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New Partnership Solidifies Relationships Among Agencies & Services Providing Care

White Plains, NY – September 23, 2026. The City of White Plains announces WP-CARES, a new formal collaborative effort bringing together the agencies, organizations and service providers that work with the unhoused population in White Plains and those experiencing mental health challenges.

While many of these organizations have worked together for decades, White Plains Coordinated Alliance for Recovery, Empathy, and Shelter (WP-CARES) creates an official structure to share information, coordinate outreach efforts, and identify opportunities to connect individuals with available services.

Many of the people WP-CARES aims to serve interact with multiple agencies and providers, so sharing relevant updates in a formalized partnership will enable each organization to better coordinate services, reduce duplication, and provide more consistent support to those in need.

White Plains already works closely with social service providers, nonprofits, medical facilities, Westchester County governmental departments, and the White Plains Business Improvement District.

WP-CARES builds on those relationships by creating a formal structure for inter-agency collaboration and communication.

The full WP-CARES team – consisting of more than a dozen organizations – will meet quarterly to discuss initiatives and ways to address homelessness and mental health crises, and opportunities to identify efficiencies and share best practices.

The WP-CARES key stakeholders who interact most directly with the population – including the White Plains Police Department’s Mental Health Outreach Team, Lifting Up Westchester, White Plains Hospital, Westchester County Departments of Social Services and Community Mental Health – will meet as a working group each month to share information on interactions with the unhoused population, to address housing, food insecurity, mental health and medical needs.

WP-CARES met for the first time earlier this month with more than two dozen participants.

“Those in our community who are unhoused or suffering from mental illness need all the support available to help them find more permanent solutions,” said Wade Hardy, Commissioner of Public Safety. “I look forward to working with WP-CARES to address these needs. This initiative fits in with the harm reduction strategies I discussed when I became Commissioner in January.”

Homelessness and mental health challenges affect communities across Westchester County and the country, and White Plains is not immune to these challenges. On average, five to six individuals are habitually unsheltered in White Plains while dozens of people utilize the shelters operated by our community partners, including Lifting Up Westchester.

The majority of calls to White Plains Police about homelessness involve medical care and concern for an individual’s well-being. Incidents involving disturbances, violence and intoxication have been on a steady decline over the last three years due to the work of our Police and community partners.

As the County Seat, White Plains has also served for decades as a major hub for social services in Westchester County. Many people travel to the city to access programs and services and may spend time in White Plains before returning to their communities or other shelters. While here, they can access the city’s additional network of services and mental health professionals.

There is no immediate fix to this chronic national problem, but in White Plains we are determined to continue addressing the struggles of the unhoused population and working to improve conditions for all those in our city.

“Our city is dedicated to helping those in need and our teams work tirelessly to make White Plains safe and welcoming to all,” said White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch. “The creation of WP-CARES will allow these organizations to work more efficiently together and to support each other in what are often very challenging situations.”

The City of White Plains implements, funds and supports multiple initiatives to assist the unhoused.

Some of those programs – including the Mental Health Outreach Team (MHOT) and Neighborhood Conditions & Community Relations – have been at the forefront of these challenging issues for more than 20 years, and continue to lead the way in effective and compassionate outreach.

MHOT has been a consistent presence in White Plains, conducting daily outreach throughout the city and interacting with all parts of the community, including the unhoused population. MHOT consists of trained, non-uniformed officers, mental health professionals and a social worker. The team knows the unhoused population in White Plains on a first-name basis, regularly talking with them and connecting individuals with the services they need – whether food, shelter, counseling, training or medical assistance. Additionally, MHOT is highly trained to work with individuals with mental health or addiction issues, which account for the majority of MHOT interactions.

Neighborhood Conditions & Community Relations also interacts regularly with the unhoused population and holds open hours at the White Plains Public Library to provide information about housing services, programming, and resources to help with food, utilities, and rent. Neighborhood Conditions & Community Relations has worked to connect individuals with the resources they need to move into the shelter system and then ideally to move into a more permanent living situation.

White Plains Police, MHOT, and other departments and community partners can offer services, make referrals and connect individuals with available shelters and resources. However, individuals cannot be compelled to accept those services or enter a shelter involuntarily. It is important to understand that it is very difficult for law enforcement to remove individuals who do not present a danger to themselves or others from public streets, buildings or spaces unless they are breaking a law, such as trespassing or disorderly conduct.

