Shelter From The Storm: Good News For Taxpayers and Long Island’s Homeless.

With starter homes averaging close to half a million dollars, Long Island is the last place you’d expect to have an abundant homeless population. But, authorities confirm that we do. In fact, years ago, I actually conducted an interview with a (young) family that was trying to make a better life for themselves while taking up residence (during an exceptionally frigid winter mind you) under a LIRR trestle.

The good news is that authorities report a decline in the number of homeless who are subjected to decrepit living conditions, especially within rundown motels is significantly declining and in turn is saving Suffolk County money.

According to Suffolk officials, since January 2004, the spending on housing families (mostly mothers and children) in local motels and other emergency shelters has seen a reduction from $22.5 million to $17.8 million in 2006.

As per the Department of Social Services, more families have been relocated to shelters offering on-site social workers who can furnish them with counseling, assist with job and career placement and finding permanent (and affordable housing).

They note, that relegating such families to rundown motels where they are left alone, with no resources, no finances, and nor help, only feeds their plight leaving them more lonely and scared.

And, it’s precisely that kind of mentality that led Suffolk legislators to petition New York State for an increase in the “homeless” stipend from $505 per month to $1,006 per month.

As of November 2006, the number of homeless families in Suffolk was calculated at 285 compared to 575 in 2003.

Nassau, which boast a slightly lower overall general population, including those who are homeless spent $3 million in 2005 on motels, a reduction from $4.8 million in 2004. Additionally, it spent $2.6 million on shelter, in contract to $2.2 million spent in 2004.