Updated 03/04/2009 05:31 PM
Survey Claims Major Drop In City's Homeless Population
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Major gains were reported today in the fight to get New Yorkers off the streets, but advocates for the homeless are questioning those numbers.
The city's annual survey of homelessness says the homeless population has dropped 30 percent since last year and almost 50 percent since 2005.
The survey was prepared by volunteers who scoured the city's streets, parks and subway stations for their count.
The city credits the reduction to its outreach services.
"Our outreach team is very, very persistent and very patient with people who are on the street. They meet with them over and over and over again," said Scott Auwarter of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
"With their help, that's a boost, but I made the decision to change my life and I just thank God that common ground came on my path," said Bernard Jones, a formerly homeless man.
Critics say the current recession will only increase the city's homeless population.
"Tonight, thousands of New Yorkers will sleep on our city's streets, and as the economy continues to collapse that number will only increase," said Mary Brosnahan, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless.
The Coalition for the Homeless questioned how the survey is conducted and the count's accuracy.