Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait 212-788-2958
At the Administration's request, the bill, which will be submitted to Council by week's end, will keep the City's EAU open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bill also provides a grandfather clause that in the event the City closes one of its shelters, it can construct replacement shelters to accommodate more than 200 beds. In addition, the Council has agreed to make the Department of Homeless Services an independent agency separate and apart from the Human Resources Administration (HRA).
The bill corrects problems in the existing law and ends an impasse on how to provide the best service to homeless New Yorkers seeking shelter. In conjunction with this agreement, the eviction order previously issued to tenants at 250 Baltic Street in Brooklyn has been rescinded. The City has agreed to drop its proposal for a new homeless shelter at this location.
"These changes give the Department of Homeless Services more flexibility in managing homeless shelters in New York City," said Deputy Mayor Lhota. "The original bill tied the City's hands with onerous provisions. Now, most importantly, we will see children and families taken to appropriate temporary shelters instead of sleeping on floors of the Emergency Assistance Unit.
"In addition, this agreement lifts many limitations and provides the needed flexibility in the number of beds allowed at each facility. I want to commend the City Council for working with this Administration to make these much needed changes to the bill."