We, the undersigned, strongly urge you to direct the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to halt the Request for Proposals process on the Respite Bed (071-09S-03-1348) & Drop-In Centers (071-09S-03-1347) Concept Papers that we believe would significantly and adversely affect the lives of homeless people now served by the faith-based Emergency Shelter Network. We would gladly embrace alternatives to the current system, if DHS presented a plan that we felt would improve the lives of homeless people in New York City. However, we feel that the plan they have laid out in these two concept papers is not in the best interest of the population we serve. We further urge you to direct Commissioner Hess and others in the DHS to meet with organizations that advocate for our homeless population, as well as with members of the faith community, who have a long and positive experience providing much-needed shelter, safety and dignity in the absence of affordable housing. The purpose of these meetings would be to develop alternative approaches to those that DHS has proposed that will balance the city's need to reduce costs with the sacred obligation of this city and its citizens to provide adequate shelter and services to all homeless individuals, not just to those who are chronically living on our city's streets. Congregation B'nai Jeshurun Synagogue: 257 West 88th Street Offices: 2109 Broadway, Ste. 203 New York, NY 10023 Tel: 212.787.7600 x261 http://www.bj.org The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist 263 West 86th Street New York, NY 10024 Tel. 212.362.3179 http://spsanyc.org