American Morning
Charging rent to homeless
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/11/carroll.homeless.art.jpg caption= "Princess Seyborn and her daughter live in a New York City public shelter where they are now being asked to pay rent."]
Imagine you're a single mother. You're living in a homeless shelter making barely enough at your job as a day care worker to feed your daughter and pay the bills. Now what would you do if that shelter suddenly told you in order to stay you had to pay rent? This is the reality for Princess Seyborn and hundreds of other working homeless families in New York City.
The city is starting to charge working homeless families like Seyborn to stay in the city's publicly run shelters. Seyborn now has to pay $345 dollars a month in rent. "I tried to explain it on my best behalf," Seyborn said. "I don't have it and all I'm getting is pens and paper in my face saying sign here and sign here, and I refuse to sign."
The policy is based on a 1997 state law, which requires shelter residents with jobs to use a portion of their earnings to pay rent. The amount varies according to family size and which shelter is being used.
So why is the city implementing the law now? One reason could have to do with the results of a 2007 state audit. The city was required to pay back $2.4 million in housing aid that should have been supplemented by working homeless families.
The city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, defended the policy saying, "Everybody else is doing it, and we're told we have to do it, so we're going to do it."
But some city officials say the mayor should be looking for ways to reverse the policy not enforce it. Homeless advocates warn the policy could actually prolong a person's stay at a shelter. Arnold Cohen, President and CEO of Partnership for the Homeless, said city officials don't understand the income many of these people make goes to childcare. Cohen said, "So, when they have child care they are able to look for a job, able to look for housing, but we're essentially taking that money away from them."
The city says the policy is designed to prevent the working homeless from becoming dependent on public assistance and to move families back into their own homes.
So what can the working homeless do if faced with the prospect of being kicked out under the policy? Princess Seyborn is filing an appeal with the state. But critics of the policy worry unless it is reversed, many working homeless will end up back on the streets.
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First of all, we don't know what the equation is that specifies the amount a homeless must pay. What if is is 5% of her net. Then she might be making about 7K a month. Well then, maybe it is 20% and she is making 1750 a month. Until we have facts we have no right to make a comment. Maybe she owns a condo and is renting it out for a net profit and just doesn't mind the Homeless shelter. It might provide child care too. Do some real journalistic homework before you publish this type of story. I do know that what people get for nothing, they seldom appreciate. But don't disppoint me with this kind of useless stirring the pot of social injustice.
I have no problem with making the working people at a shelter pay rent. There ARE child care subsidies, food stamps and other forms of assistance. Are they supposed to go through life saying "I can't pay my legally incurred bills because I have other expenses"? $345 a month in NYC? There are people who would give thier right arms for that low a rent. To all you who say I should show more compassion...sorry. No one is crying for ME and MY family because I choose NOT to be a single parent, I pay my rent (WAY more that $345), make my car payment, pay my utilities, buy my own groceries...you get the picture. I have other expenses too, but I pay my bills. It's about time we saw to it that more people did!
Not having to pay rent makes people dependent on shelters!? Are you kidding me? This childish conservative notion that poverty is entirely a rational decision people make is absolutely ridiculous. These people are homeless because they can't pay rent! If they can't pay the rent at the shelter guess where they go! Back on the streets.
I love how this is being deemed so "very republican." It has nothing to do with party. It's a stupid policy, plain and simple. This woman is obviously making an effort to do something more than sit on her butt and snort coke, and it's irresponsible to try to steal from someone like this. As a republican, and I speak for most republicans, we are just against such freedom with things like foodstamps being used for cigarettes and extreme welfare programs. When someone is honestly trying, though like this woman she should be assisted and motivated, not being told that her salary will be taken from her just because she has one...
To all of the people who believe that it is absurd that this woman or any other homeless person should have to pay rent, I have an idea for you. You all should get together and create a charity fund to pay her rent. Otherwise, if no one chooses to pay her rent, then we all get to pay her rent through our tax dollars along with her food stamps, health care, and a head start program for her child that she is most likely receiving. People make choices in life. It is time we let them deal with the consequences of their choices. Here's a little idea to think about. You have a group of people who are pulling a wagon. Then one person says I cannot pull the wagon, I think I'll ride instead. As each day goes by, one more person says I cannot pull the wagon, I think I'll ride instead. After many days, only a few people are pulling the wagon. The people still pulling say, this is not fair, why should we do all the work for everyone else? Finally, everyone gets in the wagon, and the wagon stops. Now no one is going anywhere.
Maybe the libs should donate money to help there fellow libs.People try and do the right thing, and to ask to help pay some type of rent is not a bad idea. Do you libs accually think this group is trying to profit off of them? I am sure you do. Maybe Osama can print more money to pay for this.....right?
Great. Let's penalize those working an honest job to get back on their feet while the welfare leeches and meth addicts get a free ride.
Again... common sense out the window. They say the policy is so no one becomes dependent on the system. Taking over $300.00 a month from a single Mom makes her MORE dependent on the system because it doesn't allow her to save up to move. DUH..
And the Mayor.. can anyone come up with a more lame excuse as "everybody is doing it"
I feel for her, but how many others are living in their own places, paying rent and additional taxes to pay for her NY apartment. Paying rent for a shelter is incentive to get out. on your own. These shelters should not be her long term residence. What is she using her money for? A cell phone bill? And look at the sneakers she is wearing. Will the City pay my rent so I can save all my money so that in a couple of years, I'll have enough money to rent a bigger and better place. NO!!!
So she is working mother, living in a homeless shelter, RENT FREE?
