Bloomberg: NYC Shelters So Nice, Homeless Don't Want to Leave

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, a mayoral contender, said Bloomberg was "living in a fantasy world''

Mayor Bloomberg says New York City has made its homeless shelters "so much more pleasurable'' that there's less pressure for people to leave.      

Bloomberg said Thursday that before he came into office, the shelter system was an "abomination.''      

He said he's proud they "provide a safe, clean environment with on-site security, support services and caseworkers for children on site.''      

The mayor was responding to a question that the average stay for families had jumped 30 percent during the 2012 fiscal year.      

Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Mary Brosnahan said the remarks were "shocking and offensive.''

She said Bloomberg had "systematically closed every single path to affordable housing once available to homeless families.''      

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, a mayoral contender, said Bloomberg was "living in a fantasy world.''

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