain in the shelter during the day, but don't want to.
For a variety of reasons, shelters can't lock a resident in, so -again- it is hard to find blame with either the city or the advocates.
Both the city and the advocates are aware that large numbers of unsightly homeless people decrease home values and tend to cause employed, powerful people to constantly call politicians, commissioners, and the ever-in-need-of-something-to-fill airtime New 12.
...the city and advocates would help if they could.
...I am just explaining the complicating factors that got all of us here.
I walked by Herkimer today. Dozens of guys hanging out. That's not what's happening on this side and it's not what I'm talking about.
In this regard, residents of a city have common interests with their government.
In the summer months, you will find guys strewn out on the sidewalk throughout the area. A church at approximately Dean and Nostrand distributes meals, which causes the guys to fall out on the way to and from it.
I do not believe that the shelter has a larger population than it has in the past, but I do believe the length of stay to be longer and severity of disabilities to be much greater.
The city can no longer place people in unlicense adult homes to same degree it once could:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/04/07/nyregion/order-on-housing-mentally-ill-adults-in-new-york-city-is-struck-down.html?referrer=
This has caused shelters to house the population, in a situation that is arguably less suited to their needs.
For better or worse, this will further inhibit DHS's ability to ever close the Atlantic -Bedford facility.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150601/BLOGS04/150529845/city-quietly-drops-plan-to-redevelop-massive-brooklyn-armory
...that money went back into the city's general fund.
Recovering Addict Fears Crackdown On Three-Quarter Housing Could Increase Homeless Problem
http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-announces-arrest-and-indictment-nonprofit-executives-charged-kickback
Much of the problem stems from the state agency charged with overseeing drug facilities: OASAS.
If the Feds and NYS don't improve OASAS, they are going to have to rely on indictments by the AG to catch such fraud, which is not realistic long term plan.
----------------
NYAPRS Action Alert!
CALL the NYS ASSEMBLY TODAY and tell them to VOTE NO on Bill A.02553A!!
This bill would give the NYC City Planning Commission the ability to stop new Supportive Housing residences from being built, and threatens to shut down existing residences that are already serving
formerly homeless individuals and families!
CALL the Assembly members listed below NOW and tell them to VOTE NO on A.02553A .
Tell them this bill:
· Is discriminatory and violates both the ADA and Fair Housing Acts;
· Allows a city agency to evict formerly homeless and low-income residents;
· Jeopardizes all supportive housing construction;
· Jeopardizes all existing single-site supportive housing that houses over 20,000 people in the NYC area including women and children who are domestic violence survivors and homeless veterans; and
· Jeopardizes all of the state, federal, city funding (billions!) that has been invested in building and sustaining this housing.
Tell these assembly members, “There is no recovery without housing. A02553A promotes stigma and discrimination, and threatens my right to recover with dignity in the community!”
Background on bill: The NYS Senate passed this bill last week and the Assembly version (A02553A) is currently in the Assembly’s Cities Committee. It’s crucial that you send an email and/or call Assembly member Michael Benedetto and the additional following State Assembly sponsors and co-sponsors of the bill and tell them why they should vote no.
NO TIME TO DELAY – CALL NOW!!
Michael Benedetto (Primary Sponsor/Cities Committee Chair)
benedettom@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5296
Peter J. Abbate
abbatep@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-3053
Michael Blake
BlakeM@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5272
Edward C. Braunstein
braunsteine@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5425
Alec Brook-Krasny
BrookKrasnyA@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4811
Marco Crespo
CrespoM@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5514
Michael G. DenDekker
DenDekkerM@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4545
Jeffrey Dinowitz
DinowiJ@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5965
Mark Gjonaj
GjonajM@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5844
Phillip Goldfeder
GoldfederP@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4292
Margaret M. Markey
MarkeyM@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4755
Michael Miller
MillerMG@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4621
Walter T. Mosley
MosleyW@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5325
Francisco P. Moya
moyaf@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4567
Victor M. Pichardo
PichardoV@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5511
Luis R. Sepulveda
SepulvedaL@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5102
Michael Simanowitz
simanowitzm@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4404
Aravella Simotas
simotasa@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-5014
Matthew Titone
TitoneM@assembly.state.ny.us
518-455-4677
However, at the present rate of growth (both in terms of the homeless population and associated financial outlay), the city could make an argument that complying with the Callahan decision is too onerous.
http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/our-programs/advocacy/legal-victories/the-callahan-legacy-callahan-v-carey-and-the-legal-right-to-shelter/
However, in light of the huge amount of wealth pouring into NYC, I think a judge would tell the city they need to find a way to make it work: Find a way to tax the rich to pay for the disabled.
