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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2007
Contact: Sarah Krauss
(212) 669-4193; (917) 541-0936
Release #: 059-2007
Public Advocate Gotbaum: Strong Objection to City's New Emergency Shelter Policy
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released the following letter to Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs and Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Robert Hess today, raising strong objections about the city's new policy of denying emergency shelter to families who are reapplying for shelter after being ruled ineligible.
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "You have argued that the purpose of this change is to prevent families from taking advantage of the system. In my judgment, the value of preventing such behavior, if it is in fact occurring, is far outweighed by the harm that could befall homeless families that are unfairly turned away." The complete letter is included below:
Dear Deputy Mayor Gibbs and Commissioner Hess:
I am writing to express my strong objection to the city’s new policy of denying emergency shelter to families who are reapplying for shelter after being ruled ineligible.
My office regularly advocates on behalf of homeless constituents. In our experience, the city frequently makes errors in determining eligibility. Other advocates for the homeless report the same. With this new policy, every time the city incorrectly rules a family ineligible for shelter it may be leaving that family no choice but to sleep in a park, a subway car, or a hospital waiting room. Survivors of domestic violence may return to their abusers or to places where their abusers can find them.
You have argued that the purpose of this change is to prevent families from taking advantage of the system. In my judgment, the value of preventing such behavior, if it is in fact occurring, is far outweighed by the harm that could befall homeless families that are unfairly turned away.
With the number of families seeking shelter on the rise, the city must rise to the challenge and meet its obligation to help them, not come up with justifications for denying help. I urge you to reconsider this potentially harmful policy.
Sincerely,
Betsy Gotbaum
Public Advocate for the City of New York
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