Bronx is home to city's homeless

By Erin Arnold
Staff reporter

The number of homeless people in New York City is on the rise. The economic boom of the late 1990’s caused prices to soar and many families weren’t able to keep up with rising rent payments. Then came September 11 and the economic downturn, which caused many to lose their jobs. The result? A rising homeless population the likes of which the city hasn’t seen since the late 1980’s.

Under the current homeless system, all individuals and families applying for temporary housing must first be processed by the Emergency Assistance Unit (EAU) set up in the Bronx. From there they are placed in temporary and overnight facilities with the hopes that they will soon find permanent housing and/or jobs. With growing numbers of individuals and families streaming in from all over the city, the EAU is struggling to keep up with demand. As a result, many homeless individuals have been sleeping on the floor of the EAU because they have nowhere else to go.

Mayor Bloomberg and his administration are expecting the homeless population to continue growing during the summer months as well and they proposed housing excess families and individuals in the Bronx House of Detention. And while his intentions are good – getting homeless people off of the floors and into an established facility - some are questioning what kind of a message that sends to the public.

In mid-May, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion held a press conference with Picture the Homeless, Community Board #4 and other community and homeless advocates protesting Mayor Bloomberg’s plan.

Mr. Carrion is concerned that parents, children, and the general public will be outraged at the thought of homeless families living in a detention center. He asserts that there are other options that should be pursued. For example, he thinks that opening an EAU in each borough would be more convenient to families and would better serve the homeless population. “The Bronx shouldn’t have to carry the burdon of the city’s homeless problem,” Mr. Carrion said in a recent town hall meeting with community board 4.

By establishing an EAU in each borough, children would be allowed to remain in their home schools. “Right now [School] District 7 has far too many temporary students enrolled in the school. Each time a new child moves in, they have to register in one of the schools, but they only stay for a few days,” said Mr. Carrion. He argues that by making the city’s homeless filter through the Bronx EAU, they are robbed of the support networks of their own neighborhoods.

Mr. Carrion and his fellow protestors hope to see a better temporary solution to this problem. They are willing to work with the city to come up with the best possible plan. In his statement to the public he said: “I’m pleased that the Mayor is aware of the increase in homelessness and is planning additional supportive housing units. Further, I appreciate the invitation I received from Commissioner Linda Gibb this morning to work out a solution with me and other elected officials.”

As it stands now, according to public record, the City of New York allocates more public funding directly to homeless services than any other city in the United States - $530 million dollars. In addition, the staff is committed not just to finding homes and jobs for the thousands of homeless people in the system, but to working out any problems or barriers that might prevent a person from finding a stable home. This includes tackling substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and lack of job skills. More than 5,000 families are in the shelter system right now and that includes over 10,000 children. Currently, there are 4 overnight facilities, 65 conditional placement facilities, and 4 transitional facilities serving the city’s homeless population.

The Department of Homeless Services operates emergency shelters for homeless New Yorkers and assists in the search for permanent housing. Call the main office for information on shelters and referral services during regular business hours. After business hours, call or go to the Emergency Assistance Unit.

Emergency Assistance Unit; operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 151 East 151st Street. Bronx, New Tork (800) 944-6494 hotline