WPCNR'S THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. February 9, 2007: Chair of the County Board of Legislators White Plains' William Ryan (District 5), reacting to the County Executive Andy Spano's scrapping the plan to build a new facility for the hardcore homeless at the Westchester County Police Headquarter in face of angry opposition,  told WPCNR Thursday he would move to involve county Mayors, Supervisors and leaders of the Westchester towns, villages and cities in "substantial discussion" of  "equitable distribution around the county of those who choose to live on the streets and not take advantage of Department of Social Services programs."

Ryan Calls on Municipal leaders to Address  the Hardcore Homeless Distribution Problem. Would Work with Mayor Delfino towards a leaders summit on equitable housing and distribution of the street people. Photo, WPCNR  News ARCHIVE

He said it was his intention to make the hardcore homes "a major topic" at the next meeting of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association, which convenes the chief executives of county towns and cities to deal with major issues. 

"It's time to look at Westchester in its entirety as to how to serve the homeless street people in Westchester," Ryan said.

Asked if he would reach out to Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, who has for the last year advocated for such a countywide discussion, Ryan said he would be willing to team with the Mayor in presenting the situation to county leaders. 

Ryan said, (noting recent rhetoric over housing hardcore street people) suggested leaders needed to "relax, take a deep breath, stop thinking politically and bring to the table a reasonable understanding of what the (hardcore homeless) situation is."

Wednesday evening, Mayor Delfino, told WPCNR that since White Plains had the 85 Court Street shelter and was seeking to have it removed, and that he had taken the stance that all the homeless there would be returned to White Plains anyway even it the shelter had been moved, he was in an awkward position asking other municipalities to take the homeless.  He said he advocated a county wide discussion among leaders on devising a system where homeless persons from individual communities were cared for by those communities.

Ryan said some certain communities housed more than their fair share of the homeless, naming White Plains as one of them. He said the County Department of Social Services and the county's community leaders needed to address the distribution problem as a team: "It's needed now. It has to happen."

Asked why County Executive Andy Spano had backed off the Police Headquarters placement of the new "hardcore homeless shelter," Ryan said the County Executive was committed to closing the 85 Court Street shelter: "He made the decision to close 85 Court Street. A mistake was made.  Mount Pleasant threatened to sue. He probably consulted with the county attorney, and decided they would lose the suit based on the agreement." Ryan suggested other locations are being considered.