Steven Banks, the commissioner of the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services.
The city’s top official in charge of social services housing and programs wrote a letter on Friday to veterans telling them that they’ll start moving into new apartments set aside for them on West 95th street starting next month. The letter was sent the day after West Side Rag published an article and column noting that the city had not communicated with veterans about the housing, leaving them in limbo for nearly two months.
The affordable housing has been delayed because it’s taken awhile to complete construction on the rooms, wrote Steven Banks, the commissioner of the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services. About 50 veterans are expected to move in in March, with another 50 moving in 5 to 7 weeks later and the rest moving in in late July. We’ve posted the letter below.
The building at 330 West 95th street where the veterans are moving was formerly a homeless shelter run by an organization whose shelters have repeatedly cited for violations, so it’s probably good that the city is doing major renovations. It was not good, however, that they had told veterans they’d start moving in before the end of 2015. The building will be permanent affordable housing, with social services available to help people get jobs and counseling if necessary.
The building next door — 316 West 95th street — is still a homeless shelter, and some local residents have been concerned about the number of people living on the block who need social services. Under the Bloomberg administration, the two buildings had been turned into shelters without community review and Mayor Bloomberg went to court to keep them open over the objections of the community.
Aaron Biller, president of Neighborhood in the nineties, said the city’s previous attempt to blame “the community” for these delays is unfair — and false. “A home for veterans would be a welcome addition to our community,” Biller said.
A top HRA official also assured Bruce Rutherford, the veteran who wrote the column for us, that the housing vouchers that many veterans are depending on would not expire.
I hope this is for real. These men deserve our help. They sacrificed for their country and now they are tossed aside. Don’t give up! We are with you. We welcome you to the neighborhood and know you will be an asset. Keep the pressure on!! Good luck & God bless.
My name is Ronald Erwin my question is will my HPD section 8 voucher still be honored when it’s time for the veterans to moving to 330 West 95th Street or will I lose my section 8 voucher Ronald Erwin
Do you have a case manger?
Sorry, manager! He or she should be able to help.