The Homeless Assistance Fund will provide services and mental health resources
Latham & Watkins has joined more than 60 New York businesses to establish the Homeless Assistance Fund – a public-private initiative led by Mayor Eric Adams and the Partnership for New York City to help unsheltered New Yorkers and those living with mental illness find treatment programs and housing.
“As New Yorkers, we are at our best when we look out for our community,” said Marc Jaffe, office managing partner of Latham & Watkins’ New York office. “The Homeless Assistance Fund will help people suffering on the street find shelter, support, and a path to a better life, a result that benefits our entire city. Latham proudly stands with the business community and Mayor Adams in supporting this terrific team effort.”
The Homeless Assistance Fund will use its initial US$8 million pledged funding to partner with Breaking Ground, a homeless outreach and housing nonprofit, to expand its Connect to Care initiative, adding outreach worker teams and serving areas not covered by city contracts, such as ATM vestibules, retail spaces, and plazas.
The program will initially target areas around major transit hubs and dense office districts.
Breaking Ground will offer training for people commuting to work in these districts to help them better understand populations facing homelessness and mental illness and equip employees with practical ways to help.
The Homeless Assistance Fund is also supported by other law firms including Sidley Austin LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
