Lifelines Beyond Shelters - Access to Basic Necessities

As we wrap up our focus this month on Access to Food & Basic Necessities, I'd like to delve deeper into the role of shelters in addressing homelessness and where they sometimes fall short.

NYC is the only city in the U.S. with a Right to Shelter mandate. This means if you can show that you have nowhere to sleep, the city must provide you with a bed. It’s one of the reasons that while New York has the second highest homeless rate in the nation, its unsheltered population is one of the lowest. Without it, you’d see tent encampments similar to L.A., Phoenix, and almost every other city in America. Shelters play a crucial part in our city, providing immediate shelter and often meals to those who need them most. Yet, they often function as temporary solutions, and rarely provide access to other basic necessities for individuals trying to rebuild their lives.

Regaining your stability once you are homeless is a full-time job. When you lack money, clean clothing, basic toiletries, transportation, and the ability to address health conditions, attempting to acquire these basic necessities is nearly impossible. This is a struggle for many individuals experiencing homelessness that happens every single day.

For someone to achieve long-term stability, it demands help and services that go beyond just shelter. It necessitates a holistic approach that will help someone mentally, physically, and spiritually get where they want to go.

It calls for providing individuals with fundamental resources that can help them recognize their dignity and rebuild their lives – from clean clothes and sanitary products to healthcare services and job opportunities that pay a living wage. It also involves the spiritual awakening and community support that helps them feel seen, valued, and supported.

This is where you and City Relief come in. Together, we can help provide these lifelines, going beyond a 'band-aid solution' to actively supporting our community members on their journey towards stability and a brighter future.

Thank you for being part of this transformative journey.

With gratitude,
Josiah Haken

P.S. Don’t forget, every small act counts. Join our monthly giving team or consider increasing your contribution today. Every dollar goes directly to providing much-needed resources to those in need.