March 13, 2022 For Immediate Release – March 13, 2022 Media Contact: press@cfthomeless.org Coalition for the Homeless Statement on Senseless Shootings of Homeless New Yorkers The following statement can be attributed to Jacquelyn Simone, Policy Director for the Coalition for the Homeless: “How many examples like this do we need to see before the City starts valuing the lives of homeless New Yorkers as much as the lives of those lucky enough to have homes? Despite the headlines, homeless New Yorkers are far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators. Instead of feeding into the dangerous narrative of homelessness as a blight — a quality of life issue for housed New Yorkers — Mayor Adams needs to recognize that his policies are placing them in harm’s way. “Saturday’s tragedy is an urgent reminder that many unsheltered New Yorkers choose to bed down in the subways because that is where they feel the most safe in the absence of housing and low-barrier shelters. Instead of subway sweeps, the City and State must immediately open the promised housing and Safe Haven beds so that unsheltered New Yorkers have a safer place to stay inside.” ###