"Just making enough to feed her daughter and pay the bills"
WHAT BILLS????
being an active part in one's support important and benificial. choices good , bad and ill thought out put one in a shelter...having to shoulder some of the cost of being there , if you are able and earning a income, help to build a foundation of self support that you need to have in order to some day do without handouts
Maybe if she realizes she can pay rent to the shelter she will get motivated to move on and get a place of her own to pay rent.
Angel, I am sure that when working people are called upon by Congress to take additional funds out of your pay, you'll be the first one to jump up and say – yes, you can take mine – right?
I love the fact that this woman is working and getting herself back on track! I am sure if childcare is not provided at the shelter while she works that she gets aid to pay for childcare. Ive been fortunate and never lived in a shelter but isnt food provided there? I dont understand the comment that she makes about barely being able to afford food? But even if she is paying for food if shes working 40 hours at $8 an hour she is probably netting about 250/week. One adult and one child dont need a grocery bill of $250/week. So where are the other expenses? She isnt going to be able to live in the shelter forever so getting her started on paying rent is a great way to help her get back on her feet. I dont think its cruel at all
I am amazed that people think the government has some sort of DUTY to provide free housing, healthcare and food to anyone. All that money you want the government to give away is YOUR MONEY. (Assuming you pay taxes.) If you don't pay taxes, then shut up. If you think it's horrible that the government doesn't take care of people with your tax money, then why don't you offer this woman your home. (Which is what her family should have done). Did we all forget how this country came to be? Anyone who fought and died for self determination must be spinning in their graves.
This story has democrat written all over it. Yes it would appear that $345 a month would be cheap but that is $345 a month she could be saving to get a place of her own and reliable transportation. I would refuse to sign paperwork too. I think this is an example of what the true reality is, if she could afford some place else, she would gladly go but since she cannot, she is doing the best she can with what she has available for herself and her daughter. If they do have to charge, how about create a system that allows her to choose a reasonable amout to pay without causing additional financial hardship. I bet that if they are reasonable, she can be reasonable too. After taxes what % of her income does she really have left? It doesn't appear that she is getting a free ride, but a helping hand. How many of your had mommy and daddy pay for your college education or get that first car at 16? Since we don't know her whole story, we cannot suggest to her to get off her rear end and start paying. Maybe she is trying to save to go back to school to have a better life. $345 a month is a great way to save for college. You are lashing out without knowing her circumstances, again very democratic. She at least has a job, not like those that show up and keep getting the free ride. If you want to bash someone, let's hear the story about the folks in the shelter there receiving it all for free and not even trying. Those are the folks we should be looking at.
Spread the wealth around.
My feeling is you should begin by taking care of your own first, (that being American CITIZENS), then help others, do you hear that Obama? The homeless do need help but they also need to help themselves, shelters are in need as well especially with all the cuts our illustrious leaders love to dole out, strange how the cuts always seem to affect the most needy first. Perhaps those more able should contribute food or volunteer time to help the shelters out instead of pointing fingers, I don't know, just a thought
I don't know what Princesses finances are but I think she should contribute if able the only thing is how much!
Be a class as less as importent in society...poor,forseken, ,hommless...heros,only ones with sincere"god bless you"
They choose this expierience to give us a chance to evolve..
but we lost our humanity...
The life you save mabybe your own...
Mr.Politician you want the truth..take a good, long,hard look at
the mirror..
Catch 22?
lower the rates to encourage independece but provide essential childcare >300 is a bit steep something between 150 and 200 is more reasonable
These comments are heartless and ridiculous. And make all kinds of assumptions – they assume that she gets free daycare, free food, and somehow turn living in one room in a shelter (which can be unsafe and unstable in many instance, and certainly in all instances is very very different from a "furnished apartment") into the same thing as renting an efficiency. This is a woman who is trying to make a better life for her family- not mooching, or being lazy, or trying not to get back on her feet- she's working. It seems like the people commenting think living in a shelter with your child is a fine arrangement, and that charging her a large amount of money to live in the shelter is both generous (where else can you find housing at that price in NYC?- ha-as if it's interchangeable with living in an efficiency) and also somehow makes it more likely that she will get back on her feet and be encouraged to leave. But this seems to forget that she needs to save money in order to do that- money for a security deposit, money for a down payment, money for a mattress for her kid to sleep on, etc. Taking such a huge chunk of her monthly pay sets that back quite a ways. The city of New York paid over 1.3 billion for two brand new stadiums- one with seats so expensive that they can't be sold. That's ridiculous.
I sit somewhere in the middle of the posts that (many times bitterly) state paying to live in a homeless shelter is at the least fair, and those that post this country is shameful for it.
I feel it should be assessed on individual basis. If you're not at work and are disabled in one way or another from working clearly you shouldn't have to pay.
If you are working but paying the rent places a hardship that is likely to lead to the vicious cycle of being stuck in the homeless shelter, than those people should be cut a break too.
But if you're parking you're BMW outside the shelter, or you're buying either diamond stud earrings or putting all your extra income in T-Bills then yeah you should have to pay rent in the homeless shelter.
Ridiculous.
They need to paysomething. The problem is goverment. We wipe everyones but and make them feel like they could live for free forever. That's BS. If they work and are makeing money why is she still living in the shelter in the 1st place. I still can't belive when I hear it's not fair they want to charge me money to stay here . Nothing in life is free,. Maybe if you didn't have a kid at 16 then u would'nt have this problem. People gotta start taking responceability for there own actions . Instead you all look to the Gov for a handout. Give me a break!!!!
