WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. Special to WPCNR. June 4, 2008: The 17-beds reserved for drop-in homeless persons not registered with the Westchester County Department of Social Services for programs has closed, according to John Rubin, Manager of the Open Arms Shelter which has provided space for 13 men to sleep on cots the last five months.

Rubin said the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services informed Grace Church Community Services it would no longer fund the operation that has housed undomiciled individuals who have not registered with the DSS.

The shut-down of the emergency beds is the consequence of the White Plains Common Council refusing to continue approving the emergency beds now that "warm weather" has set in. Rabbi Lester Bronstein and Paul Anderson-Winchell of Grace Community Services had pleaded with the Common Council to approve the 17 bed service year round last month. The Council sentiment, though never formally announced, was that they did not want to promote White Plains as a refuge for the homeless, and security issues were also given by those on the Council reluctant to extend the permission.

The county position has always been if White Plains approves of the emergency beds, the county would continue to fund them.