LICH is dedicated to reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness on Long Island.
We envision a Long Island community where all people have a safe place to call home and, if and when, people do experience homelessness, that they are quickly connected to supports that assist in exiting homelessness as fast as possible.
LICH seeks to achieve this goal in the following ways:
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Leadership- leading the local (Nassau and Suffolk) Continuum of Care;
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Nassau/Suffolk Continuum of Care Website
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Street Outreach- conducting year-round housing-focused street outreach;
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Housing and Services Navigation- providing housing navigation services to those living in shelter;
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Local Initiatives- participating in focused initiatives such as the Initiative to End Veteran Homelessness, Built For Zero Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness and the Rapid Results Institute 100-Day Challenge to Address Youth Homelessness;
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Community / Stakeholder Forums- hosting monthly stakeholder and community member meeting
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Education and Training- providing homeless education and advocacy/regional training and guidance
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Amityville Community Resource Center / Centralized Access to Support- acting as a central community hub for those experiencing homelessness and in need, The Amityville Community Resource Center provides a wide variety of support services in one location for Veterans and those experiencing homelessness or at-risk, including a community "Boutique" for households in need to access essential items and connect to resources, managed by LICH volunteers.
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Community Events: hosting various community events such as an annual homeless conference (Fall), health fair (Spring) and summer camp and school supply drive for homeless children (Summer);
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Partnerships- establishing key partnerships and enhancing coordination of housing and services;
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Research and Reporting- reviewing and conducting research and analyses on the most effective strategies to ending homelessness that are grounded in evidence and local considerations. LICH is responsible to submit local homeless data to HUD.
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Data- data system management (HMIS) to better understand homelessness locally and create data-driven strategies
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Local Community Action- various other local causes related to housing, equity, and community improvements, such as the 2020 Census Count.
A community member's role in addressing homelessness locally could include:
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If you observe or know of someone living on the streets, report it to the Street Outreach Team
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Combat community and systemic challenges such as NIMBY-ism, criminalization of homelessness and racism that contribute to more trauma and people experiencing homelessness longer
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Debunk myths and stigmas about homelessness with facts and data
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Learn and share resources that are available to people experiencing homelessness
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Community education and elevating community dialogue
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Participate in local meetings and forums on homelessness
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If able, donate time and/or money to services that directly impact homelessness
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Political action and support for elected officials that are addressing homelessness
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Encourage landlords to partner with non-profits providing permanent housing to homeless households
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Encourage businesses to provide employment and economic opportunities to those experiencing homelessness
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Use positions and platforms such as social media to share information
What Is Your Why? (short video clip)
The number one cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. There is a direct correlation between the cost of housing and the number of people that experience homelessness. Long Island is one the most expensive places in the country to live. Almost 70% of those experiencing homelessness on Long Island are families with children.
Our Street Outreach Workers and Housing Navigators (Coordinated Entry Team) work directly with people that are experiencing homelessness the longest, are the most vulnerable, and are the least connected to community supports.
Our approach is somewhat simple: we meet people where they are at, and support them until they are permanently housed- whatever that takes, and however long that takes. We do this using techniques and approaches that are grounded in evidence to be most effective, in a person-centered way.
Why do we do what we do? It's more than just our passion and wanting to help people. We do it because we refuse to accept a community where people do not have a roof over their heads and continue to suffer.
Please join us at our next Community Event: Have A Heart for the Homeless Health Fair & Candlelight Vigil
If you are experiencing homelessness and need help with housing or looking for resources to assist someone experiencing homeless, click here.
If you aware of someone experiencing street homelessness, please leave a message for our Street Outreach Team at: 631-464-4314 x 118
To learn more about our annual street homeless count, click here.
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