representMEnyc

[representmenyc]

Looming #SNAP cuts will leave Americans hungry & hurt our economy. Don’t let #Congress push us over the #HungerCliff http://thndr.it/18VVVQu

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to Focus on issues regarding homelessness and HRA policies. Currently, we have a system where families are being either forced to live with relatives/friends in cramped or volatile conditions, or to ultimately live on the streets. DHS only defines clients as being homeless if they fall under the following categories: victims of domestic violence, child abuse, hurricane sandy or eviction. Subsequently, many families who are really homeless for other reasons are often turned away. Meanwhile, clients are often told that an ACS case will be opened if it is found that the client is in fact living on the streets. DHS/HRA is willing to spend thousands of dollars per month to house families in a shelter and pay for storage fees. These agencies are willing to even pay for a family to move to another city, state or country with relatives. However, they have not implemented any programs or more affordable housing for families which would help them achieve independent living and stability. DHS/HRA is still using antiquated policies that are geared for specific issues. So where does that leave the other families who desperately need help?”

  “I am a single mother raising a 3 yr old daughter in the shelter system. I became homeless after being diagnosed with a debilitating illness. I was not able to work because I was hospitalized approximately 8 times. Therefore I was not able to keep up with rent payments, etc. I entered into the shelter system in May 2013 because I had no other resources and needed help. Instead, I got the run around for approx.. 2 months being abruptly moved 4-5 times in different shelters. With help I was finally found eligible and I have been placed in a shelter in Harlem. However, prior to this, I endured the worst living conditions, such as rodent, vermin and insect infestations, growing mold and safety issues.”

[representmenyc]

I would like to see  affordable housing  really be offered to  low income people.  Currently the lottery and its process makes it impossible to get a nice affordable apartment in NYC.  Also,why is so much money spent monthly to keep people in shelters when it would be more feasible to implement a program to hep people with their rent and avoid evictions.

I would like to see financial programs offered such as how to fix your credit and have organizations offer workshops to assist those that would like to learn about financial management.  This could also be job opportunities for those that are unemployed.

I would like to see an more continuing education options for those that would like to return to school and financial assistance.

I would like to see more employment opportunities offered with decent salaries so we could actually afford to live in NYC.

                                                                                           -Liz C., Bronx, NY

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to open up section 8 for people living in the shelter system. also build more low income housing buildings for people with low income and make being homeless priority 1.”

  “We became homeless because of a personal issue me husband had with his sister bringing section 8 back and low income housing will help thousands of homeless people such as ourselves. find housing”

[representmenyc]

"I need the next mayor to:

Focus on employment for NYC residents - this will prevent so many people from entering shelters

Training and oversight for NYPD in terms of racial profiling so that constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens aren’t violated

Engage the mentally ill on the streets of NYC”

"I am from Augusta, Georgia and am a native son of this country. My ancestors built this country, I was raised by intellectuals, and my aunt was one of the first African American schoolteachers in our area. I believe in human rights and am an advocate - I would love to see racism, sexism, ageism eradicated. I am more concerned about the things we share in common than the things that make us different.

I have been in the shelter system a little under three years. I have never been in the system before. I come from an upper-middle class family in the South. I had no knowledge of the system. I had gotten laid off at the NYC Department of Records and Information Services. I was a clerk and was making a substantial salary. For six months, I received unemployment, and then only had savings left.  I have sent my resume out over 5,000 times and have only gotten 10 responses. I used to say to myself, why me? And then, I had an epiphany. Why not me? You thought that this would never happen to you, now it has happened to you, deal with it. I am a fighter, I am not going to just lay down."

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to

·         Decrease the Homeless Rate…

·         Decrease the unemployment Rate…

·         Provide both jobs and housing for those that want and need…”

  “Food for thought…If those that are skilled in construction, carpentry and laborers, rehab the existing (many) uninhabitable buildings in the city, this would both provide jobs for those unemployed and eventually provide housing for those who are homeless. Back to work programs would benefit from this. Providing job openings for many out of work New Yorkers, (No Unions) If monitored (no contract bidding etc.) We can put alot of New Yorkers back in stride to lead productive lives.”

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to:

What I need from the next mayor is fairness, honesty, and respect for ALL people, especially to those less fortunate. A mayor that’s not bias.

James B. Williams

SVP Board Member”

  “My name is James B. Williams SR. I was born and raised in New York, spent all my school years here. Then after high school I proudly served in the United States Air Force. Over the last 16 years in New York have been, in my opinion, unfair treatment to certain groups of people, African Americans, Latinos, immigrants from around the world. At times it has seemed like a dictatorship. Small businesses and street vendors (whom I proudly represent) have been treated unfairly. Needless to say we fought back and won with the help of the city council. Next mayor, please be fair.”

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to Help the Homeless.”

“Im 20 years old I have a 1 year old she’s my world. We currently stay in a shelter. We have been back and fourth to path for about 7 months no help at all there rude and dont want to help im trying to better my life for me and my child but without a stable place its hard. Because were always sitting at path for 11 hours a day. NY is expensive with little jobs so when people become homeless they dont want to help its not right.”