What I don't understand is how someone lives in New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the world, and wonders why they are having a hard time making rent...I know it isn't easy moving to a new place, but geez, New York? I can't afford to visit there, much less set up shop.
How can these people ever get self sufficient again? Having them pay something is fine, there should be emphasis on working their way OUT! Help them with financial planning but I don't think making them pay almost all that they have is cruel. It sounds like the justice system here in KC, they DONT want you to leave, you become their paycheck. Wake up NYC, help these people help themselves then nobody can complain about free handouts etc. I pray that anyone posting negative comments on this NEVER have to walk a day in the shoes of the homeless, including our VETS whome nobody seems to care about these days – this should not be happening in this great country of ours, its an embarrassment to the very principals we "stand" on. God help us all.
Are you kidding me saying that $345.00 is OK?
Let's see....First of all, she will pay all that money not for an apartment, but for a "luxury" of living in a SHELTER! Have you, guys, been to a shelter? Do you realize that it is not an apartment and not even a low-grade hotel?
If a person works part-time on a minimum wage, more than a half of his or her monthly income will go forward this so-called rent.
Just do the month and get a real picture before bashing someone for inability to pay for something that she does not even want in the first place!
She needs a real home for her child and herself, not that hole she is in now.
Mayor Bloomberg sometimes needs to think twice before making the comments.
What can you say about a leader who wants to lay off a bunch of people working for the very same city he is running so he can close the budget deficit?
What can you say about a person who taunted a disabled person for almost 2 minutes only because that guy's music player has accidentially started playing during Bloomberg's press-conference?
And what can you say about a politician who has no guts to stand up for New Yorkers who were not so fortunate as the rest of us?
This can go on and on and on.....
Is that the person we want for the 3rd term?
May be this woman should just drop everything, move out of NY and never look back again.
Sometimes I am ashamed I am a New Yorker when I see what is happening around me.
If you have any income, pay like everyone else. I raised my daughter without child support, without handouts, without a college degree. There is no reason for anyone to be homeless with kids. Put the kid in a relative or foster home for some sense of normalcy. Let the mom go figure out her life. If she cannot take care of herself, she cannot take care of her kid. If she has a source of income, she should pay like everyone else. No free rides in life.
Wrong, Wrong Wrong....do the right thing.....please...how else will we save ourselves if you guys dont start doing the right thing
To Bret:
You said, "I would sure like to drive a Bentley but I don’t have the money for it so I don’t have one because I know I wouldn’t be able to support myself or my family." This woman doesn't have a home because she can't afford it. I highly doubt she has some nice car sitting outside the shelter if she even has a car at all. Having a car in NYC is expensive in itself. I'm pretty sure if it came down to a decision between a roof over her head and some miscellaneous luxury, she'd choose the roof.
Also, "...get a better paying job..." - that is much easier said than done in this day and age. I'm sure if it were that easy, she would have done it. People with stacked resumes can't find jobs in this economy. People will do ANYTHING to keep their children out of the situation that this woman is in. This is a last resort for her.
Like someone else said, if this is the case, why not quit your job? I see this law backfiring.
Oh, Boo Hoo, she has to pay rent. I am single mother, I worked 2 jobs to support my daughter with out any hand out from anyone. No I do not have any sympathy for women like her. I see people like her everyday handing out in from of the homeless shelter or projects, when I am walking to catch the subway at 8am for work and when I come back at 6pm, Sitting there, cussing, bitching, if they can hang out all, they can work. Do you know how many programs is available for homeless children that allow their parents to work, programs I cannot get my child into, because I make too much money. So no sympathy, also where is the fathers, why cannot they help............
I think the answer is to have them pay reasonable rent, but that money is refundable toward permanent housing when they are able to leave.
The program should strongly support the people who are working hard to get on their feet and root out the freeloaders.
Sometimes it aint that easy in the real world. I know Democrats would love the world to hold hands and sing love songs but it aint reality. I dont want a socialized country. $345 in NYC after an extended period of time is pretty reasonable. How much are typical rents in NYC? I want the government to be stingy with my money. Good job NYC.
How very Republican. It’s a horrible state of affairs when this country fails its citizens on so many levels. This also encourages the homeless NOT to work. She’d likely be better off loafing around the shelter and taking care of her kid and not working. That’s pathetic. Here is a woman — representative of many other homeless — who is trying desperately to carve out a life for herself and her child. I”m sure she doesn’t WANT to live in a shelter — but it’s all she has for now. And if they’d get off her back, she might be able to afford an actual home for her and her child. But no — they want to take what little she’s got. I hope Bloomberg is comfy and cozy in his mansion.
This story is way off. CNN should so some research on shelters, SRO's and social services. The $345 is for living in an SRO (and I'm not sure if $345 is correct because I was under the impression it was closer to $250 in NYC, but this may be the current rate).
While this program (SRO) is part of NYC social services; its actually not a shelter – its sort of a halfway house. The $345 (if that number is correct) includes utility and social services helps out with childcare and job placement (in theory; job placement in this job market is extremely challenging, even for minimum wage jobs). They are helped to put on programs like food stamps and welfare.
The program is designed to create space in actual shelters – this is more like an apartment with a shared bath and kitchen.
SRO Residents ARE required to provide for themselves (with the aid of food stamps, welfare etc).
The homeless shelters themselves require residents to work to stay. They need to be alchohol/drug free during the stay. They are given a locker, a bed, dinner and donuts/coffee in the morning. When they earn money (they are required to) they give 90% of it to the shelter (this may be different depending on the shelter) and keep 10%. The shelter holds this money in an account for them. When the resident of the shelter is ready to leave (usually to move into an SRO) they get all the money in the account back.
