The number of homeless sheltered by the city reached an all-time high of 39,243 last month, advocates reported yesterday.
In releasing the figures, the Coalition for the Homeless called on the administration to give priority to the homeless for federal housing programs and to expand the number of shelter beds.
“The mayor is in some kind of denial here,” charged Councilman Bill DeBlasio (D-Brooklyn), the Democratic nominee for public advocate. “I’ve never heard him or his staff acknowledge this is a time of crisis.”
Homeless Services Commissioner Robert Hess countered that the system continues to meet the overwhelming demand.
“There is no doubt times are tough here in New York and across the country, but New York City is successfully responding to those in need,” he said.