“As a result of strong partnerships between non-profits like Lifting Up Westchester, local hospitals and the City of White Plains and its police department, we are able to ensure that most individuals who are unhoused in White Plains are safely sheltered,” said Anahaita Kotval, Lifting Up Westchester CEO. “WP-CARES builds on those partnerships to focus our efforts on supporting those individuals who are hesitant to accept shelter or other support services.  By sharing information, strategies and resources to engage individuals who are harder to serve, we hope to positively impact their quality of life and that of the entire White Plains community.”

This is why continued outreach by groups such as MHOT remains so important; the team members establish relationships that over time hopefully lead to individuals consenting to accept services and help. White Plains and our community partners remain committed to working with the unhoused population so that if and when they decide to utilize services, they will know who to contact to receive assistance.

One example of coordinated care among the City, County and community partners involves Lifting Up Westchester. This vital organization runs two shelters in White Plains (Open Arms and Samaritan House), operates a community space and a soup kitchen and offers life skills and job training. The Lifting Up Westchester Outreach Support team engages with those experiencing homelessness who are hesitant to enter a shelter. They work to build trust and provide support as needed, often in coordination with MHOT and Westchester County Department of Social Services.

Lifting Up Westchester’s vital services are just one example of the network of resources already available in White Plains. WP-CARES intends to strengthen the connections among these organizations so that available resources can be coordinated and individuals can be connected quickly to the assistance they need.

WP-CARES PARTICIPANTS:

·         White Plains Department of Public Safety
·         White Plains Police Department Mental Health Outreach Team
·         White Plains Neighborhood Conditions & Community Relations
·         Westchester County Department of Social Services
·         Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
·         Westchester County Mobile Crisis Response Team
·         Lifting Up Westchester
·         White Plains Hospital Medical Center
·         Sisters of Divine Compassion (SDC)
·         White Plains Business Improvement District (BID)
·         Dutchess Stabilization Center
·         White Plains Public Library
·         City of White Plains, Mayor’s Office

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USA TODAY REPORTED MAJOR NETWORKS WOULD NOT CARRY WHITE HOUSE PRESS BRIEFINGS,

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NOW ON PERSPECTIVE ’26 I  WILL TRY HUMBLY TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS NEWS.

WILL KEVIN WARSH STOP INFLATION WITH HIS ¼ RISE IN COST OF BORROWING. I DOUBT IT.

KEEPING THE RATE AT 3.5% ALL LAST YEAR  DID NOT DO IT.  COMPANIES IN THE FIRST QUARTER FIRED THOUSANDS AND RAISED PRICES USING OIL AND TARIFFS AS EXCUSES THE RESULT GREAT PROFITS FOR THEM AND MISERY FOR YOU MR. AND MRS AND MS. AMERICA.

THE ANALYSIS THAT THE FED RAISING THE RATE 1/4%  MAY SIGNAL TO INVESTORS THAT THE BOARD IS ” PROACTIVE”   ABOUT MANAGING INFLATION COAXING INVESTORS TO EXPECT INFLATION TO MODERATE AND DEMAND A LOWER RETURN ON GOVERNMENT BONDS. BY A LEADING INVESTMENT ADVISOR IS INTERESTING.

HIGH INTEREST RATE LAST YEAR  CERTAINLY DID NOT DO THAT ALL THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR.

THEN THE ADVISOR  SAID “IF GROWTH STAYS RESILIENT AND THEY HIKE FIVE OR SIX TIMES, THEN THE LONG END (10 YEAR BONDS) IS NOT GOING TO GO DOWN. IT REALLY DEPENDS ON HOW MANY TIMES THEY HIKE” WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

IS THE FED SIMPLY ROLLING THE DICE, HOPING INFLATION WILL GO DOWN?  STEP RIGHT UP AND YOU BET YOUR INTEREST RATE. THAT’S WHAT THE FED IS DOING.

ON ANOTHER MATTER:

GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS PAYING 8,200 NEW YORKERS  $200 TO HELP US WITH ENERGY COSTS AND THE CHECKS ARE IN THE MAIL TODAY. SHE IS ALSO ESTABLISHING “FLOODSAFE” TO IDENTIFY WHERE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE VULNERABLE.  SHE HAS  ALREADY SIGNED INTO LAW ALSO DEMANDING MORE DISCLOSURE OF POWER COMPANY INCREASES.