CNN YOU FOOLS. WHY DON'T YOU ACTUALLY RESEARCH HOW HOMELESS SHELTERS AND SOCIAL SERVICES WORK before writing an article like this.
This situation shows how hypocritical those are who say the poor should just pick themselves up by their bootstraps. I no longer live in NY (and that was upstate, not NYC). But I cannot believe that people who are in shelters but trying to work, are lazy and partying and should be charged for all the wonderful perks they are getting (can you spell W-O-R-K-I-N-G P-O-O-R). Charging them will put them back on the streets in many cases. Are theft, petty crimes, prostitution and panhandling to get money, better that a shelter and some legitimate income? And in this economy, forget family members in most cases.
This writer has kept family members off the streets for over three years through a combination of financial support and having them live with us (after they lost their home). And in the last 9 months, I lost a job, a car, and a home back in NY that wouldn't sell for 3 years finally ending in foreclosure. The family members can find no work even through temp services in this area; I only found a part time job. The problem is that in many geographic areas there is job Armageddon; both middle class and low income people can be on a precipice to ruin. The people who say charge those in shelters, have not lived in the real world for a very long time. God help them if they someday find themselves in a place of fear, desperation and want.
Wait, I can work AND get my housing for free? Where do I sign up?
I think the issue here is the cost of child care. While I agree that a certian portion of what she earns should go towards contributing for facilities maintenance and food, what is she suppose to do with the child while at work? How about transportation to and from work? I'm not even getting into the cost of health care here!
Where's the father of this child?
As far as I can see, she's doing the right thing as she found a job caring for other people's kids – likley people who have a lot mroe $$$ than she does.
Julie, I agree with you. We should help the poor especially in this young lady's case. Some people are so quick to turn up their nose and scoff at the poor. When Jesus walked the earth, he was all about helping the poor. But some of these people commenting are just ridiculous and ignorant. God forbid if any of them should walk in this lady shoes. No one knows what it's like for the poor until you have been brought down to your lowest. It's all about money money money with greedy corporate America. Why make this young lady and countless others like her pay for rent when she can't afford to? She's living a public shelter which funds for those expenses should come from the budget of the state. We can bail out the greed on Wall Street but can't bail out the poor people suffering and needing a place to lay their head unless they pay for it. This is not right.
how "REPUBLICAN"? Let's not forget the law was passed under the Cuomo administration in 1997.
She is working, trying to make a living – I would suggest teaching her personal finances first, then perhaps after a certain time period, start charging her rent.
And to all those on here saying if she works, she should pay. Note: she works in a daycare center where working parents pay probably $250-350 a week for one child, all while she is probably making minimum wage or in the neighborhood of $6-7 an hour. $6-7 dollars an hour is not a lot of money.
Our country brags about how millionaires there are now compared to a decade or so ago – know why? Because all of the middle income jobs that pay in the range of $25000-50000 are gone!! Those who own companies know they can get away with slavery-type salaries because there are no jobs. And it will only get worse.
I think charging a fee isn't necessarily a bad idea, but it should be a very small amount so that the person is still able to get back onto their feet and move on with their lives. A nominal sum would show commitment and make the person feel like they are a contributing member to society and give them a sense that they can make it on their own. Maybe something like maybe 4% of their income – 15,00/year would pay $50/month. This would allow them to build up a buffer so that they can move on to make it on their own.
I'm sure given the preference, almost all people will want to move out to be on their own, but they need to feel like they have a fighting chance.
Finally! A policy that makes sense! THANK YOU NEW YORK!!!!
Why is someone with a job making money required to pay rent? Really, can't she just have her job and stay at the shelter rent free? I mean what are taxes for anyway if not to pay for her to stay in the shelter; roads, schools, infrastructure? It's time for the government to step in a start building more shelters for people to stay in rent free and never have to worry about paying rent. It's just common sense that if the shelter is going to make you pay rent then she will just quit her job so she won't have to, but if the shelter doesn't make her pay a portion of her salary then of course she will save that money for rent........makes total sense.
Bloomberg's a BILLIONAIRE. Let him pay!
Okay, instead of blasting both sides of this why can't everyone just try to think of a way to make it good for both sides.
They could make it to where if you have had a steady income for six months then you have to start paying rent. Have a financial advisor at the shelter to help those with jobs set up a savings account and make a budget. It's true that some people may take advantage of it and never have a job for more then six months, but that will be a problem no matter what the solution. That's just the way it is, someone will always take advantage.
But both sides in this argument are true. You can't let them live for free indefinitely, that's wouldn't be helping them it would just be enabling them. And you also can't hit them while they are still down. Give them warning and time to save up for it. Give them a chance.
God forbid that she have to work and pay for something. How dare they challenge the idea that she gets a completely free ride. She should be put in prison and the girl should be adopted by someone who isn't an incompetent moron.
I think it is ridiculous to ask someone at a homeless shelter to pay rent. If anything, this nation needs more homeless shelters.
This is distorted thinking.
Does seem stupid, you should charge the ones not working and give incentive to those who are. However.... there is still little or no excuse to be homeless in the country. That is a quote from several immigrants I know. The immagrants are not homeless, only the lazy Americans.
Oh and this is not a Republican or Democrat thing, this is just common sense getting flushed here.
I see that Bloomberg was a Democrat before seeking elective office, switched his registration in 2001. He has a little of each snake in him.
