In March, Mayor Eric Adams announced his plan to rid the city of homeless encampments. But while Adams has pledged to provide housing, many homeless individuals don’t want to stay in a shelter. Between horrible living conditions, strict rules, and very little privacy, some feel it’s even worse than living on the streets. 

In fact, out of the 239 encampments cleared at the end of March, only five people moved to shelters. This is why the mayor has favored what’s known as a Safe Haven. A Safe Haven is considered a “low threshold” shelter, which means it has less rules, more privacy, and oftentimes, mental health and substance abuse services. 

In this episode we talk to Shams DaBaron. Shams, also known as “Da Homeless Hero” is a local advocate. He remembers what it was like to be homeless and living in a shelter in New York City.

Follow "Da Homeless Hero" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/homeless_hero

Homeless New Yorkers oppose sweeps – and shelters: https://epicenter-nyc.com/i-want-an-apartment-just-like-you-homeless-new-yorkers-oppose-sweeps-and-shelters/

Brooklyn Eviction Defense: https://brooklynevictiondefense.org/en/

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-case-for-epicenter-membership-one-auntie-to-another/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

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