City Council Weighs Merits of Rent at Homeless Shelters

New York, NY —

A state policy requires New York City to charge homeless families for using city shelters, but opponents want the Bloomberg Administration to lobby against the policy. The rule was implemented but then temporarily suspended this month. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: During a city council hearing, councilman Bill De Blasio said the rule is punitive, turns shelter providers into bill collectors and makes it harder for families with scarce resources to become self-sufficient.

When asked if he agreed, Homeless Services Commissioner Rob Hess said he would reserve judgment until he better understands the formula for charging families.

De Blasio wants the city to support state legislation that would eliminate the rule. Hess says his agency is reviewing two bills, but is hopeful the policy can be implemented better, making legislation unnecessary. The city says charging homeless families could generate up to $5 million. For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.