New York City Department of Homelessness Services
Encyclopedia
The New York City Department of Homeless Services is the branch of the municipal government of New York City
that provides services to the homeless
, though its ultimate aim is to overcome homelessness. In 2010, the department oversaw 208 facilities with 18,616 beds and served 113,553 unique individuals.
. The Department of Homeless Services was created in response to the growing number of homeless New Yorkers and the 1981 New York Supreme Court Consent Decree that mandates the State provide shelter to all homeless people.
The guiding principles of the department were outlined at a 1992 New York City Commission on the Homeless. The department was to operate an emergency shelter system for people without housing alternatives, provide services and resources to assist shelter residents in gaining independent housing, and partner with local agencies and non-profits to provide these services.
Government of New York City
The government of New York City is organized under the City Charter and provides for a "strong" mayor-council system. The government of New York is more centralized than that of most other U.S...
that provides services to the homeless
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, though its ultimate aim is to overcome homelessness. In 2010, the department oversaw 208 facilities with 18,616 beds and served 113,553 unique individuals.
History
When the department was created in 1993, New York City was the first city to have a city department that was exclusively focused on the issue of homelessnessHomelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
. The Department of Homeless Services was created in response to the growing number of homeless New Yorkers and the 1981 New York Supreme Court Consent Decree that mandates the State provide shelter to all homeless people.
The guiding principles of the department were outlined at a 1992 New York City Commission on the Homeless. The department was to operate an emergency shelter system for people without housing alternatives, provide services and resources to assist shelter residents in gaining independent housing, and partner with local agencies and non-profits to provide these services.
Programs
- Single Adult Shelters
- Family Shelters
- Advantage New York
- Homebase
- SRO Support Services Subsidy Program. More information in Supportive HousingSupportive housingSupportive housing is a combination of housing and services intended as a cost-effective way to help people live more stable, productive lives...
.