BUT SOMETHING  IS MISSING.

I SAY IT’S MONEY.

YOU MAY IDENTIFY FLOODING EARLY WARNING BUT WE IN WESTCHESTER KNOW WHERE OUR DRAINS AND SEWERS ARE OVERFLOWING ALL OVER THE SOUTH SHORE AND WE EVEN SHUT DOWN SEWER PLANTS TO AVOID BLACKOUTS.

THE GOVERNOR KNOWS THIS AND SO DOES OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND OUR LEGISLATORS  SAY NOTHING ABOUT FUNDING SEWER REPAIR.

AS JERRY MCGUIRE  THE MOVIE AGENT SAID “SHOW ME THE MONEY.”

I ALSO SALUTE SENATOR GILLEBRAND FOR HER STAND ON MENOPAUSE IT IS ABOUT TIME.

JUST A WORD: 

I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU THE LAST MONTH, THE STATE IS NO LONGER TELLING US HOW MANY COVID CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED DAILY IN THE COUNTY. THE STATE WIDE INFECTIONS OF NEW COVID HAVE EQUALED INFECTIONS BACK ON MARCH 30 OF THIS YEAR, 772 IN A MONTH. WESTCHESTER DOES NOT KNOW WHERE IT IS ON COVID.

MY GUESS (BASED ON A 1 PERSON WITH COVID GIVING COVID TO 2 OTHER PERSONS WHICH WAS THE INFECTION RATE IN JULY FROM JUNE COVID INFECTIONS),IS:

WE SHOULD HAVE 1,500 COVID INFECTIONS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THE NEW YORK HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOULD RESUME UPDATE COVID INFECTIONS ACROSS THE STATE, OTHERWISE WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE WE ARE ON COVID GROWTH IN CASES.

TRUE INFORMATION IS SECURITY. NO INFORMATION IS JUST HOPING. NO INFORMATION ON COVID SPREAD CREATES ANOTHER COVID SURGE ESCALATING BECAUSE OF PUBLIC FEELS COVID IS OVER, AND IS APATHETIC, NOT FEELING THE NEED FOR GETTING VACCINATED AND, OF COURSE  SOCIALIZES IRRESPONSIBLY.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE JENKINS IS RIGHT. GET YOUR FLU AND COVID SHOTS.

THIS IS JOHN BAILEY REPORTING FOR WHITE PLAINS WEEK…GOOD NIGHT AND THANK YOU

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. From Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. September 19, 2026:

FRIDAY  there was a major flood at 172 Saw Mill River Road resulting in families being displaced from their apartments.

The Building Department was called to 172 Saw Mill River Road by the Elmsford Fire Department following a sprinkler system discharge at the apartment building.

Upon responding to the property, the Building Department observed substantial water damage throughout the building, including multiple collapsed ceilings, water-exposed electrical wiring and fixtures, and extensive damage to several apartment units.  Due to the extent of the damage and the condition of the building, eight families, including families with children, were displaced from their apartments.

The American Red Cross, Elmsford Fire Department, and Greenburgh Police Department have been on the scene. The CERT team has helped the families. The Theodore Young Community Center has provided temporary shelter for the families impacted by letting them shelter at the Theodore Young Community Center.

The Building Dept has advised the landlord to find shelter for the displaced families until the repairs are made.  The Town has been advised that, because this incident resulted from a sprinkler discharge and was not a fire, the American Red Cross does not provide financial assistance to the displaced residents in the same manner that it does following a fire.  As a result, the affected families currently must provide for their own food, beverages, and other daily necessities while they are displaced from their homes.

The property owner will be required to obtain the appropriate permits for the repair and restoration of the building. Based upon the damage observed, this will include building, electrical, and plumbing permits, as applicable to the scope of work.

I stopped by at the Theodore Young Community Center on Saturday afternoon- spoke with all the families and asked them to provide me with their needs. This is an e mail one resident just sent me. If you want to help her and e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com I will forward  you her contact information.

We are parents currently in need of housing assistance, as we have nowhere to stay; we have two children, making us a family of four. We also need food, clothing, basic necessities, and personal hygiene items. Our belongings are trapped at the other location, and it is very difficult going through this situation without answers. We would appreciate any help.

