Mayor: 'We Will Find a Path Off the Streets' for Every Homeless New Yorker

The Brian Lehrer Show | Dec 18, 2015

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio talked about the city's new initiative for combating homelessness -- HOME-STAT, Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement Street Action Teams -- and other NYC issues. He also fielded calls and questions from listeners.

The mayor explained how Home-Stat will work: a team of about 100 officers who are specifically trained to work with homeless people, specifically with mental health training, will be “checking the reality on the streets” every day. They will also respond (within an hour) to 311 calls and online reports relating to homeless issues.

So when should someone call 311 to report a homelessness issue? Mayor de Blasio says:

  • if there's the appearance of something becoming permanent (homeless encampments, mattresses, etc.)
  • if you're seeing or experiencing harassment of any kind
  • for any type of public disruption

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