Care for the Homeless and New DHS Commissioner Featured at Baruch College Program

Jeff Foreman, Director of Policy
Care for the Homeless was pleased to take part in a Baruch College public education event last week. 

Bobby Watts speaks at Baruch College. Seated left to right are: 
Dr. Lance Freeman of Columbia University, Dr. John Goering of Baruch College 
and Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Gilbert Taylor.  
The program, attended by over 100, featured Care for the Homeless Executive Director Bobby Watts, new Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Gilbert Taylor and Columbia University’s Dr. Lance Freeman, a leading researcher and expert on homeless policy involving youth. Dr. John Goering of Baruch College, an expert on housing and affordable housing policy, was moderator and organizer of the event.

Watts used the opportunity to advance specific recommendations for the new administration. He cited the Care for the Homeless policy position that public policy helped to create modern day homelessness and “better policy choices can end homelessness as we know it in New York City.”

Commissioner Taylor told the audience he has spent his professional life as an advocate for children and youth, explaining “the opportunity to help children caught in homelessness is what drew me to this job.” 

Following the presentation the Commissioner graciously met with several Care for the Homeless client leaders who were at the program.

Three things that all four of the program participants agreed upon were that New York City is facing its homeless crisis without adequate federal supports, that youth homelessness is a very significant and greatly under-resourced problem in New York City and that a new rental subsidy program is absolutely needed to seriously fight homelessness.


Commissioner Taylor with Care for the Homeless Client
Leaders Ava Conner and Philip Malebranche.
Commissioner Taylor said he wasn't prepared to discuss details, but that a new rental subsidy targeted to aiding people experiencing homelessness is being developed. He promised a plan will be announced soon.  

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