'We have to' charge working homeless rent, says Mayor Bloomberg
Sunday, May 10th 2009, 4:00 AM
Mayor Bloomberg Saturday defended a new policy that's forcing the city's working homeless to pay rent.
"Everybody else is doing it, and we're told we have to do it, so we're going to do it," Bloomberg said of the new policy, which requires the working homeless to pay up.
The rule, from a 1997 state law, has already affected 511 families - and could leave hundreds more stranded, advocates said.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said the "shocking" policy hurts the homeless and should be reversed.
"If this is a state requirement, New York City should be taking the lead in getting it changed," Stringer said.
"It makes no sense," said Legal Aid attorney Steven Banks, who vowed to fight it through the courts.
Latham Hotel shelter resident Lila Rodriguez, 22, said she can't afford to pay to live in the Manhattan facility.
"We don't have any money. We need help. If we had money, we wouldn't be here," Rodriguez said.
Residents are informed they're being charged via a notice that's sent to their shelters and caseworkers. They can appeal the amount in a hearing - but if they can't pay, they'll eventually be removed from housing.
Education for Liberation!
Peter S. Lopez ~aka: Peta
Sacramento, California, Aztlan
Yahoo Email: peter.lopez51@yahoo.com
http://anhglobal.ning.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Humane-Rights-Agenda/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NetworkAztlan_News/
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