Celebrating the Holidays at the Radisson Martinique
In 1898, surrounded by the champagne sparkle of Broadway, the Hotel Martinique opened its doors to visitors from across the globe. Now recognized as the City's oldest operating hotel, the Beaux Arts building has been witness to an array of stories behind its walls- some depicting the wonder and amazement of well-traveled guests, and others more sadly portraying the struggles of families who stayed there during its stint as a welfare hotel.
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An Eligibility Process for Single Adults
Over the past three decades, the City has built a homeless services system for single adults that is now recognized as the most comprehensive and sophisticated in the nation. What started in the 1980’s as essentially “three hots and a cot” is now a network of approximately 60 shelters that provide a broad range of services to assist homeless New Yorkers obtain permanent housing and remain stably housed in the community. Shelter, like all other public benefits, comes with responsibilities — the responsibility of the City to allocate this costly and limited resource to those who truly need it, and the responsibility of applicants to show that they have no other place to stay, even on a temporary basis. For this reason, we determined to implement an eligibility process for single adults seeking shelter. This policy is closely aligned with the existing eligibility process for families with children and adult families — a process we have successfully implemented for the past 16 years.

Although DHS operates the most extensive and innovative shelter system in the country, we remain steadfast in our belief that shelter is not a home but a short-term response to a housing crisis; that shelter is never the best option, but the option of last resort; and that it is the City’s responsibility to allocate this critical yet costly resource to those truly in need. Through eligibility, we can continue our efforts to help at-risk New Yorkers remain in the community, while at the same time return shelter to its root emergency purpose.

Data shows that nearly 60 percent of single adult men currently seeking shelter were living with family or friends before they arrived at intake. While only five years ago, one-third of the adult shelter population reported living on the street prior to shelter entry, today less than 15 percent of those seeking shelter report a history of street homelessness. For these reasons, we are confident that through an eligibility process we can identify applicants who can safely return to available housing resources in the community.

As discussed in the following Daily News editorial on eligibility, it is the City’s responsibility to determine the best strategies for fighting homelessness and to implement them in the most cost-effective manner. An eligibility process for single adults will allow DHS to do precisely that.
Read the New York Daily News editorial 

Ringing in the Holiday Season at Macy's 61st Annual Operation Happy Children Event
 Every year, amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping rush, the magic of the North Pole comes to Macy's Herald Square. Building on this joyous tradition, on Tuesday, November 29, Macy's marked the 61st anniversary of Operation Happy Children– an effort that has long brought the excitement of Santaland to underprivileged children throughout the five boroughs.
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Thanksgiving on the Intrepid
On Tuesday, November 22- continuing its annual Thanksgiving tradition- the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hosted approximately 150 clients from City shelters for a night of education and entertainment. Accompanied by Commissioner Diamond, attendees received personal tours of the vessel, and an up close look at one of the most famous aircraft carriers of all times.
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In Flight Above Manhattan
For the seventh consecutive year, the Fashion Center Business Improvement District (BID) hosted “Kite Flight,” an event that transforms the roof of Port Authority Bus Terminal into an artistically-inspired space. On Sunday, September 18, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond accompanied approximately 100 children from four City shelters to participate in the event, joining the ranks of hundreds of other kids from the community.
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DHS Kicks Off New School Year With Fenimore Church Luncheon
With a new school year now underway, on Saturday, September 10, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond joined 160 parents and children from the Auburn Family Shelter at a luncheon, hosted by Fenimore Church in Brooklyn.
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A Day of Service and Remembrance
On Saturday, September 10- in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks- children from two shelters participated in a national day of service and remembrance. Held at PS 188 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the event centered on the theme of, “I will,” and encouraged youngsters to celebrate diversity and become actively involved in their communities.
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DHS Joins City Response to Hurricane Irene
On Thursday, August 25, DHS joined the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and approximately 40 other agencies in implementing the City's coastal storm plan.
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Fiscal Year 2011 Recap
With Fiscal Year 2012 now underway, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) reflects on the progress it achieved in Fiscal Year 2011. Despite the challenging financial landscape, DHS has worked to maintain services for homeless New Yorkers, while seeking to preserve shelter as a temporary, emergency resource to those in need.
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Commissioner Diamond Participates in Operation Backpack
On Thursday, July 28, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond helped children from City shelters gear up for the school year ahead.
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DHS Utilizes Code Red Procedure For High Temps
With high temperatures now upon the Northeast, DHS is again utilizing its Code Red procedure to protect individuals who are living unsheltered across the City.
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Read the press release (in pdf)

DHS Congratulates Advantage Academy Graduates
On Friday, May 13, DHS and St. John's University held the inaugural commencement ceremony for students of Advantage Academy.
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PATH HAS A NEW LOCATION
 Effective Tuesday, May 3, 2011, the Prevention Assistance & Temporary Housing (PATH) intake center will operate from its new location: 151 East 151 Street in the Bronx. Families with children in need of temporary, emergency shelter in the City of New York should apply at PATH.
 View the map/ Get directions (in pdf)
Learn more about PATH
Read the press release
View the photos

DHS Program Selected as Finalist for Harvard Award
This year, DHS' Court-based Homelessness Prevention Law Project has been selected as one of the top 25 programs in the Innovations in American Government Awards competition, held by the Harvard Kennedy School's ASH Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.
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DHS Releases Results from HOPE 2011
On the night of Monday, January 31, more than 2,800 volunteers fanned out across the five boroughs to conduct the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). Releasing the results of these efforts, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) announced a total of 2,648 individuals living unsheltered throughout the City –a 15 percent decline since 2010 and a 40 percent decline since 2005.
Read the press release
View the survey results
Read the news clips
View the coverage from NY1
View the coverage from WNBC
Listen to coverage from WNYC
Listen to coverage from the John Gambling Radio Show

A System of Solutions
Every night, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is tasked with providing temporary, emergency shelter to each New Yorker who lacks a viable housing alternative. And while every night, DHS successfully meets this goal—never placing a homeless family on a waiting list, or turning them away due to lack of capacity— the City also has a responsibility to preserve shelter as a short-term resource to households in crisis.
Read more
Watch Commissioner Diamond respond to recent advocate reports
Read the editorial from the New York Post
View agency charts

Fighting for Advantage
Last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a $132.9 billion budget for New York State, aiming to reduce year-to-year spending and slash projected expenditures on issues such as education and healthcare. Included in his cuts, was his proposal to abruptly terminate the Advantage rental assistance program, which currently subsidizes the housing of 15,000 formerly homeless residents.
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Read the news clips
Watch coverage on NY1 3/28/11
Watch coverage on NY1 3/17/11
Watch coverage on NY1 3/11/11
Watch coverage on WABC 3/17/11
Listen to archived audio

Preserving Shelter for Families in Need
On Last night alone, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) provided shelter for more than 37,000 New Yorkers, including more than 8,000 families with children. While homeless families in other parts of the nation may be turned away due to lack of capacity— every night, New York City guarantees shelter for all those found eligible or for those in immediate need as they await their eligibility determination.
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View PATH Determinations Chart

City Conducts Seventh Annual HOPE Survey
On Monday, January 31, approximately 3,000 volunteers canvassed public spaces in the five boroughs to conduct the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). The survey's methodology is the national model for estimating street homelessness. Through HOPE, the City can engage concerned New Yorkers in the effort to move chronic street homeless to shelter, and allocate additional resources where they are needed most. Thank you to all of this year's volunteers—the City's true advocates for the homeless—who stepped up to prove that one night can make a difference in the lives of homeless New Yorkers.
View coverage from WNBC
View coverage from NY1
Read the article from the New York Daily News (February 3)
Read the article from the New York Daily News (February 2)
Read the article from the Staten Island Advance
Read the article from the Wall Street Journal

A Commitment to Veterans
In December 2006, Mayor Michael Bloomberg turned his sights toward an important goal: effectively redesigning the City's services to homeless veterans. Joining forces with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the mayor charged a broadly representative task force to tackle the issue of veterans' homelessness head-on– reaching for a day when every veteran can have a place to call home. 
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View Commissioner Diamond's appearance on This Week with Christiane Amanpour

Making Spirits Bright at Macy's 60th Annual Operation Happy Children Event
Every year, amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping rush, the magic of the North Pole comes to Macy's Herald Square. Nestled away in Santaland– a fantasy world of snow-capped mountains, candy canes and toys– the big man in the red suit visits with children and carefully notes each Christmas wish that comes his way.
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View the photos
Watch the video from NYC Media

DHS Implements Code Blue Procedure to Protect Homeless New Yorkers During Dangerous Winter Weather
With cold temperatures and strong winds now afflicting the City, DHS is again utilizing its Code Blue procedure to protect individuals who are living unsheltered throughout the five boroughs. 
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Read the press release (in pdf)

3,000 Volunteers Needed for HOPE
On Monday, January 31, 2011, approximately 3,000 volunteers will fan out across the five boroughs for the seventh annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). Conducting the survey throughout the early morning hours, participants will become the eyes and ears of the City - canvassing streets, parks and other public spaces to identify individuals living unsheltered. 
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Sign up for HOPE 2011
Read the press release (in pdf)

Thanksgiving with Commissioner Diamond
Every Thanksgiving, New York City captivates the nation with the classic sights and sounds of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. However, long after the balloons dance between the buildings, after the floats have halted and the music has subsided, another very important tradition remains: the City's outstanding record of serving New Yorkers who have fallen on hard times during the holiday season. 
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Halloween in Prospect Park
On Saturday, October 30, more than 30 children from two shelters received an extra tasty treat– an afternoon of Halloween fun in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. 
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A Nation United in the Fight Against Homelessness
This June, President Barack Obama unveiled the nation's first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. The report, entitled Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, was the byproduct of intensive interdepartmental collaboration, spearheaded by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).
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Advantage Side Deals Strictly Prohibited
In the last three years, DHS has assisted more than 20,000 households to sign leases and return to self-sufficiency through the Advantage program. With more than 14,000 households currently enrolled, Advantage continues to play a monumental role in helping families and individuals exit shelter and move back to homes of their own. 
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Walking for Awareness
On Saturday, October 2, DHS joined the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and more than 3,000 New Yorkers for the United Way's LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk and Volunteer Festival. Accompanied by Commissioner Seth Diamond, the DHS team was comprised of agency staff members and approximately 40 children from City shelters who laced up their walking shoes to support a worthwhile cause. 
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Great City, Great Service
This week, DHS will join other City agencies in celebrating Customer Service Week, an annual recognition of the customer service professionals who serve the City every day. At DHS, we understand the importance of assisting clients and the general public in a respectful and timely manner– whether individuals are seeking shelter, general information, or anything in between. With the help of our own customer service staffers, we strive to maintain high levels of professionalism and responsiveness at all times. 
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East River Job Center Successfully Promotes Employment
In conjunction with the Human Resources Administration (HRA), DHS affords individuals and families employment and work supports that foster economic independence, permanent housing and self-sufficiency. This common goal manifests itself every day at HRA's East River Job Center, which serves New Yorkers in temporary, emergency shelter. 
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Policing with Compassion
Last night alone, DHS provided temporary, emergency shelter to more than 35,000 men, women and children– a population larger than many small cities across the United States. Although shelter is only a short-term solution for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, it is nevertheless a valuable resource for families and individuals with nowhere else to go. Every day, DHS strives to make shelter a safe environment for clients, where they can receive the services they need to move back to independence as quickly as possible. 
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Spurring Social Change Through Sports
On Thursday, September 16, several members of the New York Red Bulls–our City's first professional soccer team– gathered in Manhattan's Roosevelt Park with soccer ball in hand. However, for the players– John Wolyniec, Andrew Boyens, Conor Chinn and Luke Sassano– the day was all about supporting an outstanding group of fellow athletes. 
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Working Toward Independence
Last month, DHS implemented its revised Advantage program– offering the opportunity for working households in shelter to receive rental assistance as they reestablish self-sufficiency.

In line with the agency's heightened focus on employment, on August 27, DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond attended Career Day at one of the City's Homebase sites in the Bronx. Hosted by DHS' non-profit social services provider, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, the job fair aimed to assist members of the community in obtaining employment– a step that is crucial to keeping families and individuals stably housed. 
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Heading Back to School (and Toward Self-Sufficiency); City Fights Absenteeism Through New Program
For many children, the first day of the school can be a time of great excitement–an occasion marked by freshly sharpened pencils, new fall wardrobes and reconnecting with old friends. However, for the more than 240,000 children experiencing homelessness across the nation (as of 2009), this enthusiasm can unfairly be overshadowed by very adult concerns, including those about finding a home to call their own. 
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Homebase Continues to Enroll More Households
 View the chart

