NEW YORK - The NYPD will help the homeless move out of the subway system under a new program called the Subway Diversion Project.

Starting July 1, police will no longer give the homeless a civil summons for things like fare evasion or lying across seats.

Instead, officers will refer the homeless to outreach teams.

If the person opts into the program, they will be escorted to a social service office for help getting housing and other resources.

In a statement, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, "New Yorkers want homeless people in the subway to receive the right interventions that will help them get back on their feet. Subjecting these individuals to criminal justice involvement for low level, non-violent offenses is not the answer."