NYC's Plan To Offer Furniture To Residents Taking Back Homeless

In order to relieve overcrowding in homeless shelters, the city's Department of Homeless Services may employ a plan that requires single adults currently living in shelters to return to their last place of residence. In return, the city will offer furniture and possibly even food stamps and health insurance to residents who agree to take the individuals back.

According to the proposed policy, if homeless single adults do not return to their former location, they will be forcibly removed by an officer before they become eligible for shelter again.

If family members or friends refuse to take back the individuals, homeless shelters will have the authority to deny them space.

Agency commissioner Seth Diamond said he believed the offer was "appropriate" and said, "If it makes an available room something that's a viable option, we want to support that. There are modest changes that can be made to the layout of an apartment to accommodate another single."

The controversial furniture deal coincides with Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to require homeless adults seeking shelter to go through an interview screening process to determine if the applicants have no other viable options of residency.

The proposed screening process has come under harsh criticism from homeless advocates and City Council members who believe the plan is "dangerous" and "misguided." In November, the City Council voted to sue the city over the stricter policies, with the city eventually deciding to postpone the start of the process.

The Bloomberg administration received another blow when it was reported that the number of people sleeping in shelters reached 41,000, marking it the first time shelters had exceeded the 40,000 mark.

Comments

[CASnyder]

05:25 AM on 01/26/2012

I was with the concept until I found out the mayor wants to require the last known address to take them back, which would probably be enforcing overcrowded conditions on the poor, which tends to lead to violence. I think the census data should be used to identify prosperous folks who already have a vacant room, and ask them nicely & publically in front of the media to take in a homeless person (especially a vet) until NYC got enough shelter spots. Wouldn't even need to provide furniture that way. And I'd bet that the very next election cycle, suddenly people would find themselves in favor of new taxes for funding sufficient dedicated shelters for the homeless.

[mbrahms26]

09:09 AM on 01/23/2012

Those large luxury apartments on the Upper East and West Sides should be the first to offer shelter to the homeless. Trump Tower can also acommodate many.

[Scholastica8]

02:28 AM on 01/23/2012

Here's a thought: Once upon a time, up through the 1700s, churches and cemeteries were used to house the homeless. It was relatively common for families that had gone bankrupt to move into the family tomb. That was back when bankruptcy was a constant danger, debtors prisons were the rule, and there was no safety net. Others just moved into whatever tomb was available. One of the reasons scary stories developed around cemeteries is because they were very dangerous places to go. Maybe they should throw upen Green-wood Cemetery and rather than giving away furniture, give away tents and sleeping bags.

[Scholastica8]

02:12 AM on 01/23/2012

"There are modest changes that can be made to the layout of an apartment to accommodate another single"

Wonder what they're going to do about the owners of the apartment building.... and how about building codes... and fire codes.

Just a few years ago, many cities were trying to impose laws saying that a 2 bedroom apartment could only house 4 people, because only 2 people could share a bedroom.

All too often family and friends that have allowed a person to couch surf have really offered a sleeping bag on the floor because the couch is already occupied by Grandma or 2 or 3 kids. We are already in a situation where families are doubling and tripling up because rents are so high.

It seems to me like what we have at work is something similar to the Irish Poor Laws during the Potato Famine. The law required that counties feed and house anyone residing within their borders, so counties kept people moving.... if they were kept moving, they were not residing. It was perpetual motion for tens of thousands of people... until they dropped dead... and so became residents that way. I suspect that what the mayor wants to do is make NYC so onerous to people that they'll leave.... and go to LA.

[rob12345]

12:19 PM on 01/22/2012

When years ago the advocates for the homeless proposed help for relatives to prevent homelessness, the mayor and politicians said it was giving a 'free pass' to the relatives. Now, they want to force the relatives to take the person with offers of furniture etc. This is what happens when politicians are there to make money for themselves. They don't want to address the issues. They just want to use the resources for themselves and their wealthy pals, like giving our land away to CEOs (Yankees, etc).

[Scholastica8]

02:15 AM on 01/23/2012

Remember when laws were passed to prevent overcrowding? The laws were aimed at the immigrant populations. OMG! people were living 10 to an apartment! Are we again becoming a nation of tenement dwellers?

