3,000 Volunteers Needed for HOPE

Image by Ghassan Tabet via Flickr

On Monday, January 30, 2012, approximately 3,000 volunteers will fan out across the five boroughs for the eighth annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). Conducting the survey throughout the early morning hours, participants will become the eyes and ears of the City– canvassing streets, parks and other public spaces to identify individuals living unsheltered. “Through HOPE, we can effectively project service needs and allocate resources for individuals who are experiencing street homelessness,” said Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond. “In addition, the survey always proves to be a valuable opportunity for New Yorkers to get involved, while learning about the issue of homelessness and the work that DHS does 365 days a year.” Required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), street surveys similar to HOPE are conducted in municipalities across the country and are a requisite for receiving funding under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. With 1,500 survey areas covered, and the independent addition of decoys as a quality control measure, New York City’s HOPE count embodies the Bloomberg Administration’s innovative yet data-backed approach to government.
The 2011 HOPE survey estimated a total of 2,648 individuals living unsheltered throughout the City– equating to a 40 percent decrease since the first Citywide survey in 2005. The 2012 count will further indicate where resources are needed in a transparent and research-driven way, with the agency’s top priority to best serve homeless clients.
Working with non-profit providers, DHS employs a comprehensive, year-round outreach program, through which teams engage the street homeless population 24 hours per day, seven days a week, Citywide, bringing services directly to those in need. Through the creation of alternatives to traditional shelter, such as Safe Havens and stabilization beds, many individuals who had previously resided on the streets for years have recently accepted housing options and moved indoors. “With dangerous winter weather quickly approaching, we ask every New Yorker to dial 311 if they see a street homeless individual who may be in need of assistance,” said Commissioner Diamond. “The participation of ordinary New Yorkers is vital to our street outreach program, and continues to make a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.” (commissioner)