By Bill Parry
A City Hall announcement drew praise for Mayor de Blasio from an unlikely source—his former mayoral opponent Christine Quinn.
The administration announced Tuesday that more than 52,000 individuals have left homeless shelters since July 1, 2014 with more than 19,000 moving to permanent housing using newly created rental assistance programs and exit pathways.
“This is tremendous news for Mayor de Blasio’s efforts, and the efforts of advocates and service providers, in finding sustainable, permanent housing for homeless New Yorkers,” Quinn said. “That said, we still have record numbers of homeless families sleeping in New York City shelters. The best way to tackle the homeless problem in New York is to make sure the homeless have access to housing and supportive services. While we have a major problem in front of us, these numbers are a significant step in the right direction.”
The former City Council speaker unsuccessfully battled de Blasio for the Democratic mayoral nomination in 2013. She is now president and CEO of Women in Need, a Brooklyn-based service provider for homeless women and children.
The administration also announced that since July 1, 2014 nearly 92,000 people have enrolled in HomeBase, a proven homelessness prevention program that helps families and individuals stay in their homes. The administration has supported nearly 16,000 households, nearly 50,000 individuals, through its tenant protection programs and anti-eviction services.
“This administration is making unprecedented investments in programs to prevent and reduce homelessness and keep New Yorkers in their homes and avoid shelter,” de Blasio said.
There are currently 57,390 individuals in shelter, officials say. Of those, 40,319 are families with children.
“Many more of our neighbors still need help,” Coalition for the Homeless President and CEO Mary Brosnahan said. “But every family, every individual, every child who moves out of the shelter program and into decent housing is a victory.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
