Cuomo, mayor target homelessness as temps fall

An executive order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and an announcement from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio are targeting the homeless problem in the city and state. On Sunday, Cuomo signed the executive order

News 12 Staff

Jan 5, 2016, 4:58 AM

Updated 3,040 days ago

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Cuomo, mayor target homelessness as temps fall
An executive order by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and an announcement from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio are targeting the homeless problem in the city and state.
On Sunday, Cuomo signed the executive order calling for police and social services to move people into shelters during freezing weather - even those who may not want to go.
The president of the Coalition for the Homeless says there are concerns regarding Cuomo's order, as being homeless is not a crime and people should not be forcibly moved against their will.
Mayor de Blasio on Monday made an announcement of his own, saying that he will phase out and permanently end the use of clusters as homeless shelters in the city within the next three years. In total, he says there are about 260 cluster buildings and about 3,000 units which will be converted back to low-rent housing. A new homeless model will be created that merges affordable permanent housing, flexible shelter space and community space.
The mayor also objected to Cuomo's executive order, saying that it will not improve the issue of homelessness in the city.
The executive order goes into effect Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to dip well below freezing.


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