Primary Concerns of the Emergency Shelter Network
- Changes to the Respite Bed Network
- DHS proposes an increased number of respite beds but barriers to participation will actually decrease the current number of beds
- Structure of Respite Bed RFP allows for prohibitive parameters to be placed on community-based partners by the respite bed contractor
- The requirements of community-based partners to remain open are not met in the RFPs
- Changes to Drop-In Centers
- RFPs eliminate overnight services and reduce the number of drop-in centers citywide
- Individuals who would access drop-in centers at night must now be absorbed into central intake centers or sleep on the street
- Closing of 30th St. Intake Center in Manhattan
- There should be a full-service intake center in every borough
- There are no definitive plans for another Manhattan intake center
- There is no money in the Mayor’s 2009-2010 budget for another Manhattan intake center
- Vulnerable Populations
- Drop-In Centers serving specifically women, seniors and the mentally ill will be closed
- General drop-in centers will not be able to meet unique needs of these populations adequately
- Shift to a focus on chronic street homelessness
- This is not the population served by the Emergency Shelter Network
- While efforts should be made by DHS to serve this group, these efforts should not diminish the services for non-chronic street homeless individuals
- The ESN does not have the capabilities or resources to address the needs of chronic street-homeless individuals
- Final Thoughts
- Less people, not more, will be served under the new structures
- The ability of the ESN to continue participating in the shelter system is in jeopardy
