March 29, 2022 For Immediate Release: March 29, 2022 Media Contact: press@cfthomeless.org Coalition for the Homeless Statement on Mayor Adams’ Plan to Open a New Safe Haven Homeless Shelter The following statement can be attributed to Jacquelyn Simone, Policy Director for the Coalition for the Homeless: “We are glad that Mayor Adams is opening new Safe Haven and stabilization beds, as homeless New Yorkers and advocates have long called for. These low-barrier beds were already in the pipeline prior to this administration, and thousands more must be brought online as quickly as possible to begin to meet the need. But we repeat that policing and sweeps are harmful, counterproductive strategies that can actually push unsheltered homeless people further away from services, and clearing encampments is in direct violation of CDC guidance. Without offering homeless New Yorkers a better place to go, these are cruel public relations tactics that do not address the real problem, nor will they reduce unsheltered homelessness on our streets and subways. Mayor Adams must immediately halt his aggressive sweeps campaign and instead focus on bringing more of these low-barrier beds online and offering them to all unsheltered New Yorkers.” ###