[EmJay01]

02:00 PM on 01/21/2012

This isn't a right or left problem, it's a NYC management and greed problem, this city is becoming too expensive to thrive in unless you are rich or a tourist. There really is no middle class here, and what's left of us is being pushed out. It isn't worth living here, panhandling in the streets and on the subways has become so intrusive, and people are now using their kids and infants as sympathy props, I was asked for money by 4 seperate panhandlers on one train ride! Taxes and the cost of goods are soaring, however, the quality of services such as transportation, public education, and public safety are in serious decline, there are very few jobs and the kids have no future here....Bloomberg is so out of touch with the realities of this city that there is no wonder homeless shelters are busting at the seams!

[SCARLLET3232]

08:28 AM on 01/23/2012

WELL YOU CAN THANK THAT IDIOT MAYOR FOR THAT.

[laser focused]

08:29 AM on 01/21/2012

most people did have other options, but the problem with these people is they burned bridges with friends and alienated family members. now is time to salvage those relationships and get back in the good graces of the ones that can help you. winter is far from over so hitting the streets should be avoided at all costs. here is a chance to reverse course and start making better decisions. maybe some of the liberal w/e/e/n/i/e/s here on hp and other far left phoney do-gooders sites can put you up in their 1 BR apts...just for a little while. many of the liberals should be looking to square themselves with the almighty.

[greenlass]

10:34 AM on 01/21/2012

Vets, families, mentally unwell - these are some of the people in our country who are without homes, without health coverage, without enough food, and living on the streets. People who are advocating for the disenfranchised and forgotten come from all across of the political and religious spectrum. It is facile and unhelpful to cast it in the light you do.

By the way, it is useful to remember when the term "homeless" came into existence in our country: Reagan's cuts. Before Reagan, it was possible for people to at least have shelter and social support. It is a stain on the conscious of this country, and I would lay it at the feet of conservative republican ruthless, heartless, greed.

[laser focused]

12:26 PM on 01/21/2012

the homeless are not a special or protected class. its what it is. yes some do deserve help, but too many have made bad decisions and continue to make bad decisions.

I know many that did well under ronbo, so you have nothing there...its all subjective.

Nice sermon there -- you should give at the mission this evening. will you be there "helping"?

[dmbranagan]

07:58 AM on 01/21/2012

with all the wealth in nyc and nyc getting the bulk of all of new york state's tax dollars , the taxpayers should demand that special funds be used to create section 8 subsidized housing, one room with a shared bath between rooms,an on premise soup kitchen. This can easily be done for I am sure thee are a few buildings that the city can donate for that purpose, This way the homeless will have a verifiable address maybe a better way of getting back into the mainstream of society.

the next phase would be to have a form of on the job training facility. I'd rather see my tax dollars go for something like this then to line the pockets of the wealthy realestate profiteers.

[snelsonjr204]

04:31 AM on 01/21/2012

Publish Bloomberg's home address. Get about 10,000 people to claim it as their last place of residence. A truck load of Army cots should fulfill the furniture need.

[brooklyncitizen]

12:55 AM on 01/21/2012

I watch this population grow each year and I feel shame that we don't do better.

Bloomberg is making NYC for the rich only...how about crating affordable housing? hasn't happenned under his 12 year reign; this policy is inhumane.It is a deliberate attempt to get the homeless to leave...I'm surprised he isn't abducting and shipping them out of the country.We need more shelters and we need a comprehensive policy for this problem.

[emmeaki]

12:17 AM on 01/21/2012

If these people could just "go back" to somewhere then they wouldn't be homeless, now would they? Why not build housing that regular people can afford instead of more luxury condos? Coffee shops, stores, and restaurants are popping up everywhere, but with the salary that they pay, people still can't afford an apartment. People talk about the unemployed, but what about those of us who have jobs, but still can't afford or can barely afford to pay rent, let alone other expenses.

