The scene outside the PATH shelter, where people who know they're labeled "ineligible for shelter" are camped out, waiting for 5pm when they can try to get a bed just for the night. But tonight, the city's new policy goes into effect -- no beds, even for one night, if they think you're "not really homeless." Most people don't know about the policy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(click to download the flyer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2hAfhKRnIY From our short documentary film "Homeless People Count," documenting our first "sleep-out" protest and the Manhattan vacant building and lot count. Seven minutes.

The Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE 2007), conducted last week, is more show than substance.

By Jean Rice, from Picture the Homeless' Civil Rights Committee
(in http://www.citylimits.org/content/articles/viewarticle.cfm?article_id=32...)

Right now I’m employed by Picture The Homeless (PTH) as the Rental Subsidies Organizer, a campaign to get around changing New York City’s shelter & homeless policies. We focus attention on DHS, HRA, ACS in order to assure that the 34,000+ shelter residents and God only knows the number of street homeless are assisted with real housing – real housing. I came to this job through NYC shelter system. Picture The Homeless didn’t actually get me out of the shelter, they just showed me how to navigate the system.

Marilyn, 22, Puerto Rico Mario, 28, Private sanitation worker. Indoor graffiti artist. Born in El Salvador, lived all over North & South America. What’s your story? About 6 months ago I had everything. I had my apartment, a brand new car, money to spare, a 64 inch TV, I had everything, Last thing I ever thought was being in the situation I am now – no money, no cigarettes, trying to pick up cigarettes from floor every now and then. Before if I saw a homeless person I used to say “get a job, you have hands, you can work!” For me, homeless just described a person who smelled, who’s a dog who’s always begging money, away from civilized people, not worthy, a parasite. Don’t know how else to break it to you.

8/3/07

I’m sad. I was pregnant when I went into the apartment I found with my HSP (Housing Stability Plus) voucher. First thing, half of the bathroom ceiling fell in. Then all the ceilings caved in. They were repaired a month later, but last week the ceiling caved in again, and had to be repaired again.

I need a larger apartment. I told HRA. They said okay, so I told the landlord [in order to get a bigger apartment in his building.] But he said “only if the rent arrears are paid!” HRA owes him back rent on my apartment.

I was introduced to the New York City shelter system during the fall of 2003, namely Bellevue Men’s Shelter. Anxious but patiently waiting for a bed after reaching the final steps of the intake process, I watched people who came after me getting beds for almost 2 hours. I walked up to the window of the 1st floor staff office a couple of times to make someone aware only to be ignored, scolded and finally called a liar. I then saw a woman whom I handed my paperwork. I let her know of my unhappiness.

Carlos ("Ghost") 26, Shelter resident. Met Linda through an online dating service. Born in Puerto Rico, raised in Camden, NJ. Trying to get into Labor Ready, a temp service, to get into security work. Very introspective, not really a people person. Open-minded and open to different points of view, from young to old. Better with kids than adults, like reading comic books. Father of 5 kids. "What I consider therapy? Going to a park and feeding the pigeons."

What’s your story?

I’m a native New Yorker. I entered the shelter system in ’04, starting with Bellevue and then I moved to Bedford Atlantic. And after assessment, I landed in Pojamo House, a mens’ shelter, which lasted for two years. There, I was enrolled in the Teach Program, which was a job readiness program – it went through resume, dress, interviews etc. I was assisted with a job search in the areas of security and stock clerk.