County Plans to End Homelessness in 10 Years

"At a Mineola news conference announcing the 104-page plan yesterday, Suozzi estimated 500 people live on the streets in Nassau, about 1,500 live in shelters or motels, and about 20,000 live with relatives or in illegal housing. Homeless advocates at the news conference said figures were probably higher.

The plan is the culmination of 16 months' work by a 70-member committee of nonprofit leaders, ministers, business executives, law enforcement representatives and others. Nassau is the state's ninth county or city to make such a plan, and among 300 nationwide.

The plan listed nine goals, and the common thread running through nearly all was creating more affordable housing. Rental units make up about 17 percent of Nassau's housing stock, a statistic that must increase for a serious effort at reducing homelessness, county officials said."