‘Stigmatizing and criminalizing homeless people is just another tool the real estate industry uses to maintain status quo and maximize their bottom lines. The stigmatization must stop — we need to end this prejudice and get honest about who is homeless and why.’
A coalition of housing and homeless advocates, along with the city’s top real estate group, are calling for the city and state to expand and improve three key rental assistance programs to aid struggling households at risk for eviction — especially before the state’s eviction moratorium expires in May.
There was more than COVID to the year of COVID: Housing construction, Industry City, access to welfare, resiliency planning, NYCHA and policing were among the big policy stories that shaped 2020 and will echo into the new year.
‘Across the city, the mayor and developers are pushing rezonings and development projects that attempt to rip out the fertile roots of people and place, to wholly redefine city neighborhoods for a wealthier and whiter population.’
According to data from the Coalition for the Homeless unveiled Wednesday, there were an estimated 21,210 single homeless men and women in the city’s homeless system in October, a record high.
Only a third of the students who reported being homeless last school year were in the formal shelter system.
‘We are not a gated community—we welcome everyone from all different backgrounds, colors and faiths. Living through the pandemic here has only underscored that reality, and it’s why I’ve been fighting to keep the un-homed residents of the Lucerne Hotel here on the Upper West Side.’
‘I know hunger is not new. But over the last six months in the New York City metro area it has become worse and there are easy ways that those of us with more than we need can move from awareness to action.’
Advocacy groups are dispensing information, answering questions and offering rides to help unhoused New Yorkers exercise their rights.
‘At current payment levels, the CityFHEPS voucher falls close to $500 below fair market rent, leaving thousands of voucher holders competing with each other for the one or two units available on the market at that price range.’
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