Some local politicians are fuming at Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s new policy solution for housing the city’s homeless. The policy would turn away applicants whom specialists determine have other housing options. The specialists are in charge of assessing whether the residences applicants reports on their intake forms are places they could turn to for shelter instead. The policy takes effect Nov. 14.
In a joint statement, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and General Welfare Committee Chair Annabel Palma said, “This policy is an irresponsible ‘no room at the inn’ approach that does nothing to address the record number of people experiencing homelessness in New York City as winter approaches. This policy is cruel, risky, unacceptable and will not reduce homelessness in the city of New York,” the statement read. The City Council’s General Welfare Committee held an emergency oversight hearing on Nov. 9 at 250 Broadway to debate the implications of the policy.