HOPE – Homeless Outreach Population Estimate

On January 27, 2014, the Department of Homeless Services will conduct its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). It is a unique opportunity to volunteer and participate in an extraordinary citywide effort.

Homeless Services needs approximately 3,000 volunteers to help survey the number of homeless individuals living on city streets, parks, and in other public spaces in New York City.

The participation of our fellow city colleagues is critical. I encourage those who have volunteered before to sign up again, and for first-time volunteers to experience how truly gratifying a night of HOPE can be. Employees interested in volunteering should visit www.nyc.gov/dhs or CityShare to register. Volunteers assist from approximately 10:30 pm to 4:00 am performing HOPE to help the City best project service needs and allocate resources for the street homeless population.

Currently, 1 in 2,662 New Yorkers is street homeless, in a City with a population of more than 8 million. New York City’s street outreach operation has moved more than 4,000 chronically homeless individuals from the streets into housing since the program’s inception in 2007. With 24/7 outreach teams mobilized in all five boroughs, specialized housing set aside for the street homeless and targeted funding to ensure that adequate resources reach the individuals most in need, New York City is the national leader in investment in persons living on the street.

We hope you will consider dedicating your time to helping your fellow Agency, Homeless Services. Please feel free to contact our HOPE team with any questions at hope@dhs.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Michele Ovesey
Department of Homeless Services

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