Homelessness Resources

1. As you know, the city has been facing a housing crisis for a while now, these issues have only increase with the health crisis our world is going through. As we face unprecedented challenges which includes a financial one, it is become clear that the lack of funding for agencies and organizations to provide supportive services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness have resulted in situations like yours.

There are a few organizations who are extremely focused in making effect on these problems and I wanted to share them with you, if you are interested in contacting them to get involve in their mission:

Coalition for the Homeless: https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/volunteer/ (the page says no volunteers are being added due to COVID) but reach out to the e-mails in the programs listed and cc me and I'll make sure to talk to them about your involvement.
Vocal-NY: https://www.vocal-ny.org/homelessness
- Phone: 718-802-9540

Email: info@vocal-ny.org (same instructions as the previous bulletpoint).

2. Additionally, we need all help with advocating for funding for these programs. You can reach out to the Commissioner of Department of Homeless Services.

Office of the Commissioner

33 Beaver Street, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10004

212-361-8000

Send e-mail here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/home/mail/html/maildhs.html

3. If you are experiencing unsheltered homelessness and living on the streets or subway, you can get help at Drop-In Centers (DICs). These centers are designed to make getting services easier and to help remove barriers that may be keeping you from taking the first step toward transitional and permanent housing.

At DICs, you can access specialized services that meet your immediate needs such as:

· Hot meals and clothing

· Showers and laundry facilities

· Counseling, case management services, and connections to health care, including medical care and mental health care

· Help finding a job or applying for benefits

· On-site staff can also work closely with you to help you transition off the streets if you choose to do so.

You can drop in at any time. All centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

4. The Mayor’s Office and city agencies- have dedicated more resources to assisting homeless individuals and families across the City. However, the sad reality is that if the individuals decide not to accept the services being offered to them by a multitude of social service providers and city offices, there is nothing we can do. We cannot force anyone to receive services.

Forcibly removal can only happen when an individual 1) is breaking the law/committing a crime; 2) has set up an encampment structure, such as a tent or other erected structure; and/or 3) during either a CODE BLUE* or CODE RED** days/nights. Outside of these instances, our office encourages you to call 311 when you see homeless individuals congregating/loitering at this site. When you call 311, an outreach team goes out to that site and works to engage the individuals and hopefully connect them to services that will get them off the street and into a shelter.

*CODE BLUE

• Temperature falls below 32 degrees or wind chill below 0 degrees (Fahrenheit).

• Ice storms or freezing rain OR snow greater than 6 inches.

**CODE RED

• Heat index of 90 degrees is predicted by the National Weather Service within 24 hours.

Queens

Breaking Ground

100-32 Atlantic Avenue (at 102nd Street)