NYC housing focus needs to help homeless, too, advocates say
The homeless should have a bigger place in New York City’s ambitious affordable housing push, advocates said Tuesday, arguing that two issues often viewed separately need to be tackled in tandem.
Housing costs have hit a breaking point for a growing number of New Yorkers while homelessness has reached levels not seen in decades. The city and state have made some strides, but advocates and some politicians want government to set aside more apartments for homeless people, boost rent subsidies and convert some apartments being used as homeless shelters into permanent housing.
“The best way to deal with homelessness is to provide someone with a home,” Public Advocate Letitia James said.