Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Police Department Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon, and Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park launched a new initiative on Oct. 10 to assist New Yorkers experiencing homelessness in the subway system.
The Partnership Assistance for Transit Homelessness (PATH) features outreach teams that include nurses and social service professionals from the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) working alongside NYPD transit police, according to a press release.
The teams conduct outreach at subway stations from 8:00pm to midnight, engaging individuals living unsheltered to offer personalized support based on their needs.
“Our around-the-clock outreach efforts and robust expansion of Safe Havens and stabilization beds have helped more than 2,000 New Yorkers who were experiencing unsheltered homelessness move into permanent homes,” said Park. “As we build on this important progress, this new interagency initiative will further enhance the presence of outreach staff and trained clinicians in the subway system to ensure that we are not missing any opportunity to meaningfully engage some of our harder to reach New Yorkers who are in critical need of quality care in safe and stable settings.”
PATH utilizes a “co-response” model, pairing police officers with clinical professionals trained in crisis de-escalation. This approach aims to enhance the safety of clinicians when engaging with individuals displaying symptoms of mental illness. Since its inception, PATH has connected over 500 unhoused New Yorkers to services, including shelter and medical care.
The initiative builds on the city's ongoing efforts to address homelessness and mental health needs through the Subway Safety Plan, which has already assisted over 7,800 individuals in finding shelter. As crime in the subway system continues to decline, city officials express optimism that PATH will further improve safety and support for New Yorkers in need.
