Month: August 2015

Mayor de Blasio yesterday announced an emergency $10 million initiative that will provide rental assistance to adults who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Modeled after a rental assistance program instated for families with children this spring, the Special Exit and Prevention Supplement (SEPS) will provide rental assistance for up to 1,000 New Yorkers seeking permanent housing. According to the mayor’s office, the goal is to help hundreds of adults recently displaced from decrepit, dangerous, and often illegally subdivided three-quarter houses, as well as survivors of domestic violence, tenants on the brink of foreclosure, homeless veterans and recovering addicts.

With few beds available in New York City’s homeless shelters, Mayor Bill de Blasio has authorized another emergency measure to provide rental assistance to people facing homelessness.

The $10 million initiative is expected to provide aid to as many as 1,000 adults and is modeled on an emergency measure in May to assist families with children, who have been the focus of the administration’s recent efforts to reduce homelessness.

With the start of the school year around the corner, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz encourages members of the public to donate backpacks and school supplies to homeless children as part of “Project: Back to School,” an annual initiative organized by the Coalition for the Homeless.

“About 87,000 New York City schoolkids live in homeless shelters or temporary housing, and not a single school district is spared from this epidemic,” said Borough President KATZ. “Every child deserves a strong start to the school year with proper supplies just like their fellow peer. We urge Queens residents to donate generously toward this drive, and encourage all residents to take advantage of various complimentary back-to-school giveaways throughout the borough in the coming weeks.”