Bloomberg says he will appeal a judge's decision on a controversial homeless-intake policy
Bellevue homeless shelter. cuttlefish, via flickr.
4:40 pm Feb. 21, 20121
A city court ruled today that single homeless people don't have to prove that they have no other options before becoming eligible for admission to city homeless shelters. The ruling is a rejection of a city proposal that had already prompted the City Council to threaten a lawsuit against the administration.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg reacted strongly to the ruling, defending the city's proposed policy change.
"The law requires that we provide shelter," said the mayor. "But you cannot say, ‘I’m tired of paying my rent, therefore the taxpayers of New York City should just pay my rent,' OK? That’s not reasonable."
The policy in question would require unmarried invidivuals to prove that they have no other place to live. When the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless found out about the new policy late last year, they filed suit in court.
During a hearing last month, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge was skeptical of the city's arguments.
Today, she ruled on the plaintiffs' behalf.
The city intends to appeal her ruling.
"Today’s ruling focused only on the administrative process used to communicate the eligibility procedure for single adults entering the City’s shelter system," said Seth Diamond, the commissioner of the department of homeless services, in a statement. "Judge Gische’s disappointing decision does not undermine the City’s strong reasons for developing this common sense procedure, nor does it make any determinations about its legality other than ruling on the method used to issue it. The City plans to appeal the decision.”
During the question-and-answer portion of a press conference this morning at the Brooklyn Public Library's central branch, the mayor indicated that the city would continue to seek to implement the new policy.
"We’re going to do everything we can to have the ability to do it," said Bloomberg. "Or let the judges explain to the public why they think that you should just have a right to walk in and say, 'Whether I need services or not, you give it to me.' I don’t think that’s what this country’s all about."
I live in a homeless shelter and it is no place to live. They really need to inspect 400 East 30th St. The so-called" Callahan" inspection is a farce. Their exist windows that don't open or close. Their are waterbugs, mice, rats, and other vermin that exist in this palace. Yet, they have the nerve to turn people away, but the people are putting their lives in danger. The accumulation of toxic dust in the stairways from not being cleaned is a hazard. The "City" should be fined just like the landlord that violate RPL 235(A)and the people should be treated as the "State" law specifies under the Social Service Law. The food in this facility is a joke and the people should be arrested for serving it. A diabetic in this facility is being fed "poison" a diet of sugar filled foods. A lot of pasta but very little vegetables, and nothing nutricious. They the "City" gives no help but they claim they are helping the homeless. This the biggest lie on the planet, and if they really wanted to help they would make the bankers pay. Make them donate money to the city homeless agencies, and let them pay to fix and upkeep the properties which house the homeless.