Alfonso, 41, New Yorker born-n-bred

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.

After about 4 or 5 interviews, I got a job at Amazing Savings department store. Then I started saving money. But the job didn’t last. Then I got a job in security. And that didn’t last either due to attempted murder, an attempt on my life. My dorm-mate then turned me onto a temp agency, LaborReady, which lead to a catering job with Flying Food group. That lasted 9 months. By October of 2005 I had enough money saved up to get into the Rental Assistance Program [a partial rent subsidy for working people.] I started looking for an apartment.

In June ’06 I lost the catering job, but I got an apartment right after that, where RAP agreed my rent for 3 months until my unemployment kicked in. Later, I found another job with Urban Express courier service. The problem with that job is that it’s based on commission. And I lost that job this last May. Because you can barely make it on that.

What’s happening now?

I saw my case manager in June 2007 and found out that I was in rent arrears. It turns out that RAP hadn’t paid after all during the time I was waiting for unemployment. Now it’s August 1, so I owe 5 months rent.

I also applied for unemployment in June 2007 and have been waiting for two months for them to tell me when I’m going to get my benefits. And I found that out this morning, August 3rd, when I went to the bank. The lady told me I was declined [for withdrawing funds.] I called unemployment to ask them when my benefits would be released. They told me the release was today, but I won’t actually get the benefits till next Friday.

One time I went to Holy Apostles soup kitchen to eat, and I saw flyers on the table concerning a meeting that Picture The Homeless was having – a housing meeting. And that’s how I met PTH. I’ve been coming ever since. I wasn’t intending to say anything about what I was going through, until Mr. Nikita Price [Rental Subsidy Campaign organizer at Picture The Homeless] pulled me aside and got all up in my business. I told him what was happening, and he told me to bring a breakdown of what I owe to HomeBase. They sent me to HRA at 210 Livingston Street for a one-shot deal. I don’t trust HRA with the one-shot deals, because I’ve been screwed before. But I’ll keep you posted.