Rochester Mayor Richards appreciates charity efforts

ROCHESTER — Mayor Thomas S. Richard thanked the leaders of Rochester’s human service agencies for their tireless efforts to end homelessness at City Hall Tuesday night.

In the last six years, the city has enabled more than $400 million in investment for affordable rental housing.

“We have seen demonstrative improvements over the years in both homelessness prevention and stemming foreclosures,” said Richards. 

Rochester’s two-pronged approach for funding includes direct services for the homeless and successful programs that keep people from losing their homes, as well as resources for providing affordable housing.

As a result of the Continuum of Care and the Homeless Services Network, Rochester is home to 50 well-organized agencies dedicated to preventing homelessness and home foreclosures. 

“The Rochester community has been working to help ensure that local people are able to overcome foreclosure, eviction and homelessness, and become independent,” said Peter, Carpino, President of United Way of Greater Rochester.

Not only is Rochester dedicated to finding homes for the homeless, but preventing foreclosures.

More than 1,200 permanent housing units in Rochester and Monroe County are available for people who have recently become homeless. The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program has provided more than $2.5 million for emergency rentals and security deposits.

“One of the key elements of foreclosure and homelessness prevention programs supported by United Way’s Community Fund is to provide educational support to homeowners to help them maintain home ownership,” added Carpino.

Despite being the 51st largest Metropolitan area in the country, Rochester’s rate of homelessness is the 89th lowest, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. In addition, Rochester’s number of foreclosures is lower than it was in the 1990s and 2000s. 

“As winter approaches, the community should feel confident that the city, county and more than 50 community agencies are working together to provide a safety net for those that need shelter and programs to keep people from losing their homes as well as provide affordable housing for our citizens,” said Mayor Richards.