Homelessness is a staggering reality of New York City life. Just under 60,000 people are housed in shelters and close to 40% of them are children. It seems the cards are stacked against us, being that we're the world's most expensive city.
Mayor de Blasio recognizes that the cost of living in NYC is far too high, and that's the single greatest contributing factor to homelessness-- while NYPD Commissioner Bratton thinks the best solution is to stop giving the homeless money.
Top brass is divided on the issue, and humans suffer needlessly because of it on a daily basis, sometimes mitigated by efforts to connect those in need with shelters and services.
LINC (Living in Communities) is one such subsidy program designed in September 2014 to help the needy leave shelters and settle in their own apartments. But recent data shows that 80% of rent vouchers attained by those living in shelters are going unused, so what's going on?
Two things. For one, Department of Homeless Services officials note that, "poor credit or eviction records have previously caused landlords to reject applicants."
Secondly, many landlords are unaware of, or uncooperative with, the LINC program.
Frustrated New Yorkers seeking to move on, but have yet been relegated to shelters, can't believe that between DHS efforts to familiarize the City's landlords with LINC-- plus the $1,000 bonus for landlords when they approve LINC leases --the practice is still widely unaccepted.
Recently, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office shared that, "of the 15,291 households deemed eligible for LINC, 7,482 households have obtained the LINC voucher and are currently in shelters looking for housing, while 5,231 households exited the shelter system through other programs."
Once again, it would appear the cards are stacked against New Yorkers trying to thrive, being that the homeless are not known for their stellar credit scores. Now they can't get a lease, even with LINC assistance and bonuses/protections for landlords.
cashew_tattoo #nychomeless took a picture of this homeless guy in the rain and gave him a few bucks. A couple blocks later I came across this statue on west 33rd I believe.
The latest data shows that only 3,220 vouchers have actually aided people in moving out of shelters, and that's a good thing because that's 3,220 beds open for those who need them. But it's not a high number, considering the above statistics.
While there isn't much the average New Yorker can do to help this specific issue, shelters and soup kitchens are always accepting volunteers as well as several other means of volunteering your time.
And if you're extra pressed for time but would like to help the needy somehow, consider the new Spare NYC app, which rounds your restaurant bill up to the nearest dollar and donates the proceeds to Food Bank for New York City and City Harvest.
Check out 7 Places in NYC to Give Back to Your Community This Thanksgiving.
[via DNA Info]
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]