Preventing Evictions - NYTimes.com Re "As Evictions Rise, Bronx Program Offers Second Chance for Families in Need" (news article, April 26): I have not always agreed with New York City's homeless policies - for example, the inadequate level of financing for affordable housing for very low-income residents - but the Department of Homeless Services" eviction support program is a great example of how effective prevention is. The article says that officials acknowledge the expense but they said that costs would be more than paid back with savings from having fewer families in shelters. That's correct. Also, providing high-quality medical care to homeless people is more than paid back by avoiding unnecessary, expensive emergency room care and hospitalizations. Supportive housing, affordable housing and transitional rental subsidies aren't cheap, but they more than pay for themselves by preventing homelessness or moving people out of shelters more quickly and helping them stay housed. Director, Care for the Homeless New York, April 30, 2013