Supporting the homeless population in NYC is a complex issue rooted in factors like the lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance use, unemployment, and poor health conditions. Following the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, New York City (NYC) has grappled with a significant number of individuals and families seeking shelter. The late 1970s and Callahan v. Carey in 1981 paved the way for “The Right to Shelter,” yet stable and affordable housing support remains elusive.
Those experiencing homelessness often grapple with mental illness, substance use, chronic medical conditions, and higher mortality rates – four times the general adult shelter population and ten times for those living on the streets. They often face challenges navigating the health and mental health systems, resulting in a reliance on emergency department visits or inpatient hospitalizations. Limited access to healthcare results in dependence on emergency services, straining the healthcare system.
In 2019, NYC had 3,588 unsheltered individuals, with 2,178 in the MTA transit system, emphasizing the need to provide connections to housing services and support, benefiting both homeless individuals and the MTA’s 8 million daily riders. Unsheltered individuals using the train stations as dwelling places face challenges accessing shelter services. How many have been engaged in shelter services with no success is unclear. Furthermore, their chronic illnesses often go unaddressed, reflecting the broader societal struggle to support the homeless population.
Implemented in April 2022, Safe Options Support (SOS) is a joint effort between Coordinated Behavioral Care (CBC), the New York State Office of Mental Health, and well-known not-for-profit organizations that provide services to people experiencing homelessness. CBC is the SOS Hub, managing SOS referrals, quality, data and reporting, training, and the learning community. The 14 SOS teams, operating seven days a week by agencies within the CBC Independent Practice Association (IPA) network, including ACMH, Argus, Bronx Works, Services for the Underserved, Federation of Organizations, and The Bridge, provide direct care. Eleven teams cover daytime hours from 7 am to 9 pm, and three overnight teams cover the hours. The SOS programs cover outreach in New York City and are expanding to NYS Regions, such as Westchester County.