So what? they're just collecting minimal rent .Where else can you live in NYC for $345 per month (including food)?
Where's the daddy? I know..he's on some street-corner with his friends. Make that idiot pay the $345 per month.
I'm tired of being every ghetto-woman's baby daddy.
People should not look to government to suppy all their needs. they need to look at GOD who is rich, full of mercy and compassion, and his supply never runs out. He owns everything!!!!! Try trusting him and worshipping him, it works!!!
When are we going to have a revolt in this country to fix all the unfairness in our goverment? Only the rich stay rich. Meanwhile, all of us suffer with, low pay, high medical costs, food, gas, taxes, education, and insurances increases. On top of these failures, more things spiral downward such as marriages, mortgages, credit, etc.
If you are so disgusted by the idea that people need to help themselves, please open up your home and take a family in – then provide food, clothing, transportation, and whatever else is needed.
This is a society issue, not a democrat or republican party issue.
Yes, we should help people in need, however, no one pays my mortgage or feeds me each month.
For the record, it appears she is wearing some recent Air Max 90s which run about $100+. Sometimes it is the big, evil government; and other times it is people who make poor choices and need to have someone else govern their lives. It is sad, but it is also sad when we as a country pick up the tab for others irresponsibility
I need more information before I comment:
Did mom finish high school?
How much does she make?
Where's the Dad?
If you switch "subsidized housing" for "homeless shelter", there wouldn't even be a story here. If she's working a minimum wage job at $7.15/hour, full time is $286/week. After taxes it's at least $200.
They're asking for ~30% of her salary for room and board for 2 people. Seems reasonable.
Mayor Bloomberg – "Everyone else is doing it." Wow, so if other city's mayors are jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, are you going to do it too?
Plus Princess has a job and has trouble paying the bills, if she's not paying rent yet, what bills are there besides health insurance (i hope) for her daughter? Hope its not for unlimited text.
I totally agree about them doing this because I lived in a woman's shelter where I had to pay rent and I feel it taught me about responsibility and learning how to "balance my budget". The shelter even went beyond in regards to the people who worked had to pay rent, they even had the women on Welfare or Social Security pay a portion too. It was all the same portion like 30% of our income just like they do with public housing and Section 8. This helped me SO much and I am very grateful they did this!!!
In response to "not completely a bone headed idea" person:
'making free loaders pay rent to try to get them on their own seems to make ‘tough love’ sense'
free loaders?? tough love? who the heck are you to judge who is what ? What comes around goes around my friend... Think before you talk....NOBODY wants to be homeless...and those people that are ...need help...support...education...so they can come out of it stronger and wiser....they DO NOT need to be hit with an invoice every month asking for funds they DO NOT have....
its so sad to see this.....more research and investigations and options need to be discussed....not this....definitely not this....
how much lower can this get? and the city's mayor Michael Bloomberg, defended the policy saying, “Everybody else is doing it, and we’re told we have to do it, so we’re going to do it.” – THATS A prime example of a SPINELESS HUMAN BEING. Stand up for yourself and your state....DEMAND and ARGUE....dont be a follower when you have the ability to make change and be a true leader...
So, this girl works at a daycare, lets say she makes $9.00 an hour, if its full time, that's 360/ wk-taxes= 300 take home a week x 4.25 (weeks per month) that's 1275 take home pay a month. She most likely pays about 150 a month in daycare( the gov already has a program for that) if her daycare isn't free for being an employee there. Say she has a car payment for 300 a month, insurance for 100, and a phone for 60. The shelters usually give you free clothes, food and diapers. This adds up to $610.00. I can't foresee what other payments she might be making, by the time your homeless you have probably already quit paying off old bills, student loans, and credit cards. That leaves her with $665.00 a month. I doubt she actually has all the bills I listed...... Unfortunately this will likely never actually pay rent, water and electric at any place, so she would be better off getting another job, or a roommate or something. I do understand the shelter making her pay rent- they do that here in Peoria, IL at both shelters. Otherwise I don't see this girl leaving anytime soon- because she can't afford it. But by charging her "big people" bills, it might make her see that what she is doing now isn't working.
Also, the comments about how they should save her rent and give it back to her after a while would help with the initial cost of moving, but because her job won't sustain an appt, she will eventually be in the same place a few months down the road when the saving has run out and she is trying to pay all her bills with the $655 that's left over.
If you can't afford children, don't have them! Take some dang responsibility for yourself. I've worked as many as 3 jobs at a time to make sure ends meet. I just don't understand why people who are irresponsible should be rewarded at the expense of those who are responsible.
I think asking people living in shelters to set aside money in a savings account for a future home/apartment for their family is a good idea.
I *do not* think requiring them to pay $325 in rent is a good idea. If she had extra cash to toss around or pay rent with, don't you think she'd be doing that?
$325 is roughly the cost of a week of DECENT childcare in NYC. If she can't pay for daycare, how is she going to work at ALL? Would the state rather have this girl leave the shelter and raise her little girl on the street? Apparently.
Most Republicans consider themselves Christian.
But Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me" (Matthew 25:40)
And, Republicans put us in the pre-emptive war in Iraq, but Jesus said, "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone."
So, Republicans, the real question here is why do you call yourselves Christian when you hate the teachings of Jesus?
I agree with have a person pay for living somewhere.
I don't understand why people think that the government has to pay for everything they do. I understand helping people but only helping not covering the hole bill. Get up and work and do what you can with what you have if thats to much rethink what you are doing and try again learn to stand on YOUR 2 feet.
