CSH joined our Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing partners and New York City Councilmembers on the steps of City Hall today in support of a resolution calling on Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio to quickly negotiate and sign a fourth ”New York/New York Agreement.” The campaign is urging the commitment of state and city resources to create 30,000 units of supportive housing in the next 10 years in an effort to meet the growing need of supportive housing across New York City & State.
CSH Director Kristin Miller introduced the event and stated “we know past investments in supportive housing have more than paid off. The proof is thousands of homeless New Yorkers found the homes and services they need because the City and State made supportive housing a priority. There are still plenty of homeless people and many providers eager to move forward with supportive housing, so we urge a signed commitment from the City and State now to make these projects a reality and help thousands more find stable lives.”
As winter begins in New York City, there are more than 58,000 people in municipal homeless shelters each night. An estimated two-thirds of the street homeless population; 30-to-40% of homeless adults without children in shelters; and 10-to-15% of homeless families with children are in need of permanent supportive housing. At the same time, with NY/NY III drawing to a close, hundreds of units slated to come online could be delayed and few resources would be available for new development without a new agreement.
Council Member Stephen Levin, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare sponsored the City Council resolution, “To address the record homelessness crisis in New York, we need to utilize proven solutions that work.” “We need urgent action on NY/NY IV and we need a commitment that matches the growing needs of homeless families and individuals in New York.”
The Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing currently has over 180 endorsements from community leaders and organizations from across the city and state. Find out how you can participate here.
Photo: CSH staff with Tori Lyon, Executive Director of the Jericho Project and Council Member Stephen Levin, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare.