DHS Conducts HOPE 2008

DHS held HOPE 2008 on the night of January 28.  The annual survey counts the number of unsheltered people living on New York City's streets, parks and subways.  DHS uses the information gathered during HOPE to evaluate how its efforts are doing to reduce street homelessness by two-thirds by the end of 2009, and to develop new programs.  This was the sixth year for the HOPE count, the fourth that it was conducted citywide.

More than 2,500 volunteers signed up for HOPE 2008.  They took to the streets at midnight in groups of three to five, with each group covering several areas of a few square blocks, or surveying subway stations.  More than 1,200 survey areas were covered, with the volunteers walking an average of more than five and a half miles, covering more than 2,000 miles of streets, parks and subways.  The volunteers asked every person they encountered whether they had a place to stay for the night, and what kind of place it was (their own apartment, a friend's home, a park, etc.).  The exact location of anyone who was found to be unsheltered and homeless was noted, along with the time.  Every unsheltered homeless person was offered the opportunity to enter shelter immediately.

The results of HOPE 2008 will be released in the spring.  The HOPE 2007 count found a 15% drop in the number of unsheltered homeless people from 2005—the first year the count was held in all five boroughs.

To read Commissioner Hess' thank you note to volunteers click here