I also think that if someone has a kid and is useing any government help that they should NOT be aloud to have anymore kid(s) till they can pay for the person the brought into this world.
MAKE PEOPLE WORK FOR WHAT THEY WANT DON'T JUST GIVE IT TO THEM.
Well, obviously this just makes it even harder for these folks to get out of the shelters and into homes of their own.
I think this is a great idea. It encourages them to get the skills and get a better job. They should charge everyone in the shelters, not just those with jobs.
Why should they live free? Why shouldn't I just quit my job, live in a shelter and have no more worries?
For those saying it is too much out of their minimum wage job – don't forget that they'll get earned income credit, so actually have negative taxes.
Barbara- I'm wondering where the logic is in saying that paying rent will make someone lose their job. I'm not advocating charging homeless people for room at a shelter (and besides, with what they're charging this woman she could get an apartment with a roommate. I think the charge is ridiculous), but I don't see how having bills makes you lose your job.
Kristin- I;d like to see where your numbers are coming from saying that we're the only industrialized nation that cannot take care of it's citizens. Take a look at the industrialized nation of China. Or, perhaps, Mexico. Point being, we're not doing any worse than others out there- especially in this economy right now. Every nation is struggling. Of course, we could be Iceland.
Not saying that this is a great idea, charging the homeless, but at least use logical arguments to refute the charge, not making up arguments that aren't true.
I agree with the policy. The other side of the coin is not that they'll stay in the shelter longer because they can't afford to leave but that they stay longer because they are getting free rent. What is their incentive to leave? There are many other programs out there to aid working families get into their own homes if they work and want to make the effort.
This is what happens when Democrats are in office. It is unfortunate that the homeless cannot pay rent after spending their money on booze and drugs. If people do not want the homeless to pay rent, please visit a homeless shelter and give them your money so the residents can continue their vices.
Well, if I were going to be paying rent for a place I want my own room with my own bathroom. I thought everyone shared everything which isnt right if your charging for rent!!!! Make it like my own little apt.
How does it cost so much to house homeless people? Four walls and a roof. Maybe some insulation. That's it. Beds would be at one's personal expense, if you can afford a cot and a sleeping bag, good for you, if you can't, too bad, sleep on the cement and dream of the day you can afford to buy a $5 pillow. Showers are coin operated, like at a car wash, if you only have a few cents, your shower is very short. Electricity in coin operated outlets. Want to charge a cell phone? Plug it in and drop a quarter, when your time is up, the juice ends. Don't charge them for the roof over their heads, charge them for the luxuries, like electricity and showers. Feed them gruel or porridge.
Here comes the flame but, I agree with some of this policy. We should charge for this service! However 2 things need to happen first.
1) Untie our charities and churches so they can provide this to the public for free.
2) Don't just drop this bill in someone lap and expect them to pay it starting the 1st. Give them a year free then start out at say $20-40 a month and increase every month after until you get to a reasonable rate. $345 for a cot is dumb.
The wonderful part about step one is if you do it right you won’t need step two.
I agree these laws are bolsheveik.
I mean what the heck?
:P(.)
Let's charge the ones who refuse to work, are alcoholics or drug addicts, and just plain lazy rent. Seriously people, do you think anyone would seriously WANT to live in a homeless shelter. I'm sure every working person staying in any shelter across the country is doing so so that they can better their situation. What's the point in making it harder on them so taxpayers have to pitch in to take care of them longer?
Now if she was an illegal alien she could get everything for free. It is pretty sad that we charge hard working LEGAL americans, who are only trying to better themselves, for every little thing. Even if it will only make their situation worse. But, if you jump the fence we will gladly pay for all your needs. No questions asked. Maybe she sholud just renounce her citizenship, become a day laborer and all her financial problems will go away. Makes sense to me. In fact, maybe I will do that. ENOUGH ALREADY. Take care of the people who actually care about this country.
Here's an idea... why not help the working homeless create a budget. Hire someone to work with the homeless and teach them money management skills, help them set up a savings account, and help them learn how to make and stick to a budget (maybe the city could learn from the "sticking to budget" part, too). That way the shelter knows what the person is capable of paying and the person also has a road map for their finances and future. They could take a percentage of the "rent", match it for a percentage of the income for savings, and help the person put money in the bank so they can save for a deposit on an apartment. Teach them life skills necessary for managing their money and help them see how it works. That's a win-win – the city gets some rent to off-set their costs, the individual learns valuable skills in managing money AND they are able to save and get out of public shelters more quickly. Seems like common sense to me.
I saw a statement. People who are homeless should not have to pay rent nor should they have to pay child care. the government should have to pay. Why is it the Goverments "RESPONSIBILITY" to pay for any ones home. These shelters are a gift from the government or more correctly I should say the tax payers of the US. I do feel compasion for those who are homeless but I also beleive that if you give something to someone they will abuse it. If you make them earn it they will take care of it. We tend to see homeless people in one light based on images we see portrayed in movies or media. These images are typically worse case scenarios and not the working "homeless". Is it right to "TAKE" from someone to give to someone else. At what time to we stop making it profitable to live off of the state and give people the inspiration and motivation to go out and live up to their abilities. Wellfare and other publicly funded organizations are meant to be temporary not a permanent living situation but where is the motivation to get off public assistance when it is profitable to stay on. After all publicly funded organizations are just that funded by the public (taxpayers). Please remember the government does not earn money they take money from those who earn it if they kept their fingers out of our pockets we would all have a little more to give to charity to help out those in need and not watch the govt frivolously spend away the money they take.
