WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 19, 2007: Councilperson Rita Malmud, asked by Mayor Delfino to negotiate a removal of the 85 Court Street homeless shelter with Westchester County reports progress to WPCNR, revealing that the county is considering the shelter "temporary" -- her words. Reporting to WPCNR on the results of her meetings with the county so far, Malmud issued this statement:

Mayor Delfino and I spoke about 85 Court Street a few weeks ago when I updated him on talks with County Executive Spano.   These talks were characterized as positive and productive.  I expressed confidence that the status quo would not remain.  Although I forget the specific and exact words used, it was clearly implied that this shelter was not permanent.

Ms. Malmud was asked by WPCNR Thursday in two separate telephone calls whether a new location in White Plains was being considered, whether a location outside White Plains was being looked at, whether better monitoring of the homeless during day was being developed, or even job and employment opportunities were being developed for the 85 Court Street population, but she did not respond to those questions.

Today, WPCNR has asked her for clarification on what the terms "positive and productive" mean, and when she thought it would be resolved.

This is the first time Westchester County has stated publicly that the 85 Court Street shelter is temporary. Previously when asked to remove the shelter by Mayor Joseph Delfino,due to its proximity to the downtown, and documented related incidents,  the county has balked -- never indicating they were seeking alternate locations.

Donna Green spokesperson for the Westchester County Department of Communications, when asked if the county was viewing the 85 Court Street Shelter as "temporary" and was seeking to relocate it -- something the county has refused to do in the political standoff between the County and the City -- Green said "I have no answers for you at this time."