Thompson: City Hall’s Homeless Rent Plan Should Not Continue

June 25, 2009

by Comptroller William C. Thompson

New York, NY – June 24, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. submitted testimony today to the City Council’s General Welfare Committee regarding the Department of Homeless Services’ Family Income Contribution Requirement and Client Conduct and Responsibility Procedure, which was designed to charge homeless New Yorkers rent to stay in City shelters.

Thompson strongly supported City Council Resolution No. 2002, which calls on the New York State Legislature to pass legislation such as S.5605 and A.8353-A, and amend the social services law in relation to financial contributions by recipients of temporary housing assistance.

“This legislation, if enacted, would effectively put an end to the Mayor’s unconscionable plan to charge homeless people rent to stay in New York City shelters,” Thompson said.

Instead of charging homeless New Yorkers rent to live in shelters Thompson advocated for the City to institute a savings account program for those they are seeking to charge rent. These accounts could be used by homeless families towards permanent housing.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Mayor’s answer to our budget woes seems increasingly to fall on our City’s most vulnerable residents—the people who are suffering the most in this economy,” Thompson said. “We must look for solutions that benefit these families, get them out of public shelters, and on the road to recovery.”

In recent weeks, Thompson has held rallies to protest the proposal and has written to Mayor Bloomberg expressing his outrage at the insensitive and ill-conceived plan.

To view the Comptroller’s previous statements on the issue visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov

Contact: Press Office (212) 669-3747