FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

July 18, 2017

Contact: Arianna Fishman (fishmana@hra.nyc.gov, o: 929-221-5249 c: 646-629-4723)

MEDIA ADVISORY: TODAY: DSS COMMISSIONER BANKS AND BREAKING GROUND DEPUTY VICE PRESIDENT AMIE POSPISIL TOUR RECENLY-OPENED DROP-IN CENTER ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN QUEENS AND DISCUSS CITYWIDE STREET OUTREACH INITIATIVES

NEW YORK—Today at 1:30pm, Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks and Breaking Ground Deputy Vice President Amie Pospisil will lead a tour of the recently-opened drop-in center on Atlantic Avenue in Queens, where they will discuss citywide street outreach initiatives, as well as how facilities like the drop-in center on Atlantic are crucial components of our ongoing effort to help street homeless New Yorkers transition indoors. Drop-in centers like Atlantic provide baseline resources, such as showers, meals, clothing, and onsite case management services, with the goal of meeting immediate needs for street homeless individuals. At these locations, clients can also access an emergency overnight option or a referral to a respite bed at local houses of worship.

Commissioner Banks and Breaking Ground Vice President Amie Pospisil, as well as outreach staff from both DHS and Breaking Ground, will discuss the importance of collaboration between DHS and not-for-profit service providers like Breaking Ground in addressing the citywide challenge of street homelessness—as well as the importance of targeted facilities like these in our efforts to turn the tide.

Drop-in centers and safe havens are transitional housing options geared toward homeless individuals who may be resistant to accepting other services, including traditional shelter. These low-barrier programs are equipped with on-site services and outreach staff who work closely with clients to deepen relationships and build trust, so that they can stabilize their lives and ultimately transition further off the streets and into permanent housing. These facilities are often the first step towards bringing street homeless New Yorkers indoors. In addition to redoubling and enhancing proactive street outreach efforts, DHS has opened or is opening more low-threshold facilities dedicated to serving street homeless New Yorkers, including this Atlantic Avenue site, with 350 safe haven beds brought online since December 2015 and another approximately 360 coming online by January 2018.

Media interested in attending should RSVP with Arianna Fishman at fishmana@hra.nyc.gov.