With the resignation of Department of Homeless Services Director Robert Hess, many of the recent policy changes that the department has threatened to enforce have been picked up by the press. WNYC has reported on the city’s plan to require formerly homeless tenants to pay 30 percent of their income towards rent. They spoke with a broker who said that many landlords don’t want to rent to homeless families as they fear delays in payment.

Because these tenants have very low incomes or possibly even stipends, it’s virtually impossible for them to keep up with the monthly rent. Praxis staff and clients have been vocal against this policy and have taken this fight from City Hall to Albany.

The new director will be Seth Diamond, the executive deputy commissioner at the Human Resources Administration. Mr. Diamond was first appointed by Giuliani during his first term as Mayor.

Diamond discussed his new goals with The New York Times, “setting high expectations for people, supporting them as they try and reach those expectations, strongly supporting people who go to work, and having some consequences for people who fail to take advantage of some of the opportunities that we make available.”
Coalition for the Homeless senior policy analyst Patrick Markee was quoted as saying, “Given that we’ve got record homelessness in New York City, the serious need was for a change in direction…the appointment of Diamond does not send that message.” The new commissioner, he says, “seems to have a philosophy that homelessness is somehow the failure of families and individuals who are homeless. So it’s a troubling thought.”

We’ll be following this closely, so check back to the blog for updates.

In 1997 a New York state law required homeless people to pay rent if they could afford it.  However, the city never adhered to this law.  Last year the city attempted to charge rent but dropped these plans when the Legal Aid Society threatened a lawsuit.

Enforcing this law would require some shelter residents to pay as much as 44% of their income.  This is scheduled to go into effect as early as September and would raise anywhere from $2 million to $3 million a year.

Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs claims that 15% of homeless people in shelters earn enough money to pay rent.  She further stated that the amount would be on a sliding scale depending on income.  A family of three making $10,000 a year would pay $36 a month.

“It makes far more sense to allow those families to save their meager funds in order to be able to get out of the shelter system sooner,” added Steven Banks, chief attorney of the Legal Aid Society.

Is this really fair to burden those who have the least in this rough economic climate?  To start a discussion about this issue, join Praxis on facebook.

Praxis recently lost one of our clients at the Lincoln.  She was admired by both staff and fellow residents.  And she had graciously agreed to be a part of our ongoing photography portrait project.  You may have seen some of these in the main office.  Her photo will be on display at the Lincoln soon.

We’re all greatly affected by this loss as Praxis staff really cares about the health and well-being of residents- like a family.

Recently, the staff at the Riverside received words of encouragement from a former client.

Hello Mr. Harrington and staff.  This is my way of saying thank you for a very pleasant stay at the annex.  I usually don’t write thank you letters.  However, I made a promise to myself to start showing some kind of appreciation other than a simple thank you for people that have helped me in one way or another.  I wish I was in a position to do more but unfortunately I’m not.  I would also like to commend you and your staff for your outstanding professionalism and hospitality.  Once again, thank you, thank you, and thank you!!!

When we get thanks like that, it keeps us all going even when things get tough.  We’re here to help people and receiving such kind feedback is always appreciated.