FACT VS. SPIN: The Myth that Homelessness Is Only a Jobs Problem Posted on May 24, 2010 by PATRICK MARKEE As we noted recently, new NYC Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond plans — as he told the New York Times on the day of his appointment — “to import more of the work-based philosophy that dominates the city’s we ..Read More
New Poll Finds Widespread Support for Shelter and Housing for Homeless New Yorkers Posted on May 19, 2010 by PATRICK MARKEE A new public opinion survey found strong support for the legal right to shelter for homeless New Yorkers, and for prevention and housing assistance. The survey results were released by the Institute for Children and Poverty in a report entitled, “Stemm ..Read More
Obama administration criticizes New York’s policy of finger imaging food stamp applicants Posted on May 18, 2010 by GISELLE ROUTHIER A top Agriculture Department official urged the state to discontinue its practice of finger imaging applicants for food stamps–a practice he cited as costly and ineffective. Many advocates have long opposed the policy, saying that it discourages applica ..Read More
Jobs vs. Homes Posted on May 17, 2010 by PATRICK MARKEE New DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond, an architect of harsh Giuliani-era welfare policies, wants more homeless families to work — but fails to recognize that housing affordability, not joblessness, is at the root of record NYC homelessness. In an article i ..Read More
Mayor Bloomberg Proposes Sharp Cutbacks to Homeless Services Posted on May 14, 2010 by PATRICK MARKEE The Mayor’s FY 2011 Executive Budget proposal includes dramatic reductions in funding for street homeless services, homelessness prevention, and shelter and services for vulnerable New Yorkers — and will lead to more homelessness. Coalition for the ..Read More
Florida officially categorizes attacks on the homeless as hate crimes Posted on May 13, 2010 by GISELLE ROUTHIER On Tuesday, the Governor of Florida signed into law a bill that would classify attacks against the homeless as hate crimes. Florida has ranked first in the nation on such attacks against the homeless for the past eleven years–with clearly marked trends ..Read More
FACT VS. SPIN: Bloomberg’s Homeless Housing Record Posted on May 12, 2010 by PATRICK MARKEE Today we inaugurate an occasional feature called “Fact vs. Spin,” an attempt to counter some of the false, inaccurate spin about homelessness and housing policy that is, sadly, all-too-often perpetrated by public officials and pundits and then tran ..Read More
Thousand March Across Brooklyn Bridge Posted on May 7, 2010 Outraged over the plight of the more than 20,000 homeless kids residing in emergency shelter each night, a group of concerned New York City schoolchildren collected over 10,000 signatures on a petition to outgoing Mayor Bloomberg. They delivered the petition ..Read More
Rent Hikes Looming from Bloomberg’s Board Posted on May 6, 2010 by PATRICK MARKEE Last night Mayor Bloomberg’s appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board signaled their support for further rent increases affecting half of all rental apartments in New York City — a recipe for more homelessness. As the New York Times and other news ..Read More