The Street Homelessness Advocacy Project (SHAP) is celebrating major milestones as the program marks two years since it began operating. Between year one and year two of the program, the SHAP team increased the percentage of homeless New Yorkers they are assisting in moving voluntarily off the streets and into some form of supportive programming from an approximate 33% success rate to almost 50%.
SHAP is a volunteer outreach initiative that aims to build relationships and provide direct support to those experiencing homelessness. SHAP’s primary purpose is to train volunteers, including those with lived experience, to advocate for and offer services to unhoused New Yorkers, according to a press release.
“Thanks to the Street Homelessness Advocacy Project, everyday New Yorkers are answering the call to volunteer and lend a helping hand to their neighbors in need, and their good work is paying off, with nearly 50% of homeless individuals connecting with SHAP choosing to voluntarily come off our streets,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Solving our homelessness crisis requires each and every one of us to follow in the footsteps of SHAP volunteers by treating those experiencing homelessness with dignity and humanity. Thank you to all the volunteers, partner organizations, and to Norman Siegel for leading the way and working so no one is forced to sleep on the streets of our city.”
Since its formation, SHAP has made considerable progress in helping those experiencing homelessness connect with vital services. In its first year, SHAP successfully helped one out of three people experiencing homelessness voluntarily leave the streets. Now, in its second year, approximately one out of two people — 223 individuals experiencing homelessness out of 451 — that have interacted with SHAP have voluntarily left the streets through a referral or placement with a supportive program, a nearly 50% rate of success.
“Effectively engaging New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and convincing them to access services requires understanding, respect, compassion, and trust, which are all built through sustained engagements over time,” said New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “SHAP provides New Yorkers of all walks of life the opportunity to meaningfully participate in this critical work and help their vulnerable neighbors access life-changing supports. This initiative has been an effective supplement to the agency’s comprehensive outreach efforts, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside SHAP volunteers to support our neighbors in need.”
Those interested in volunteering with SHAP should visit the SHAP website or email [email protected]. Any New Yorker who sees someone in need of assistance can call 311 or file a report through the 311 app.