The Park Slope Armory: A Community Gem
With the completion of the Fourteenth Regiment Armory in 1895, the Park Slope neighborhood quickly flourished around the castle-like edifice– a building constructed to house troops of the Civil War. Today, the armory remains one of the finest, most architecturally distinguished National Guard facilities in the City and after more than 200 years of existence, is still considered a treasure to the surrounding Brooklyn community. 
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Keeping New Yorkers in the Community
With the creation of Homebase in September 2004, DHS dramatically changed the landscape of homeless services in New York City. Prior to this time, many low-income New Yorkers like Ms. S, found shelter to be the only means for coping with a housing crisis. But now, households on the brink of homelessness are faced with an entirely new reality– one complete with an extensive network of neighborhood-based services to help them remain in their communities and avoid entering shelter. 
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Averting Shelter Stays
Preventing homelessness requires intervening at different points in time during a family's housing crisis – in the community, the public assistance office, housing court and at the front door of shelter. 
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Taking Strides Against Family Homelessness
In 2009, more than 170,000 families across the country resided in shelter– a 30 percent increase from just two years before. However, as cities from coast to coast report surges in the number of households seeking services, leading communities are stepping up to respond. Through the collection of data, intensive program evaluations and the expansion of successful initiatives, the issue of family homelessness is being addressed in a dynamic and strategic way. Best of all, no municipality has been left to tackle the matter on its own, with innovative policies being widely shared and adopted nationwide. 
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Revised Advantage Program in Effect as of August 1 - Advantage is a rental subsidy that helps clients transition from temporary, emergency shelter to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible, instilling responsibility through its firm linkage to employment. Effective August 1, 2010, this new program has been revised from our previous Advantage subsidy to promote employment and foster self-sufficiency, so that households can return to independent living.
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Helping Veterans Return Home - On Thursday, November 11– the official commemoration of Veterans Day– the nation will pause to honor the military veterans who have selflessly served the United States of America.

DHS Instates Code Red Procedure for High Summer Temps - As high summer temperatures blanket the Northeast, DHS is again utilizing its Code Red procedure to protect individuals who are living unsheltered across the City.

20,000 Households Return Home More Than 200 Families Signed Leases Last Week - Over the last three years, DHS has assisted 20,000 households sign leases and return to self-sufficiency through the Advantage program, with a record-breaking 202 leases signed last week by families alone.

July 28,2010
The 411 on Advantage: Myths and Facts
In April 2007, DHS launched its Advantage rental assistance program- a City subsidy aimed to support families and individuals as they exit shelter and transition back to homes of their own. Over the course of the last three years, 20,000 households have signed leases through the program, and now the time has come to build on the success of the subsidy.

July 16,2010
A Day at Free Arts Camp
A group of 10 children sat on the grass of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, shouting out names of flowers they had just passed. For the youngsters– all between the ages of 5 and 14– the visit to the Gardens, and the neighboring Brooklyn museum was more than a summer daytrip. Instead, the excursion served as a rare, but valuable window into the world of the arts, led by Free Arts NYC.

July 16,2010
Five Myths About America's Homeless
Dennis Culhane is a professor of social policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and director of research for the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.

July 8,2010
Fewer Families in Shelter
On July 8, DHS provided temporary, emergency shelter to 8,230 families with children– equating to 25,204 adults and children receiving services from our system. As we meet the demand for shelter every night, providing temporary refuge for any New Yorker without an appropriate housing alternative, we also focus on helping clients regain independence as quickly as possible. While shelter serves as a valuable resource to those in need, it is not, and should not be considered, a home.

June 29,2010
DHS Promotes Day of Service and Volunteerism
On Tuesday, June 29, Commissioner Seth Diamond joined nearly 400 employees from Morgan Stanley– including Chief Operating Officer Tom Nides– for a day of volunteerism, service and collaboration, sponsored by Children for Children.

June 22, 2010
City Continues Commitment to Anti-Eviction Legal Services - Since first expanding its purview to homelessness prevention efforts in 2004, DHS has focused on developing alternative means of assistance for households on the brink of homelessness. On Tuesday, June 22, the agency affirmed its commitment to court-based legal services, and announced the results of an innovative pilot program aimed to help more New Yorkers remain stably housed in their communities.

Click here to read the Housing Help Program - Seedco Report (PDF)

May 24, 2010
Intrepid Welcomes DHS Clients On Board.
On Monday, May 10, the Intrepid hosted more than 150 children and veterans from eight family shelters and Borden Avenue Veterans Residence for a night of education and entertainment. Accompanied by Commissioner Diamond and Councilmember Annabel Palma, clients received personal tours of the vessel, followed a Cirque du Jour performance, which featured a clown, an acrobat and a juggler.
Guests also enjoyed dinner in the ship's mess hall, where hundreds of sailors once ate their meals. Councilmember Palma pitched in alongside DHS staff to serve clients on this special occasion.
Opening its doors as a museum in 1982, the Intrepid has become one of America's leading historic, cultural and educational institutions. Since 2003, DHS has partnered with the Intrepid to provide an array of activities and events for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Over the course of the last seven years, the Intrepid has welcomed more than 2,000 clients on board.