In this fourth decade of America's homelessness crisis, it is clear that the status quo is unacceptable. Meaningful progress toward ending homelessness requires bold new policies that prioritize rights- and evidence-based housing interventions over more costly, temporary solutions.
New York’s experience is a cautionary tale — not a happy ending.
In a recent piece on Ozy.com, GC2EH Co-Lead Dr. Deborah Padgett presents an argument for why California should not adopt New York City's controversial "Right to Shelter" law if it hopes to turn the tide on the state's ongoing homelessness crisis.
Doing nothing isn’t just inhumane — it’s expensive. Repeated visits to hospitals, jails and shelters are far costlier than rental subsidies or supportive housing with needed services. One New York City shelter bed costs $117 daily for a single adult and $171 for a family — that’s $42,705 and $62,415 annually — according to the DHS. Meanwhile, the median monthly rent of a New York apartment is $2,980 — which costs $7,000 less annually than one shelter bed.
Read the full essay here:
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