Department of Homeless Services Homebase and LINC Program

Dear Landlords, Real Estate Agents and Brokers:

I would like to formally invite you and your staff to Borough Hall on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 for a presentation from Commissioner Gilbert Taylor of the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) on the work he and his team are undertaking to combat a continued crisis in New York City: Homelessness.

According to DHS, through December 29, 2014, nearly 60,000 homeless people were living in the shelter system in New York City. This represents an increase of roughly 10 percent in the shelter population compared to the same time period in 2013. Brooklyn is home to the second most number of homeless shelters across the City.

The only sustainable way to reverse these numbers is to help transition individuals and families out of the shelter system into more permanent housing and to prevent those on the cusp of losing shelter from becoming homeless themselves. Thankfully, Mayor De Blasio has committed to reforming the way DHS addresses New York City’s homeless crisis.

Commissioner Taylor will be making a presentation on the reforms made to DHS’ Homebase program as well as the Department’s New Living in Communities (LINC) program. Homebase is the cornerstone homeless prevention program in New York City, providing resources to families before they are forced onto the streets, which can result in positive outcomes for families, communities and taxpayers. Unfortunately, few people are aware of the assistance available to help keep them in their homes, and more must be done to advertise the benefits this program provides. Similarly, the LINC program, which helps transition individuals and families out of the shelter system and into permanent housing, must be better publicized among landlords to ensure their participation.
I hope you or your staff can attend Commissioner Taylor’s presentation so we can work together to combat homelessness in Brooklyn and across New York City. If you have any questions in advance of the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Tonya Hill, Acting Director of my Constituent Assistance Center at (718) 802-3869 or thill@brooklynbp.nyc.gov.
Sincerely,
Eric L. Adams

ELA/rl