No one asked her to have a baby.....why doesn't she join the military?
I lived at a homeless shelter for bout' 6 years and i never had to pay a cent until i was back on me feet. now ive got two cars and a kid named bobert. I'm a pro basket weaver and enjoy long walks on the desert. thank you,
*<: ) -me wearing a hat with tinsel on top
I doubt this single mom with a child who works for a daycare... which normally only pays around 9/per hour in one of the most expensive cities in the world is driving around in a Bentley! I have said it once and will say it again... if you make less than $200,000 and live in NYC then you are just stupid. It cost too much money to live in that fake city. Move here to Ohio where for $345 you can get a 700 sq ft 1 bedroom apt and a monthly bus pass only cost $40 a month!
She should pay rent. I am not sure if 30% (which is the normal amount for subsidized housing) is the answer. Maybe they should collect 345 and then take $100 for rent and place the other $245 into a savings account for her. Once she has saved up enough for the 1st month and deposit and maybe some furniture then help her find an apt to move into? That would help far more than just charging her rent.
To all those with their comfy jobs I hope you lose your job one day and have to rely on the help of others til you get back on your feet. Then you may know what it's like to be in her place..
There is a solution to helping the poor in this nation. Give more taxcuts to the filthy rich. If there are no taxes that the filthy rich have to pay give them negative tax breaks– but some needs to tell the bullionaire conservative god Rush limbaugh that we were doing just that for the last 14 years since the republiscum took power.
Of course! Our government hates poor people! The next step is concentration camps...Thanks!!!
I don't mind them having to pay something but if homeless people had the money they wouldn't be where they are correct? Something should be paid, yes, but not $300 a month. Those working mom's are trying to save to get out of the shelter and have a place of their own. It's just too much.
After a grace period of free room and board, people who have jobs should pay something to help the others in the shelter who have no jobs. That is just the way it is. It is not a tremendous amount of money. If she leaves she will be paying for rent, food and other expenses. I work for a non-profit and we house many that would otherwise be homeless. Once they get employment, they pay a shall amount toward housing and food and learn to save up a deposit and first months rent for their own place.
I feel homeless people should pay a little rent. If they are going to be begging for money and living somewhere, they should be paying a little for it. I can't believe the rent would be very much. I pay a ton of money into government assistance programs, but feel I will never utilize these services because I work hard and am financially smart. So why should I pay for these services that I will never utilize.
For all of you blaming this on Republicans, think again! This law was enacted in 1997, when the New York legislature was DEMOCRAT controlled. So let's hear all the idiot liberals justify this one!!!
I'm SHOCKED at some of the comments on this blog. People assuming she's has a baby WHILE being homeless, or WANTING to be homeless so she can have freebies and live off the system? Really? It's sick. Millions of people have become HOMELESS because of Bush and his cronies bankrupting our country. Those people have families, and debt, but have probably been forced into these situations with no choice but to be in a shelter!
Think about it, do you really believe she LIKES being homeless? She barely makes enough money to pay for her food and other expenses. Even if by some miracle she makes $800-1000 per month, do you think you could live off of that? Rent, utilities, food, gas, clothes, medical expenses etc. Hell no! Getting back on her feet takes time, but if you take half her income away every month, how do you expect her to move on?
This law makes so much common sense!!! I appluad Bloomberg for inacting it. What make me so sad is to see "princess"'s daughter living like this, what kind of person gets pregnant, has no resources, a steady job, no family support, and brings a child into her world of chaos and unbalance? I blame princess for her troubles, not america.
You people are just as disgusting as the government that represents us. I have actually been homesless, when I was 8 my mother left her abusive husband and as a stay at home mother she had nothing when she left, but the clothes on her back and two kids. After one month she was able to find a job doing something and after three months she had enough money to move us out of the shelter. She didn't drink, smoke, and had never used government assistance before, and because she was "working" and appeared to be $10 above the poverty line she wasn't eligible for free childcare. Our stay at the shelter was terrible, people stole from us, treated us like crap, and each day we woke up we did what we needed to do to get the hell out of there. NO REASONABLE PERSON wants to live in a shelter. Try staying there for one night then determine if some premuim should be paid.
Now, I depise free loaders but the homeless aren't the free loaders. If anything cut welfare income for women with children over the age of 5, and place a cap on the number of children people can receive assistance for...such a maximum of 3 children...I dont want to pay for catholics or anyone else who won't use birth control and are too lazy to get up and work... This is where we need to cut cost.
The politicians job is to help people not kick them out. If they want to do something; help the homeless find work that pays a living wage.
Social workers should be payed a living wage ($15.00/hr). Why do we allow hospital to pay $8/hr. to people taking care of our sick people.
The cost of care is $40,000-$60,00/yr.)surely we can afford to pay the social worker a living wage.
The city of NY is no different; the American people are not compassionate.
we can send missionaries over seas but not help at home..
Perhaps we won't feel guilty if we can leave our missionary site an come home.
Interesting scenario. The federal government is willing to doll out billions in taxpayer dollars to help corporate America remain solvent but God forbid the state government is willing and flexible enough to assist hard working yet homeless families struggling to get by. I believe in earning your keep but there comes a time when we need to be a little more compassionate – a saying the Bush administration gave a lot of lip service to but never fulfilled. Believe me, the GOP has a lot to learn given the results of November 2008 election. Try living in her shoes a month or two. Nobody wants to find themselves hungry and homeless.