[brooklyncitizen]

12:52 AM on 01/21/2012

you make too much sense

[laser focused]

08:36 AM on 01/21/2012

because people like me like luxury condos and stores to shop, great restaurants to eat in. I've earned it. I learned some time ago that if you wanted to be looked upon favorably and treated more special then you're going to need money to get in on those things, and thats just what I did went out and put myself in the position to make lots of money. doesn't always work for everyone, but whats it hurt to try.

[emmeaki]

10:11 AM on 01/21/2012

Who do you think cooks and serves the food in those restaurants? Who do you think stocks those stores and ring up your purchases. These people earn their money just like you and they have a right to have a decent place to live.

[greenlass]

10:36 AM on 01/21/2012

Then count your blessings and thank your lucky stars. But believe me: it could happen to you.

[ok3apples]

04:04 PM on 01/20/2012

yeah, this is going to work. How about a serious discussion in this country about what is going on? There is not enough work for everyone. There is not enough housing and the housing there is is insanely expensive. The cost of living is high in almost every city and the cost of transportation to get to the city where jobs may or may not be is also expensive. There are serious mental health issues in our society that are not getting dealt with. A lot of people on the streets are ill. The grind of poverty will do that. This is an expensive country to live in and if we don't want to see even more people living on the streets we really do need to address this problem and figure out solutions. The wealthy really do need to pay their fair share. They have benefitted enormously from low wage workers and the desperation of people willing to do anything to get by.

[laser focused]

08:37 AM on 01/21/2012

waaaah.

[she343]

10:00 PM on 01/25/2012

I can see why you make the big bucks you claim--- such a display of intelligence!

[SCARLLET3232]

08:36 AM on 01/23/2012

NOT LIKE NEW YORK CITY DID YOUPEOPLE EVER SEE WHAT THE RENTS ARE IN THE CITY PLEASE ENOUH OF THE B.S. IT IS IMPOSIBLE TO LIVE IN THE CITY A STUDIO A LITTLE PIECE OF CRAP APT COST YOU 3000.00 A MONTH THEY RIPED YOU OFF IN NEW YORK ESPECIALLY THE THE RENTS SO PLEASE SPARE ME................................

[George Moore]

03:52 PM on 01/20/2012

wow there are so many homeless children, elderly and disabled who dont have a fmily or place to go what kind of people can just kick some poor defenseless person to the curb with no regard. FIGHT FOR THE POOR FIGHT FOR THE POOR FIGHT FOR THE POOR FIGHT FOR THE POOR!!!!!!!

[laser focused]

08:39 AM on 01/21/2012

if you are truly infirmed and not able bodied then they have places for you. stop trying to be some kind of poverty p/i/m/p

[George Moore]

07:58 AM on 01/23/2012

FIGHT FOR THE POOR

[she343]

10:01 PM on 01/25/2012

they are full==can't read?

[marieantoinette1755]

03:07 PM on 01/20/2012

Why don't they just build some reasonable apartment units for people? This not only sounds wasteful, but a violation of civil rights. As usual, our leadership goes the long way around, any route but which, to "find home."

[Lucille]

04:05 PM on 01/20/2012

You're correct, and Mayor Bloomberg should have been made to resign long ago because his conflict of interest is that he is a New York real estate mogul too and he has done NOTHING but allow real estate developers to make luxury condos even in the poorest neighbors if they are either in Manhattan or have quick access to Manhattan (meanwhile I've forgotten how many millions of dollars Bloomberg has made through real estate since he's become Mayor, although it's reported overall he's made literally billions in his time in office).

People in poorer neighborhoods can't afford to move to other apartments in their neighborhoods because what's being built is out of their price range and people of similar income can't move in.

Now Bloomberg wants to pour gasoline on the flames of families that are already in high anxiety mode if they can't or won't house the homeless relatives. I believe many of the domestic murders in New York have occurred because people, who would have removed themselves from the situation a long time ago, are forced to stay in apartments with people they don't get along with.

Bloomberg's term as Mayor can't end too soon.

[Crimmies810]

10:16 PM on 01/20/2012

"Bloomberg'­s term as Mayor can't end too soon."

When he is gone, I'm throwing a party!

I cannot stand this man!

[Max Shaw]

02:44 PM on 01/20/2012

I'm good, thanks. Dont wanna contract Hep C.

#gettingstabbedatnightsucks