I also think the populous has grown accustomed to the streets being relatively free of homeless people, and will continue to be willing to bear the financial cost in order to gain the associated benefits.
While I do not perceive the threats to shelter as real, I do perceive the threats to supportive housing as real:
http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/5749-proven-homelessness-fighting-program-loses-state-funding-faces-uncertain-future
If a homeless person becomes better, or more self sufficient as a result of being given an apartment that improves the Central Business District, that is nice
....but if they don't, that is ok too. In fact, it isn't really relevant to many of the forces behind the funding.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/redirect?to-mobile=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/nyregion/new-york-comptroller-taking-aim-at-three-quarter-homes-urges-city-agencies-to-end-referrals.html?referrer=
Um, would you prefer we send them to your Apt? Maybe the Marriott ?
Everyone in my neighborhood says it's worse this year than last.
I saw that article too - it's impressive that the NYT can do some investigative reporting on corruption that gets investigated, and then write an article about their article. Journalism led to something being done.
To me it points to a lack of regulation of these 3/4 houses or whatever solution could replace them. Unfortunately, oversight costs money.
So, if you would like a city job, applying to DHS is a good bet. If you meet the qualifications, you are likely to get an interview and I expect it to be at least five years before the agency is targeted for cuts:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dhs/html/about/work.shtml
This is in sharp contrast to the job retention prospects I perceive at agencies like the DOE/BOE, ACS, and DOHMH.
While such change is painful, the worst off are unable to pursue a goal that would benefit them.
The reasons are complex. The hands of the city are quite tied: Even if the city had the best intentions, laws prohibit "us" from housing or moving "them" beyond the city's borders.
The decision to move is going to have to happen on an individual basis.
Some perceive the shelter system as merely replacing the jails, as evidenced in part by the security that is now provided/required to safely run the "changed" facilities.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/07/nyregion/new-york-city-works-to-improve-safety-of-homeless-shelter-workers.html?_r=1
That is all. But seriously. We do not pay enough in taxes.
http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45645/as-housing-for-the-poorest-disappeares-cost-of-shelter-soars#Item_7
The increase in demand for shelter was a certainty.
It is as if the gov imagined that "these people", as well as their legal obligations to house them would disappear.
....we are witnessing what happens when gov departments each pursue their own self interests, and we now get to see if and how those in charge address the cumulative effects.
The same forces likely contributed to them becoming homeless though.
The city will soon begin not requiring bail for thousands of people presently held in jail, and this will radically shorten their stay in that part of "the cycle".
While I consider this to be a positive development, this will increase the amount of time that they are likely to spend in shelters.
http://m.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-eliminate-bail-non-violent-suspects-article-1.2285029
The problem is one of capacity. Ever larger portions of the indigent, misdemeanor population will be served by shelters until they are self sufficient.
For some, that day takes a really long time to arrive, if it ever arrives.
http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/5806-city-fights-to-stem-annual-tide-of-summer-family-homelessness
http://www.cityandstateny.com/2/politics/new-york-city/long-term-solutions-to-three-quarter-houses.html#.VaUuxNm9Kc2
1. Prevent tenant harassment.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-tenant-program-counters-harassment-by-landlords-1437162400
2. Prevent homelessness.
If the shelters still had room to spare, I don't think this program would be as active...
The 3/4 house "system" is very fragile.
Cue the ominous music:
Which of course may or may not happen and since there's no time limit it could be endless.
...it should be interesting to see if they believe a lawsuit will change anything.
http://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2016/12/de-blasio-says-he-owns-homeless-crisis-but-believes-his-policies-will-help-bring-down-shelter-population-107885
Quote....
From: (redacted)
Date: February 3, 2017 at 2:13:15 PM EST
To: (redacted)
Subject: Capacity Coordinator Job at NYC Department of Homeless Services
Hello all,
Interested in Real Estate? Housing? Zoning? City budgets, contracts or procurement?
We are expanding the Capacity Planning and Development division at DHS to keep up with the growing demand for shelter.
It's more of a project management position working with landlords, non-profit providers, real estate brokers and staff throughout the Agency. We are in search of folks who are comfortable being generalists, working under pressure, and who can easily adapt to the changing nature of this industry.
Please see the attached job description to apply and let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
(Name and title redacted)
Capacity Planning and Development
NYC Department of Homeless Services
Yes, it has the perfect storm for creating homelessness:
1. Great weather.
2. High $ cost to leave island if you are there and broke.
3. High housing costs
4. Sympathetic Asian tourists who donate $ to beggars.
5. Very liberal social policies that prevent the police and other agencies from forcing homeless out of the tourist areas.
6. Major industry of state (tourism) pays very low wages.
7. Barely functioning drug treatment and mental health programs.