Letter From Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Applauding Ms. Susan Dominus And The New York Times For Shedding Some Light On The Plight Of Bronx Families Who Will Face Eviction Due To Governor Paterson’s Intent To Cut Funding For The Homeless

As you may already know, Susan Dominus of the New York Times has written an
informative and eye opening article regarding the drastic impact that Governor Paterson’s
proposed cuts to the Homelessness Prevention Program will have on New York families.

Senator Liz Krueger also raised important questions regarding these proposed cuts to
Commissioner David Hansell of the NYS  Office Of Temporary & Disability Assistance during
last Thursday’s human services budget hearing.

Enclosed is a letter I have sent to The NY Times applauding their work and expressing my hope
that my senate colleagues will understand the need to protect this vital program and prevent
so many families from falling into homelessness.

I look forward to working with all of you in this effort.

Thank you.

_______________________________________________________________________________

January 16, 2008

The New York Times
Letter to the Editor
Sent via: letters@nytimes.com.

To the Editor:

This letter is to applaud Ms. Susan Dominus and The New York Times for shedding some light on the plight of Bronx families who will face eviction due to Governor Paterson’s intent to cut funding for the homeless.  A Safety Net for Those Facing Eviction Is Itself in Peril should sound an alarm to all of your readers and all New Yorkers that removing homeless prevention programs will have drastic impact on the lives of many, many families.

New York State’s financed homeless prevention programs are cost effective - especially when compared with the cost of housing families in homeless shelters.  These programs have a proven track record of saving families and improving the lives of children both in their communities and in their schools.  The State is not the one who will profit from these directives ... but the shelter owners sure will.

How can we, in good conscience, uproot hard working families from their homes and neighborhoods, destroy any stability their families have come know, and ever expect the same people to re-elect us back into office?  How can any Democrat stand back and ignore the needs of struggling tenants and their families instead of ensuring that effective programs need to remain in place as well as adequate legal service for less fortunate New Yorkers?

I urge my colleagues in government and your readers to pay close attention to these proposed budget cuts and special attention to which families will be harmed and which families will not be harmed as the 2009 Session develops.

Sincerely,

NYS Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz
32nd Senatorial District