File #: Res 0747-2003    Version: * Name: Planning, procedures and practices of the Department of Homeless Services in siting homeless shelters in NYC.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on General Welfare
On agenda: 3/12/2003
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the New York City Council to hold an oversight hearing on the planning, procedures and practices of the Department of Homeless Services in siting homeless shelters in New York City.
Sponsors: Erik Martin Dilan, Maria Baez, Yvette D. Clarke, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., James E. Davis, Simcha Felder, Lewis A. Fidler, Alan J. Gerson, Robert Jackson, Melinda R. Katz, Hiram Monserrate, Diana Reyna, James Sanders, Jr., Kendall Stewart, Albert Vann, Miguel Martinez, Charles Barron
Council Member Sponsors: 17
Attachments: 1. Hearing Transcript, 2. Committee Report, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 5/14
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
5/14/2003*Erik Martin Dilan City Council Filed by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
5/5/2003*Erik Martin Dilan Committee on General Welfare Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/5/2003*Erik Martin Dilan Committee on General Welfare Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
3/12/2003*Erik Martin Dilan City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
3/12/2003*Erik Martin Dilan City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 747 By Council Members Dilan, Baez, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, Felder, Fidler, Gerson, Jackson, Katz, Monserrate, Reyna, Sanders, Stewart, Vann, Martinez and Barron Title Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the New York City Council to hold an oversight hearing on the planning, procedures and practices of the Department of Homeless Services in siting homeless shelters in New York City. Body Whereas, New York City is realizing record high rates of homelessness, with more than 38,400 individuals staying in New York City homeless shelters in January of 2003, an increase of 24 percent from January 2002; and Whereas, This represents the largest recorded shelter population in New York City history and the largest one-year increase in homelessness since the Great Depression; and Whereas, Given the rising rates of homelessness and the city's obligation to provide emergency shelter to homeless individuals and families, it is necessary for the Department of Homeless Services to ensure that the current homeless shelter system has the capacity to meet the needs of all homeless families and individuals; and Whereas, The New York City Charter calls for the "fair distribution among communities of the burdens and benefits associated with city facilities;" and Whereas, The Department of Homeless Services is required to submit a Five-Year Plan to Relieve Homelessness to the speaker of the city council that includes the projected number of facilities to be constructed or rehabilitated to accommodate homeless individuals and families; and Whereas, Neighborhoods throughout New York City ought to share in the responsibility of accommodating homeless shelters within their communities so that all homeless parents and their children have a place to sleep; and Whereas, It is a concern that some neighborhoods in New York City contain a disproportionate number of homeless shelters; and Whereas, A particularly high number of homeless shelters within one community may do a disservice to that community and may result in unfair distribution of homeless shelters in New York City; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the appropriate committee of the New York City Council to hold an oversight hearing on the planning, procedures and practices of the Department of Homeless Services in siting homeless shelters in New York City. LS# 2134 CM |1013|