New Rochelle Sees Progress In Homeless Initiatives

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Although the New Rochelle homelessness prevention initiative is just a few months old, officials with HOPE Community Services already are seeing significant progess in finding permanent housing for those in need.

HOPE Community Services is helping clear New Rochelle's streets of the homeless.
Photo Credit: *File*

Zak Failla

02/25/2015 6:00 a.m.

Dating back to the end of last year, city officials have been making a push to eliminate visible homelessness and panhandling in downtown New Rochelle and to instead find permanent housing for the disenfranchised.

In November, Montefiore donated $25,000 to help kickstart a program that helps house the homeless on a full-time basis. With that money, officials paid for a 24-hour Homeless Resource Center that is open seven days per week. Additionally, they hired a housing counselor who operates a navigation system designed to find permanent housing in Westchester County.

According to New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, in the one quarter since that program began, of the 56 long-term homeless residents linked to it, 23 – including four veterans – have been relocated and settled into permanent housing throughout Westchester.

“The program is only a few months old, but we’re already seeing significant progress. This really encouraging start is a credit to HOPE’s dedication and professionalism,’ he said. “Our goals (are) two-fold: to connect homeless residents to permanent housing opportunities and other essential services so that they are better able to lead stable rewarding and productive lives; and to improve our local business climate by reducing the level of visible homelessness in commercial areas and public spaces.”

Last month, in an effort to curb panhandling, the City Council approved legislation that makes it illegal to touch a solicited person without consent, to pester someone entering a commercial establishment, block the path of someone with the intent of requesting money, follow someone who refuses to offer up a donation or to panhandle in a group of two or more.

Violators will be punished by a fine no more than $250 or by imprisonment for no more than 15 days.

“Giving money to aggressive panhandlers is almost always the least effective way to provide assistance,” Bramson said. “It is much better to support programs that provide access to permanent housing and other vital social services.”

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