MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

January 22, 2018

Contact: Isaac McGinn (mcginni@hra.nyc.gov, o: 929-221-5564 c: 646-946-9667)

TONIGHT: THOUSANDS OF NEW YORKERS TAKE PART IN CITYWIDE EFFORT TO SURVEY CITY’S UNSHELTERED POPULATION

NEW YORK—Tonight, the de Blasio Administration will kick off the Department of Homeless Services’ annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), in which thousands of volunteers across the five boroughs assist the Agency and community partners in estimating the number of unsheltered individuals on the streets, in parks, subways, and other public spaces across the city. The annual point-in-time HOPE survey, mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will take place from 10 PM until 4 AM.

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio, Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks, Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter, and elected officials will deliver remarks welcoming volunteers and then lead media on a demonstration of the canvassing efforts that occur during HOPE. Media interested in attending must RSVP. Additionally, members of the media may remain at the staging location to observe the remainder of the training, including volunteers leaving to start the HOPE survey.

In order to protect the privacy of homeless individuals on our streets and ensure a more accurate count, there will be no media tours during the actual count between 12 AM and 4 AM. Members of the media interested in participating in the count must volunteer for the entire four-hour count. Cameras are not allowed to accompany volunteers.

Having an accurate estimate of unsheltered New Yorkers is crucial to combatting homelessness. On the night of HOPE, thousands of volunteers canvass the five boroughs and collect vital data which will assist the City’s HOME-STAT outreach teams in their 24/7/365 efforts to reach, engage, and encourage more individuals to transition off the streets to a more safe, stable environment. As of today, a record-breaking 4,110 individuals have volunteered to participate.

Media interested in attending must RSVP with Isaac McGinn (mcginni@hra.nyc.gov).