Here’s our latest post for Change.org
NYC Tells Disabled Shelter Residents to Find Nonexistent Jobs
Here’s the good news: the City of New York’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is abandoning its flawed housing voucher programs. The bad news? It’s replacing them with something far worse.
Newly-installed Commissioner Seth Diamond, who we’ve noted has no homeless services experience, will be implementing a new housing voucher program in July called “The Advantage New York Program,” based on his concept of personal responsibility.
All current and future homeless residents will be required to apply for public assistance. This includes those who are working, those receiving Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSD), unemployment, veterans benefits and/or other forms of cash assistance. If a shelter resident does not apply for public assistance, she will be sanctioned and the city will move to evict her from the shelter. Evicted. From a shelter.
Applying for public assistance adds a new layer of bureaucratic red tape for shelter residents. The city’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) is the agency responsible for providing public assistance to needy New Yorkers. There are countless appointments and, in our view, mind-numbing activities and requirements to receive a minimal amount of cash assistance. If a resident misses an appointment or otherwise fails to comply with any of the additional HRA requirements, she will be sanctioned.
To read more, click here.
Filed under: Change.org, Homelessness, Mental Illness
