Contact: Colleen Roche/Matthew Higgins (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the appointment of Martin Oesterreich as Commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Mr. Oesterreich, the current Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), will bring 25 years of experience in New York City government to DHS.
"Marty is a true public servant who has devoted his entire career to improving the lives of his fellow New Yorkers," said Mayor Giuliani. "He recognizes the importance of work as a means of moving people from a life of dependency to one of self-sufficiency and this knowledge will prove invaluable in his new position as Commissioner. The Department of Homeless Services is committed to helping its clients realize their potential and achieve their goal of independent living -- a goal Marty has helped thousands of other New Yorkers achieve throughout his 25 years of public service."
As the first Commissioner of DYCD, Mr. Oesterreich oversaw the creation or expansion of a number of important initiatives, including Citizenship NYC, a program that helps legal permanent resident immigrants become citizens of the United States. He also oversaw the expansion of the number of Beacon schools from 39 to 79. Prior to his appointment at DYCD, Mr. Oesterreich worked for the City's Department of Employment, where he developed and managed the Dislocated Worker and Health Industry Initiatives, Private Sector Initiatives, Business Specific Training and Adult Training units programs aimed at providing unemployed New Yorkers with the tools necessary to obtain a job.
DHS was established in 1993 to implement and manage services for eligible homeless families and individuals. In conjunction with nonprofit social service providers DHS has developed a full continuum of care for the homeless consisting of: outreach and drop-in services; strengthened eligibility and new assessment procedures; transitional housing programs which provide education, vocational training, health, mental health, and substance abuse services; and permanent housing programs. DHS' Adult Services Division manages 44 adult shelters, 36 of which are operated by nonprofit organizations. The Division of Family Services manages all programs and services for eligible families in need of emergency housing.
Mr. Oesterreich earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College in 1976. A Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, he resides in Staten Island with his wife and three children.