HOME-STAT initiative continues to help people find shelter

The citywide Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement Street Action Teams initiative has helped take thousands of homeless people off the streets.
Wai Lin is just one Brooklyn resident who has found assistance from the HOME-STAT program. The 42-year-old was living on the streets after he lost his job eight months ago.
"Sometimes you get a job, and you’re working, sometimes it's not available," Lin said. "Some days are just miserable.”
Lin decided to approach a homeless outreach team on Coney Island. After the team learned about him, they took him to a drop-in center to get shelter.
"We everyday are on the street looking for people who don't have places to live," said team leader Casey Burke.
Lin said his dream is to become a sushi chef, and he plans on continuing to work with his current team to try and find permanent housing.
The HOME-STAT initiative also provides services to make sure individuals who receive placements get the resources and support they need to get their lives back in the right direction.