
The Catholic Church will open 150 beds to homeless New Yorkers who live on the streets by the winter.
The partnership between the city and Archdiocese of New York, announced by Mayor de Blasio and Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Wednesday, will help those who don’t want to live in homeless shelters. They’ll get a chance to stay in small groups, between 10 and 19 people, in unused or community space.
“The more that we show people that have been resistant to receiving help that they can receive help in a positive and respectful manner, the more people come in and the fewer people will be on the streets,” de Blasio said.
These types of shelters, known as “safe havens,” are usually run by nonprofits and have fewer restrictions compared to regular shelters. Currently 672 “safe haven” beds are available.
“There’s nothing we’re more natural and good about doing than in feeding the hungry and helping the poor and sheltering the homeless,” Cardinal Dolan said.
The partnership is part of a broader initiative called Opening Doors that will provide 500 beds at different religious organizations across the city.
At least 3,000 New Yorkers live on the streets, according to the city. The Mayor has been criticized over an increase in street homelessness in the city this summer.
The city says the majority of homeless New Yorkers — currently 57,209 currently — live in the city’s shelters.