A Declaration of Solidarity and Pledge of Support for People Experiencing Homelessness (Including the Men of the Lucerne Hotel)

We, the undersigned faith and community leaders, elected officials, and others who care, express unwavering solidarity with and support for homeless men and women everywhere, but especially in New York City, and particularly those who have been temporarily housed at hotels during the pandemic. This specifically includes the temporary residents of the Lucerne Hotel, under the auspices of Project Renewal.

We also applaud Project Renewal, a service provider to our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness, which has been providing increasingly robust social services at the Lucerne, where the men also receive support from many local community organizations and individuals. One of those external services is provided by some of the signatories hereto through Open Hearts Initiative, a local community organization, in the form of "Soulful Walk & Talks," during which faith leaders meet with groups of residents to provide multi-faith, non- denominational spiritual support at a time when houses of worship are closed. The idea for this program was suggested by a resident of the Lucerne. The ministry to these residents by some of us, and the work of Open Hearts Initiative and other organizations and individuals, has been an important part of the men's spiritual and psycho-emotional stability, and those who have participated have expressed enormous gratitude for it. We are expanding this program to other temporary hotel residents.

As of this date, the mayor and DHS are attempting to move the residents of the Lucerne again, to yet another hotel, this one in the Wall Street area. Based on our knowledge and understanding of the situation, we believe this planned move to be ill-advised, given the need for stability in order for the men to move forward with their lives, recover from substance use disorder, properly handle mental health issues, and work toward obtaining permanent housing. We believe that the planned move will wreak havoc on the men, as well as trigger emotional and mental trauma.

We strongly support their right to remain at the Lucerne until the health data shows that it is safe for them to return to their congregate shelters, as per the mayor's original plan. We will continue to affirm that right, and we invite faith leaders, elected officials, community organizations, and others from across New York to add their names to ours. In the event that the move does take place, we will continue to stand in solidarity with and support the men of the Lucerne, and to continue in our overall intent to address the crisis of homelessness. It is important to note that all of the Abrahamic faith traditions - which represent over one-half of the world's population - support compassion and care for those experiencing homelessness:

"Thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Exod. 23:9)

“But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see? “ (1 John 4:20)

"Your Lord is sure to give you so much that you will be well satisfied. Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you? Did He not find you lost and guide you? Did He not find you in need and make you self-sufficient? So, do not be harsh with the orphan and do not chide the one who asks for help; talk about the blessings of your Lord." (Surah 93:6-11)

Dated: October 13, 2020

Signatories (institutions provided for identification purposes only):