“We applaud Mayor de Blasio’s commitment to address the needs of the homeless, but the scale of the crisis requires a more comprehensive approach to preventing and reducing homelessness. Almost 70% of homeless New Yorkers are children and their families.Permanent housing with services for homeless and at-risk families, access to safe and appropriate shelter (and post-shelter services), and greater educational stability for children in shelter are needed.

“This year’s City budget offers an ideal opportunity to strengthen the administration’s pledge to reduce homelessness and improve child and family wellbeing. Essential steps the administration should take include: increasing housing set-asides for homeless families; making new investments in homelessness prevention and post-shelter services; and baselining and increasing resources for Bridging the Gap social workers in city public schools.”

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The Family Homelessness Coalition is:

• Advocates for Children of New York
• Barrier Free Living
• CAMBA
• Citizens’ Committee for Children
• Coalition for the Homeless
• Enterprise Community Partners
• Gateway Housing
• Henry Street Settlement
• Homeless Services United
• Monadnock Development
• New Destiny Housing Corporation
• RiseBoro Community Partnership
• Safe Horizon
• Settlement Housing Fund
• The Floating Hospital
• Women in Need