Ms. Lewis

Ms. Lewis

“If Mayor de Blasio wants to learn from the City’s mistakes, he should ask homeless families and individuals what they need. My situation doesn’t apply for the current programs he’s created. I am not eligible to receive Temporary Assistance when I leave the shelter. I make too much for Food Stamps and Cash Assistance, but you need Cash Assistance to be eligible for many of the LINC programs. I am also in a private shelter, and most of the programs require you to be in a DHS shelter. We need a program without a welfare component, one that reflects the current times. We need an effective, permanent rental voucher.”

Ms. Lewis has been homeless sporadically for the past sixteen years, as a result of President Clinton’s welfare reform. She’s raised six children, all of whom have gone through homelessness – four adults and two still living at home. Currently proud to be working with Picture the Homeless on the Speakers Bureau. Formerly a member of Mothers on the Move and then Communuity Voices Heard. Union rep for DC1707, with an Associates degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College.