Homeless in Transit Facilities: Where Do We Go From Nowhere? (From Police and the Homeless: Creating a Partnership Between Law Enforcement and Social Service Agencies in the Development of Effective Policies and Programs, P 168-180, 1997, Martin L. Forst, ed. - See NCJ-167769)

• NCJ Number: 167779
• Author(s): R Schwartz
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter examines programs designed to serve the homeless in and around the New York Port Authority multi-modal transportation facility and other transit systems in New York City and elsewhere.

Abstract

The New York port authority spends approximately $3,000,000 of its annual operating revenue to fund eight outreach teams in an effort to create a more attractive atmosphere for customers while offering alternatives to homelessness in a humane and dignified manner. Port authority police receive training in working with social service agencies and in dealing with health-related issues, as well as counseling to help them deal with the emotional impact and frustration created by constant contact with multi-problemed people. The chapter briefly examines programs in other cities, including a three-city demonstration project funded by the United States Department of Transportation under the aegis of the Federal Interagency Council on the Homeless. Federal funding has ended for some projects, and some cities have terminated their programs. However, other cities have been able to continue programs using local resources for funding and have been able to improve the quality of services to the homeless and reduce the number of homeless people residing in targeted transit settings and surrounding street locations. Notes