HomeBase Expands Citywide
(Article published in HWW April 2008)
by Sara Zuiderveen, Assistant Commissioner, Prevention Services, Department of Homeless Services (DHS)
The DHS HomeBase program, which began as a pilot in 2004 in six communities, has been expanded citywide in 2008. Based on the success of the pilot, DHS committed an additional $10 million in funding to open up four new centers across the city. The citywide HomeBase network will consist of 10 service centers located in the highest need communities in all five boroughs. (See list below)
In addition to expanding the service sites, the services provided at HomeBase offices have also grown. HomeBase offices will provide a continuum of homelessness prevention services, such as benefits advocacy, mediation, employment assistance, legal referrals, and flexible financial assistance. On one end, they will continue to serve as prevention centers for walk-ins and referrals in the community. For people who apply for shelter at the PATH Center, HomeBase will offer intensified shelter diversion services at the front door. At the other end, HomeBase will provide services to families and individuals when they exit shelter to help prevent their re-entry.
Every time a participant in the Advantage housing subsidy program moves into one of their communities, the local HomeBase will be notified by DHS. The local HomeBase will reach out to the Advantage tenants through calls, mailings, and community events. Tenants will be offered workshops on EITC, transitional benefits screenings, financial literacy, and career advancement trainings. This spring with a grant from the New York Community Trust, HomeBase will offer solutions for short-term housing crises including counseling and one-time emergency grants. The Trust also has funded a public awareness campaign that will launch this summer, directing callers to 311, where they will be screened and referred to the appropriate HomeBase service provider.
Work Advantage Renewals in the Mail
Work Advantage participants are beginning to receive their renewal packets for a second year of guaranteed rental payments.
DHS will review each request, and if the participant is still working, making regular rent contributions and depositing a portion of his/her earnings into a savings account, DHS will grant a second and final year of assistance. DHS will consider special circumstances such as job loss or family or medical emergency in determining eligibility for continued benefits.
We will send confirmation of the renewal to the landlord and the tenant at least 30 days prior to expiration of the subsidy.
In the meantime, DHS and its network of community-based HomeBase aftercare programs is available to assist participants in completing their renewal request. Participants are encouraged to contact HomeBase if they need help finding a new job, budgeting their household expenses and signing up for a bank account.
If you have any questions about renewal of a Work Advantage subsidy, please contact the DHS Prevention Hotline at (212)607-6200.
BRONX
Catholic Charities Community Services
2155 Blackrock Ave.
Bronx, NY 10472
212-232-0552
Serves: Baychester, Castle Hill, Eastchester, Hunts Points, Morris Park, Parkchester, Pelham Bay, Soundview, Throgs Neck, Wakefield, Williamsbridge and Woodlawn
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
130 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10456
718-293-0727
Serves: Concourse and Highbridge
HELP USA I
775 Crotona Park North
Bronx, NY 10460
718-299-8473
Serves: Bathgate, Belmont, Crotona Park East, East Tremont, Melrose, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Port Morris and West Farms
HELP USA II
1780 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10457
718-299-8473
Serves: Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, Morris Heights, Mount Hope, Riverdale and University Heights
BROOKLYN
Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizen’s Council
299 Wyckoff Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11237
718-366-4300
Serves: Brownsville, Bushwick, Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Ocean Hill
CAMBA I
1196 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11216
718-622-7323
Serves: Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Lefferts Gardens, Prospect Heights and Wingate
CAMBA II
2211 Church Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11226
718-622-7323
Serves: Bay Ridge, Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Coney Island, Downtown Brooklyn, Flatbush, Gowanus, Gravesend, Midwood, Red Hook, Sheepshead Bay, Sunset Park, Windsor Terrace, and all of Staten Island
Partnership for the Homeless
100 Pennsylvania Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11207
718-785-0027
Serves: Canarsie, East New York, Flatlands and New Lots
MANHATTAN
Palladia
2276 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10035
917-492-1019
Serves all Manhattan communities
QUEENS
Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services
Jamaica, NY 11432
718-674-1000
Serves all Queens
