Both sides are expected to return to Justice Freedman's courtroom soon, and make their arguments.

Justice Freedman will determine what action, if any, the city must take in response to the recommendations.

Current city officials would not publicly discuss Justice Freedman's impact on homeless policy.

Justice Freedman is obliged, he argues, to protect those families until the city has a better compliance record.

"They jump from one plan to another and never implement any of them," Justice Freedman said recently.

Justice Freedman has neither accepted or rejected the city's proposal, which was submitted last month.

"If there is any other housing available, the city should not have to provide assistance," Justice Freedman said.

Justice Freedman also said that, under the new law, the state was not obligated to pick up the city's share until 1999.

The decision had no effect on Justice Freedman's ruling that the city could opt out of the program.

Justice Freedman admonished the officials to fix the homeless problem, but was not specific enough about how she expected them to act, he said.