WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 5, 2005. UPDATED 5:40 P.M. E.S.T.: Jennifer Schaffer, Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health told the CitizeNetReporter today that Grace Community Services has begun operating counseling services staffing the Open Arms Shelter during the day for the homeless of White Plains to spend time after they are dropped off by Westchester County. The operation of the Day Drop In Center is now available to serve the population of hardcore homeless dropped off by the County each day from the County Airport Shelter, and presumably that population planned to be housed overnight by the county beginning January 10 at 85 Court Street.

Ms. Schaffer announced to WPCNR today that the number of homeless single persons known by the county had dropped 25% since January 1, 2003, through October 31 of 2005, from 440 to 331.

.The concept of the Day Drop In Shelter was originally advanced by White Plains Mayor, Joseph Delfino, as a possible way to deal with the homeless in the street problem,  in the wake of the murder of a White Plains woman in The Galleria six months ago. A “hardcore homeless” person dropped off by the county that day in White Plains after spending the night in the County Airport Shelter is accused of the murder.

Schaffer said the program has been operating for three weeks and would be moving  a few storefronts down to 96 East Post Road when the smaller space is renovated by Grace Community Services. Schaffer added that the 96 East Post Road location does not need a special permit, but does need a building permit from the City of White Plains to renovate the full-time shelter. The money to operate the shelter $2 Million, ($400,000 a year)  is coming from SAMSHA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) and stretches for 5 years and then it is eligible to be renewed on an annual basis in 2011.

Schaffer commented that about 40 persons are taking advantage of the Open Arms Day Drop In Center,  but not all at one time. Asked if the Day Drop In Center could be a source for jobs or possible day labor source, she said "We just want to win their confidence and get them to trust us and accept our help with their addictions and problems."

Schaffer made the comments in discussing the $6 Million grant announced yesterday from the Continuum of Care Process to the Department of Mental Health and provides housing and needed support services to many homeless county residents with disabilities.

Ms Schaffer advised CNR that the $6 Million grant is used in part to continue funding apartments for homeless with disabilities who make use of county services in dealing with any addictions or receiving medical care.  Schaffer confirmed that the housing program serves over 400 homeless persons, providing them with individual apartments.

Number of homeless single persons in County Drops 25% in 2 Years.

Schaffer told WPCNR that as of  January 1, 2004 the county placed the single homeless populaton at 440 persons and as of October 31, 2005, that total had dropped 25% to 331, a drop of 109 persons.

She said that the Shelter Plus Care program refunded by the new $6 Million dollar grant houses 388 persons at the following organizations:

Pathways to Housing, which came on board with the county five years ago through the Department of Social Services currenty provides Shelter Plus Care (S+C) for 8 individuals; and will attempt to house 10 new individuals based on their  2005 application for a total of 18. Pathways has housed another 60 beds through a DSS contract. WPCNR is checking on whether this is a new contract for 2006.

Commissioner Schaffer reports that the Shelter Plus Care 2005 Application contains new funding for 29 new single individuals, 1 family, and renewal funding for 275 single persons and 8 families.

She said that the hardcore homeless who do not accept county services are not eligible for individual apartment housing that the county provides to homeless single persons and families with disabilities. She said the aim of the Day Drop In Shelter is to reach out and win the confidence of the hardcore homeless and get them help for their addictions and mental problems