Thread by @NYHomeless, Thread A timeline of how @NYCMayor & @NYGovCuomo responded to people [...]

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A timeline of how @NYCMayor & @NYGovCuomo responded to people experiencing homelessness on the streets amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Spoiler: It’s not good.

In April, people (incl. Cuomo) began complaining about homeless NYers on subways. http://nyti.ms/31bhjVN

1/11

Cuomo Calls Subway Cars Filled With Homeless People ‘Disgusting’

The governor, referring to a newspaper image of homeless people on the subway, said it was “disgusting” and “disrespectful” to essential workers.

http://nyti.ms/31bhjVN

The Governor responded by shutting down the subways between 1 a.m. & 5 a.m., forcing homeless people to make the choice btwn crowded congregate shelters & the streets – two terrible options amidst a virus spread via contact with other people. http://bit.ly/31fK1VD

2/11

NYC Shuttles Homeless Men from Shut Subway to Packed Shelter

Amid the overnight train shutdown, caravans take men to Manhattan’s notorious 30th St. Shelter where social distancing to stop coronavirus is elusive.

http://bit.ly/31fK1VD

We pointed out tht forcing homeless ppl off the subways w/o offering a safe place to go was misguided and cruel, but @NYCMayor & @NYGovCuomo went ahead. http://bit.ly/3aFWLrk

Here is part of an email we received from a homeless NYer named Denis after the shutdown May 9th. 3/11

The City finally began to proactively relocate some adults from crowded shelters to hotel rooms as a measure of personal and public safety, but the same offers were not made to all unsheltered NYers.

4/11

Many homeless people chose, for their own safety, not to stay in the shelters.

“They’re talking about social distancing but we’re right up on top of each other every day.”

We took this video May 13th. http://bit.ly/2FF32Z5

5/11

In June & July, complaints came about the increased visibility of homeless individuals on the streets and in neighborhoods where homelessness had not been so visible before. http://nyti.ms/2YezrvT

6/11

What Happened When Homeless Men Moved Into a Liberal Neighborhood

When New York City moved shelter residents into tourist hotels on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the neighborhood’s values were tested.

http://nyti.ms/2YezrvT

With the loss of so many businesses and public facilities, homeless individuals currently have no place to go to the bathroom and are experiencing additional trauma and stigmatization. http://bit.ly/3l3X04j

7/11

No Bathroom Relief in Sight for Thousands Living on the Streets

Homeless New Yorkers report the coronavirus crisis has made it more difficult to find water and bathrooms. Meanwhile, portable toilets put out by the city were destroyed.

http://bit.ly/3l3X04j

By August, it is well established that providing space for homeless New Yorkers to physically distance is a life and death issue. http://bit.ly/mortalityratesCFH

8/11

Yet, in response to circulation of harmful stereotypes, the Mayor has recently indicated that the City will begin moving people from life-saving hotels back to unsafe congregate shelters. http://politi.co/31c9X4e

9/11

De Blasio: City to begin moving homeless people out of hotels after complaints

Thousands of people experiencing homelessness were moved into hotel rooms amid complaints that Covid-19 was spreading inside the city’s shelters.

http://politi.co/31c9X4e

For 6 months, unsheltered homeless NYers have been shuttled around at the whim of public opinion, prioritizing the “quality of life” of housed NYers over the actual lives of unhoused NYers. This doesn't address the underlying issue: People need somewhere safer to go.

10/11

Here’s what we need: Safe, single-occupancy hotel rooms for all homeless individuals, emergency rental assistance, and City and State programs to expand access to affordable & supportive housing. http://bit.ly/3aCOWmt

11/11

You can follow @NYHomeless.

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