The new no-shelter policy: spreading the word at Riverview Job Center

People were flipping out… people didn’t know anything about the policy. …even the [DHS] staff. Carlos & Tammy: This morning we went to Riverview Job Center, the welfare office where people first come to apply for shelter. This is the place where DHS asks you if you know anyone in the city – and if you do, they say that makes you ineligible for shelter, because you should go stay with your friend. Carlos: People were flipping out about the new policy I walked into the building and I had flyers in my hand. I said loud and clear: "last night Commissioner Hess was at PATH with this new thing, that families found ineligible who return to PATH after 5pm are not going to get overnights or any other help, starting Friday, tomorrow. They’re going to be straight-up put out." Everybody was like "What?! What are you talking about? Who's Commissioner Hess? " I said he's the head honcho, running everything, it was on the news. One guy came over and said "we have to throw a rally! We have to start breaking tables and stuff!" I went to the 2nd floor of the Riverview Job Center, where most of the people are. I talked to people who were headed to the family shelter – they didn't know if they were eligible yet. They didn't know about the policy, either. People started hearing about it, and started flipping out, challenging the caseworkers and generally freaking out. I went on every floor saying the same information, handing out information on behalf of Picture The Homeless. This was new to everybody's ears. They were coming out of the building like "this is fucked up." People in the welfare office were asking about the STOP flyer too [DHS recently cancelled the Advantage housing subsidy program, leaving singles stuck in shelters] – there’s just way too much going on. Tammy: Mass confusion over the city’s shelter policy People didn't know anything about the new policy. Maybe 2 people out of 10 knew. I think this was even new to the staff. Because some of the staff were looking over funny, and they asked for flyers, they were surprised. There was a lot of confusion, too. Some people were saying the policy is just for singles (it’s not – it’s for families) or just for people looking for one-night shelter. People thought they were okay, that it didn't apply to them – or that they would just show up at PATH anyway, and DHS would have to help them. We know that’s not true, that they’ll be turned away and end up in the street. How many people were in there? It was packed today, more than 500 people, and there were still people on line. The building is big, and the clients were overflowing out of it. A lot of people trying to open cases. A lot of people need shelter. People who were coming outside to smoke were raising hell about the news. One woman said her case had been closed, she didn't know why. She had no money, and she was being told that if she didn't get up to the PATH today and straighten everything out, she couldn't go tomorrow. She had 2 small children. She wanted to go back and create havoc, but she needed to get to PATH before she lost her chance completely.