Crystal Sutton

I am desperate to get out of the shelter system, and I hope that my going through this now will help someone else in the future.

I went on the welfare to work program and started in December. If I did not go to this my PA would have been cut off. So I started working at Parks on December 17. In February, in fact the week after Valentine's Day I received a letter that stated, "Congratulations, you are certified to receive HSP. So the Housing Specialist advised me of the rules and regulations.

Now I have taken time off of work, sacrificed spending time with my kids, sacrificed enrolling in extra classes in school all to look for an apartment and to get out of shelter, I have searched many and various places. I finally found a place to live. The realtor started the process, I told my housing specialist and then it happens, my Housing Specialist informs me I can not get HSP because I work. When I spoke to someone from HRA they told me to quit my job so I could get the assistance.

Now I have wasted so much time and energy, looking and searching. Why was this not told to me before? I feel a cruel trick has been played on me. They just watched me run around, threatening to write me up if I did not comply with the rules and now you tell me after all of that I can't have the program. I lost time (money) from my employment trying to comply with the rules and so much more.

So here I am. I am being made a seasonal person for 6 months starting 07/09/05. From there I will become permanent employee with parks. I am Assistant to the Assistant Commissioner of Citywide Services for the City of NYC Parks and Recreation. Eventually I will receive benefits, but still not enough money to house my 4 children.

Things are looking better for me I just need a little help with a home. The 5 year plan that HSP offers would have been perfect for me. I will be returning to school for Fall, 2005. I am trying to move forward in my life with God’s help. My first goal was to have a permanent job, now I just want a home, however my job will not pay enough for me to maintain a home and take care of my kids. Please help I do not want to quit my job to get assistance! I only need help for a limited amount of time. Just until I graduate with and receive my degree.

I don't understand why I cannot receive Section 8, even though they say it has been cut off I know in some cases they still give it out.

I can fax you all of my documentation supporting all I have mentioned above, even my housing specialist letters stating that I need to adhere to the rules dated 05/23/05.