MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT WITH THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY ENDING 25-YEAR LITIGATION AND COURT OVERSIGHT OF HOMELESS FAMILY SERVICES SYSTEM

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and The Legal Aid Society Attorney-in-Chief Steven Banks today announced an agreement dismissing the McCain, Lamboy, Slade, and Cosentino collection of lawsuits, which together have governed the homeless services system for families with children in New York City for 25 years. The agreement, signed by the parties today, ends litigation and court oversight of the City's family shelter services system. Nearly three years ago, a court-appointed Special Master Panel evaluated the homeless services system and unanimously recommended the end to litigation. The Mayor and Attorney-in-Chief Banks were joined in the Blue Room at City Hall by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs, Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Robert V. Hess, and State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) Commissioner David A. Hansell.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era - an era in which the need for court oversight is over and we can all move forward in our shared commitment to effectively meeting the needs of homeless families," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The family shelter system of today focuses on prevention like never before, helps families find permanent housing like never before, and balances rights with responsibilities like never before. Today's historic agreement not only recognizes the tremendous progress we've made over the past six and a half years, it frees us to make even more." More...