New York City Seeks to Reduce Payments to Homeless Shelters

In an effort to re-start New York’s stalled effort to slash homelessness, the city is seeking state approval for a program that would reduce payments to nonprofit organizations and shelters that fail to place clients in stable housing within six months, The New York Times reports.

The new policy also includes a strict code of conduct for homeless families living in temporary shelters.

Linda I. Gibbs, deputy mayor for health and human services, said the intent is “to introduce is a greater expectation of accountability, both by the providers and by the clients themselves. We want them to overcome homelessness more quickly. We believe they are in shelter far longer than they need to be.”

Providers said the reduced payments, on top of city budget cuts, would have the opposite result, increasing clients’ shelter stays because nonprofit groups would have fewer staff members and other resources to help them find a permanent place to live.

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