I will update the community on the other families needing help in the coming days.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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Since returning to Washington this month following the August recess, we have spent only two weeks legislating on Capitol Hill. However, House leadership has canceled the remainder of our September session and is sending members back to their districts until the week after Election Day. This shows the lack of urgency in the current leadership to deal with the real problems faced by everyday families. Throughout the summer I have traveled across Westchester and the Bronx, meeting you in your neighborhoods, listening to your concerns, and hearing what matters most to you and your families. My team and I remain committed to working for you, both in D.C. and back home in New York, and do all we can to keep you informed, legislate for you, and work toward meaningful change across the country. IN WASHINGTON Issues of the day that dominate our news headlines continue to evolve. Here is an update on a few of them: Iran War The war in Iran has entered its seventh month, hardly the quick ‘execution’ promised by the President back in February, with the U.S. Military Inspector General estimating that total costs now exceed $33 billion. Negotiations are on and off, with the stakes continuing to grow for both nations involved and the global economy. This war was not authorized through the traditional legal means by Congress, and despite multiple war powers resolutions being introduced and debated, with the most recent effort being just this past week, tensions have continued to escalate. The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels has also had major implications on global oil trade, with attacks on Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline and Bab al-Mandab Strait further straining supply. U.S. strategic oil reserves are now at their lowest since 1982, reminiscent of the oil crisis of the 1980s. Status: The war continues on, driving up global costs and straining military capacity on both sides. Support has waned among many across the country, as the President weighs our priorities and objectives for the next stage of this conflict. Affordability Crisis Across the country, Americans are feeling the pressure increase on their paychecks as prices on everyday goods are at record highs. Due to the war in the Middle East, gas prices continue to remain high. In total, people across NY‐16 have spent an additional $114 million on gas since the beginning of the war, which has cost the average family in NY‐16 an additional $468. (source: Joint Economic Committee Minority) Housing, healthcare, and grocery costs are also at record highs, with the Senate Joint Economic Committee estimating that families have had to spend an additional $4,200 on goods and services since the start of last year. Status: The affordability crisis is as bad as it’s been, and families everywhere are finding it harder than ever to get by. Addressing this is a major concern of mine and remains top of mind. Supreme Court Rulings As the Supreme Court gets ready to resume hearing oral arguments in October, they continue to hand down important decisions on a variety of topics – including their most recent ruling on mail-in voting. The Justices rejected Vote-by-Mail restrictions proposed by Conservatives in Washington ahead of the Midterms. Status: The President tried to impose new mail-in voting restrictions via executive order earlier this spring. This executive order required the Department of Homeland Security to send each state a list of adult U.S. citizens in that state at least 60 days before a federal election, and authorized the U.S. Attorney General to investigate and prosecute state officials who allow ineligible voters to cast ballots. This measure was taken up in the Supreme Court with a majority of the justices blocking the procedure that would have given the US Postal Service the unprecedented power to withhold potentially millions of mail ballots. Recent co-sponsored, authored, or supported legislation Introduced: Incentivizing Small Business Employee Retention Act of 2026 I am honored to introduce this bill which aims to help small businesses hire and retain employees who traditionally face barriers to employment. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers who invest in American job seekers who have consistently faced barriers to employment. Employers may claim the credit if they hire an individual who is a member of one of 10 WOTC-eligible groups, including qualified veterans and individuals with disabilities referred from a vocational rehabilitation program. Co-Sponsored: H.R.10107 – Families Deserve to Know Act I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 10107, the Families Deserve to Know Act. This legislation comes at a time when there are no federal laws requiring ICE to notify families when a detainee dies or suffers a medical emergency while in custody. This important legislation outlines a federal procedure and timeline to notify next of kin and emergency contacts – a step towards establishing long overdue transparency within ICE procedures. Co-Sponsored: H.R.10252 – Launching with Healthcare Act I recently co-sponsored H.R. 10252, Launching with Healthcare Act. This piece of legislation proposes an amendment to the Public Health Service Act to raise the age limit for adult children to remain on their parents health insurance plan from 26 to 31 years. I am proud to support this legislation that would guarantee our young people have access to coverage longer. Co-Sponsored: H.R. 9544 – Save MEDICARE Act of 2026 H.R. 9544 targets overpayments to Medicare Advantage insurers, and enforces stronger oversight to ensure that taxpayers are not overpaying for healthcare coverage. This bill is a major step towards saving taxpayers