  *PATH (Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing) is the NYC intake center where homeless families with children can apply for shelter.

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to consider education first! In NYC public schools where it has been dismantled: {Teachers are educated to help students learn, understand, and become the best citizens within our society.} Help our students and teachers with real concern for the betterment of all."

      “As former educator, I was taught that education is always first.

  The Dept. of Educ. Has not been fair to 35,000 teachers who have been cut from employment that D.O.E. is responsible for.

We need a mayor who is understanding to this sort of behavior that exists within the entire New York City jobs i.e. teachers, firefighters ems etc. clericals, all employment, within NYC.

Help grow education as it is intended from the very start.”

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to

· Address equal opportunity housing issues for the GLBT and low income communities

· Get cooperation between realtors/landlords and city housing programs

· Get housing for homeless GLBT youth in SAFE neighborhoods

· Senior citizen issues – housing – SS income – afford medication

· Abolish stop and frisk; more police diversity training

· Diversity training for city employees – i.e. social services, SS, VA, etc

· Address employment opportunities for the unemployed; raise the minimum wage

· Bring back summer youth employment

· Work to increase funding to food pantries and social service organizations.

Thank you!”

[representmenyc]

"I need the next mayor to: build more charter schools, take drugs off the streets, build more houses for homeless people, more jobs, more police on trains and streets."

"The mayor needs to worry about more than soda when people don't have anywhere to live. I am thinking of moving out of state because of the living conditions here. I have been in that building 19 years and it's time to go. The way they treat you here is like garbage if you are on Section 8 or something like that. If a new mayor comes, we need better housing laws because the housing is never up to code. My landlord is getting money but they never do anything. We are being abused by landlords with the living conditions here, how much more abuse can we take?" 

[representmenyc]

"To have compassion and understanding for the downtrodden and homeless living in the mean, dangerous streets. Thank you and may God protect and bless the homeless."

"Considering the fact that I am homeless an important issue for me is housing. It is not easy living in the streets. For example I was living and sleeping in the park and two kids set me on fire and the cardboard I was sleeping on. I truly need to get off the streets considering the fact that winter is almost here and I don’t want to catch pneumonia again because I almost died.Thank you and I hope someone will help me. Thank you and God bless the homeless like myself." 

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to: budgeting the city’s money in a logical and fair way. Not just build housing, but REAL affordable housing w/out gentrifying neighborhoods. 80/20 is not fair and not good enough. Learn the AMI of neighborhoods you are rebuilding. Be more active in community events. Get to know those who vote for you. Understand minimum wage in no way can afford anyone a home/apt or proper housing single/married or especially family. The hiking of MTA and the lack of better service. Where is all of our fare going? When service seems to just get worse.”

“This issue has become more of an importence because I am head of household, because I am a mother. And not involved in a two income household where this city seems to tend to more. I need to build a security for my child so she does not have to experience the trials this city has inflicted on it natural born citizens especially. I was born/raised/educated in the city of New York and yet can’t afford a basic, comfortable living. I do not meet concierge/drivers/ and restaurants I can’t afford. I need housing/a decent paying job w/ skills I’ve strived to attain to be a part of the city I grew up in and be a working part of society and to not feel banished from it, by being PRICED out."

[representmenyc]

“My mayor would understand and act on circumstances which impact low income persons. Ie: There are numerous buildings which could be rehabbed—see cooper square (sweat equity/building management). We are all human beings—we bleed the same—we all need rest/respect etc.—not the police harassing for same.—the churches/organizations are by far more helpful and understanding than the institutions provided. Never mind all the statistics and paper—build and make more habitable buildings—‘If it’s not good for you, it’s not good for me either!’ Take pride in people and they will probably show pride in their actions and personality. Less talk more concrete action.”

[representmenyc]

"I need the next mayor to

1) Make housing affordable 4 middle & low income families (by appointing a panel of independent citizens to control rent increases & not their cronies & real estate development buddies)

2) Keep quote, unquote non-essential DOE employees (Ex. parent teacher liasons)

3) Tougher screening & standards for teachers & educators

4) Make stop & frisk the exception not the norm

5) If cuts have to be made, not only in low income areas (firehouses, community ctrs., senior ctrs., hospitals)

6) Better MTA service (keep cost at minimum)."

[representmenyc]

“I need the next mayor to fix light pollution, cleaner nyc street, cleaner nyc parks.”

[representmenyc]

"I need the next mayor to be more understanding with lower income familys. Be more reasonable with shelters and homelessness. Don’t push family’s into familys when they don’t even have the room’s for their own familys or income to help."

  "Am a 45 year old gentlemen, in the streets with no job. because off the downsizeing and lost of jobs. I still have my wife and a family member that would like to help me, but she can’t because her house is full of her kids and grandkids so I turn to the shelter in N.Y.C. and they turn me down because they say as long as I have a breathing relative I can move in with her or him. Even if I have to sleep on the floor or bathtub. Now you tell me would you do that to yourself?"