New Report Unpacks NYC’s Onerous Shelter Intake Process
New York City is required to offer a shelter bed to anyone in need—at least temporarily—thanks to a unique set of decades-old court decisions. The city’s “right to shelter” has helped keep most unhoused New Yorkers from sleeping on the streets.
But landing a secure placement is far more complicated than simply walking through the doors of an intake center, particularly for families, according to a new review by Comptroller Brad Lander. Similar to an audit, it features dense flowcharts to help visualize the complex pathways in and out of shelter.
“There was a general feeling that from the outside looking in, it’s a massive system and nobody really knows the ins and outs of who does what,” said Maura Hayes-Chaffe, deputy comptroller for audit.
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