billions in overpayments and makes it so that traditional Medicare does not remain at a disadvantage to private insurance companies. Supported: A letter to President Trump urging his Administration to change course in its approach to Canada and recognize Canada as the close friend, ally, neighbor, and economic partner that it is. I recently joined a group of my colleagues from across the country to sign a letter to President Trump expressing our support for the trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Canada is one of our closest, most strategic trading partners and the recent trade war with our ally is hurting Americans and Canadians alike. I signed this letter because I know more tariffs are only furthering the affordability crisis, and I believe our economic strategy should prioritize costs and strategy, rather than posturing and conflict. Another Group of ‘Bad Bills’ The names of these bills sound convincing, but don’t be fooled. H.R. 10326 – PROOF Act This bill would make it easier for federal investigators to gain information from the states regarding potential fraud in federal programs such as Medicare, SNAP benefits, and student loans. Data sharing between Washington and the states could address concerns present in the federal financial aid (FAFSA) system, but this legislation put forward by House Republicans is premature. There is no provision in the bill to help states improve their existing fraud detection investigations. For example, the aid system for FAFSA loans already has a fraud detection mechanism that should be improved, not replaced, as this bill would. The PROOF Act allows the Attorney General to request any other information he deems appropriate to fraud investigations; it leaves the door open for privacy leaks of state data. Currently, this bill has passed the House, and I voted no. H.R. 1501 – Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 The Protecting Domestic Mining Act claims it will boost production for the U.S. mining industry, but the proposed boost comes from cutting corners on the review process that protects public health and the environment. Faster environmental impact reviews means more risks to the communities surrounding mines and increased hazards to surrounding ecosystems. Under the guise of cutting red tape, supporters of this bill are shortchanging the people affected the most by the environmental impact of mining. This legislation has passed the House but, I voted no. BACK HOME IN WESTCHESTER AND THE BRONX: This summer encompassed many local events, celebrations, and local recognitions. I have expanded on a few below. Congresswoman Nita Lowey Dedication: Westchester County and the Bronx were once represented by trailblazer Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Congresswoman Lowey served in the House of Representatives for 32 years and earned the top spot on the powerful Appropriations Committee, eventually leading as the first woman to serve as chairwoman of the committee. We tragically lost Congresswoman Lowey in March of 2025 and to honor her life and legacy, a green space at the Kensico Dam in Mount Pleasant, New York has been renamed in her honor. I was honored to speak at the dedication ceremony this month alongside former President Bill Clinton, current County Executive Ken Jenkins, local elected officials, and the family of Congresswoman Nita Lowey. 25th Anniversary of 9/11: Leading up to and on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I was honored to speak at and attend multiple events across Westchester and the Bronx to honor the countless lives lost that day. Events included memorials in Mount Vernon, Tarrytown, White Plains, Rye, and many others. I was able to spend time with families of the brave men and women who ran into danger that day to protect those around them and heard about the consequences many are still living with today, 25 years later. Local Events: Throughout the past month, I was also able to attend many local events across Westchester and the Bronx. A few of these stops included visiting farmers markets, attending local religious services, stopping at senior centers, and many more. Being in our communities and hearing what matters most to you helps me be more effective in Congress as your Representative. Watch some of my recent House of Representatives floor speeches: Defending Mail-In Voting Long-Term Outlook for Social Security Solvency Thousands Arrested by ICE, Eroding Trust in Local Law Enforcement Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Across Westchester and the Bronx The Growing Affordability Crisis and Restoring the American Dream SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Disaster relief should never be political. As a government agency, FEMA should be aiding all Americans during a disaster, not just those who agree with their political leaning. This partisan roadblock impacts not just New Yorkers, but every American relying on federal support in a crisis. TEXTING SIGN UP In case you missed it, my office sends text messages to residents in the 16th District. We hope this is another way to keep you informed of what I am working on in DC and at home. If you would like to join our texting list, you can sign up here: https://latimer.house.gov/services/subscribe-texting STAY IN TOUCH  Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X and YouTube to stay up-to-date on what I am working on. If this newsletter was sent to you by someone else, you can sign up for it here: https://latimer.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe   As always, reach out to my offices with concerns or questions. We are here to serve you!   Sincerely, Rep. George Latimer Member of Congress Washington D.C. Office 1507 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Bronx Office 177 Dreiser Loop Room 3 Bronx, NY 10475 White Plains Office 222 Mamaroneck Ave. Suite 312 White Plains, NY 10605