The Council of the City of New York commends the organizations
that provide health care to homeless individuals and families
citywide in commemoration of National Health Care for the Homeless
Week in the City of New York from March 21-26, 2005; and
WHEREAS: There are approximately 36,000 persons living in homeless
shelters in New York City and thousands more living on the streets
citywide; and
WHEREAS: Homeless persons experience physical and mental health
problems at a higher rate than the general population, and often
develop additional health problems from not having a home; and
WHEREAS: Many homeless persons do not have access to health care
and may experience health problems that are not properly treated
or rely on emergency room services rather than preventive health
resources; and
WHEREAS: Since 1985, the Federal government has helped fund locally-administered
projects known as Health Care for the Homeless projects that provide
health care services to homeless individuals that meet their needs;
and
WHEREAS: There are currently 172 Health Care for the Homeless
Projects that served 588,444 persons nationwide in 2003, including
nine groups in New York City; and
WHEREAS: Health Care for the Homeless projects in New York City
have formed a coalition known as the New York City Providers of
Health Care for the Homeless, which provides health services and
links to social services in all five boroughs to more than 30,000
homeless New York City residents and delivers health care services
at more than 120 clinics located in shelters, drop-in centers,
soup kitchens, Single Room Occupancy units and in medical mobile
units; and
WHEREAS: This coalition is also part of the National Health Care
for the Homeless Council, a national research and advocacy membership
organization that has declared March 21 through March 26 as National
Health Care for the Homeless Week 2005; and
WHEREAS: The theme for the 2005 National Health Care for the
Homeless Week is "saving lives, building community,”
and the goals of the week are to build support for local projects
that provide health care for the homeless, enhance public knowledge
about the critical link etween health and homelessness, and strengthen
the will of our communities to resolve homelessness and reform
the health care system; and
WHEREAS: Increased awareness about current health care initiatives
for homeless persons can help homeless individuals and families
access the services they need and improve their health and stability;
and
WHEREAS: Recognizing National Care for the Homeless Week can
help communities acknowledge the connection between health and
homelessness and mobilize to achieve increased access to health
care and an end to homelessness; now, therefore
BE IT KNOWN: That the Council of the City of New York commends
the organizations that provide health care to homeless individuals
and families citywide in commemoration of National HEALTH CARE
FOR THE HOMELESS WEEK in the City of New York from March 21-26,
2005.
Signed this 21st day of March in the year Two
Thousand and Five.
____________________________________
BILL de BLASIO
Council Member, 39th District
Brooklyn