I work in this field and I can't tell you how discouraging it is when I encounter a person coming to our free clothing closet, living on food stamps for not one two or even three years, but 10! and this is not a situation where a few are doing it, it's a culture here. I person will have more then enough money to live on, but not enough to get their hair and nails done, buy some liqour or beer and cigs or eating fast food on top of the food stamps they receive. Cell phones and designer apparrell all the while living in city housing on stamps, with absolutely no intention of " empowering" themselves. I've heard mothers in the lobby talking to their 15 16 17 yr old daughter saying that this is owed to them for slavery and civil rights. Poor White trash tell their kids its' the black man and hispanics fault, that there's nothing they can do and it has nothign to do with their beer addiction.And every year their population increases with the mommas bringing their grand kids in with medicaid in their name in order to stay under our income limit, it's a hustle and now D.S.S has made it worse buy not looking at the home situation, Cars and jewelery and these things, tatoos, need to be counted as wealth and obvious choice issues.
The poor in this country are a result of what happens when self serving societies like the one from harvard are allowed to make all the choices, I think everyone in this great nation should get food stamps, and free and seperate building housing. Freedom is not choosing from a preselected list. Beleiving in god is what confuses me so much. All of our leaders claim to have faith, everyone of them yet they only support a system of proving ones self to more "wealthy" people. If you beleive in God, and consider yourself good, then you can not stand for a system that forces people to compete for HIS gifts, land and food are our birth rite and it's sad that our society makes the two, especially land, a form of class control. Spacious living quarters that person can feel safe in and pass on to their offspring, how damned hard is that to figure out.
To all of you complaining why don't you open your home(s) to the home less (Silence fills the air). I agree 340 a month is very cheap for a place to live in NY. If your not going to open your home for the home less then shut up. Someone said it was very republican. Under the last mayor this would have never happened and it never did. You all voted for him (Bloomberg) so stop your crying. So not only are they getting public assistance now they have to pay rent. Bloomberg is ripping you people off. Hope you like what you voted for.
This is a thought, our first president in his fairwell addres stated "Beware of entangling roots with other countries", this may possibly mean that we shouldn't get so far in debt with foreign countries that we become dependent on them, which we have; or it could mean that when two other countries get into a conflict that we shouldn't waste our assets to assist them just trying to play peacekeeper, which we have. The USA could possibly be one of the countries in the most debt right now but we sure spend alot more given aid to other countries instead of our own. I agree that charging for rent can only furthermore hurt the homeless in dire need of a break, however, there are places in this country where you can pay 350 a month for 2 bedrooms apartments, in stead of a homeless shelter. Maybe the city should invest in a relocation of homeless to towns and cities that need a workforce. Even the government could step in, 50 acres and a tractor to start over.
"Fear is conservative and hate is republican" It is very easy to prey on the weak and to exploit the poor. The typical conservative strategy is to demonize the ones that cannot fight back whilst to plunder even the very little they have. The amazing thing about Americans is that it is easy to rile them up for hate of some minorities that to rile them up for the common good . The prime reason why the American culture is doomed to fail as a society, just a matter of time unless they we take care of our own and put the hate monger right wing host in their proper place.
Punished for working? Isn't that what income tax is? The more hours you work, the higher your taxes. Take a second job, and the tax rate on the second job is usually much higher than the first. Having kids is "punishment" for unprotected sex. Being homeless is punishment for lack of foresight. Life is punishment for being born.
Unbelievable...A homeless mother, working, caring for a child and trying to get back on her feet is being asked to pay rent to live in a homeless shelter. What is NY trying to do? Put this mother and her child on the streets where they will be really "homeless". Come on NY, instead of kicking this woman while she is down, try helping her lift herself out of despair.
To all the homeless advocates:
If you took them home with you, they would not be homeless anymore. You feed em, shelter em and clean up after them. Done.
I guarantee all you commenters who say "oh, no big deal" to a homeless woman with a child having to pay $345 a month rent to live in a homeless shelter HAVE NEVER HAD TO PAY DAYCARE OUT OF YOUR PAYCHECK! Let's take the example that Isaac gave (who said her housing is only the first hour and a half of her work each day):
If she works full time at NY minimum wage, she makes $14,872 gross each year ($286 a week)
$345 rent is about 28% of that (about $80 a week)
SS and Medicare take out $22 a week
And daycare is at minimim $150 to $200 a week!
TOTAL: $252 to
That leaves absolutely nothing for the cost of transportation, clothes, food during her workday, medical copays, etc. etc.
We see NOTHING wrong with handing out $400 BILLION in CORPORATE welfare (just "good for business") but God forbid we give ONE PENNY to poor people!
In one town I lived in, the local YMCA provided shelter services to homeless individuals and families. Rent was $7 per day, regardless of whether you had a job or not. You had to be out at 7am and in by 5pm.. even if you were working a job that required you to work later than 5pm. No meals provided, no local "soup kitchen". If a couple was unmarried they were forced into different parts of the shelter, thus paying $14 per day in rent. For an unmarried couple with a family of just three whose job was far enough away for them to need reliable transportation, this was quite the dilemna... $345/mo rent to stay in a shelter? I've paid less than that for a crappy one bedroom apartment.
If rent is going to be charged, I think that a portion of that should be put aside into a special account and the funds then later presented back to the individual or family once they have obtained shelter of their own or leave the shelter.
Our president and his fellows didnt eat desert on last gala so money
can go to shelter.BRAVO-now they really can eat the cake!
I guess not many can sacrifice that much for this people
We become nation with green $$$$ in a place were heart should be
but wait to the end....like Jesus the Christ said they wiil be not able
to fit trough this ear of needle