Nearly 100 to be placed in supportive housing 
NYC offers Safe Haven housing alternative for the first time

Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Robert V. Hess kicked off the Second Annual Project Homeless Connect (PHC).  Project Homeless Connect was a one day event sponsored by the DHS in collaboration with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The event provided opportunities for individuals who live on the street and drop-in centers to connect to services, resources and housing placement options in a comfortable and informal environment and under one roof. Approximately 200 homeless New Yorkers accessed services that included housing options such as supportive housing, Section 8 vouchers with mental health case management services, stabilization and crisis beds and program shelters. The services offered included medical and dental care along with legal services provided by the Urban Justice Center, advocacy, help with entitlements and public benefits. Clients were treated to free haircuts by Vidal Sassoon hair stylists plus clothing, raffles, prizes, food and music in a convenient one stop model for people experiencing homelessness. Close to One hundred people were expected to be placed into supportive housing through this initiative.

“We will house nearly 100 people who would otherwise be sleeping on the street, instead these New Yorkers will be sleeping in their beds tonight,” said DHS Commissioner Hess. “This initiative can help New York City achieve its goal of reducing street homelessness as set forth by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his five year plan.”

Clients were also given access to a new housing option – New York City’s first “Safe Haven,” implemented through the generous support of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. The Safe Haven is a new housing model that is a part of the City’s Streets to Home initiative to move two-thirds of the street homeless into homes. This new housing model is aimed at reducing barriers to temporary housing by allowing clients to come as they are without the obligation of entering into other supportive and rehabilitative services. The Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC) is overseeing the program which is the first of several expected to open over the next year. “Everyday at BRC, someone who was once homeless moves home.  Every eight minutes of everyday, a BRC outreach worker is offering hope and opportunity to a homeless person,” said BRC Executive Director Muzzy Rosenblatt. DHS’s first Safe Haven will do just that: provide hope and opportunity for chronically homeless New Yorkers.” 

Also joining Commissioner Hess was Rosanne Haggerty, founder and president of Common Ground and George T. McDonald, founder and president of The Doe Fund, Inc. The Doe Fund’s Harlem facility hosted this event. “I hope that in hosting this event at our Harlem residence, homeless people can see that our facilities are not only aesthetically beautiful and functional,” said Mr. McDonald, “but represent true centers for opportunity where participants receive comprehensive social services, participate in educational and vocational training, eat delicious and healthy meals and most importantly, get paid to work.”

"Last year, Common Ground provided housing to more than 120 chronically homeless individuals, most of whom had lived for many years on the street and are now successful tenants,” Said Ms. Haggerty. “Stable housing and support enables people to transform their
lives.   We are proud to join with the City of New York and the larger
Community in this effort to house those who have been on the streets the longest--this is how we will end homelessness."

PHC can help New York City achieve the goal set forth in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s five year plan to reduce homelessness in New York City by two-thirds by 2009, Uniting for Solutions Beyond Shelter. Those experiencing homelessness can be moved more quickly toward housing and stability through initiatives such as PHC. New York City’s Second Annual Project Homeless Connect ties in with the National Interagency Council on Homelessness’ Project Homeless Connect Week December 4 - 8. More than 35 cities have replicated this model since it began in San Francisco two years ago.

DHS would like to thank the following companies and individuals for their generous support and donations: Vidal Sassoon, The Urban Justice Center, NYC Clothing Bank, Starbucks, Dr. Jeffrey R. Shapiro, Dr. and Mrs. L Hochman, Valerie Ahms, Catherine Senenko, Danielle DiSalvo, Mr. and Mrs. D. Minelli, Mr. and Mrs. L. Leo, Dr. Laura Spano, Mr. and Mrs. G. Befanis, Ernie and Mrs. Codden’s 6th grade class at St. Brigid’s, Watervliet, NY. Entertainment provided by VOA Ward’s Island Theatre Arts Work Shop.