Why Are You Making It So Difficult? NYC Cash Aid Applicants Face Denial Surge

2024-02-05T12:26:13-05:00January 29th, 2024|

City Limits

“It's more accessible, people don't have to leave their home,” said Charisma White of the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center, a benefits recipient who helped push for 2019 legislation requiring quarterly reports on application denials. “But if you're going to use that service, you have to make sure it's working at top notch standards.”

City Council Urges Mayor To Uphold New Protections For Unhoused Residents

2024-01-17T09:01:51-05:00January 13th, 2024|

BK Reader

“We need to actually start housing people instead of warehousing them in shelters,” said Calvin Michael, leader with the Safety Net Activists. “As someone who used CityFHEPS to move out of shelter, I know how important these laws are to getting people housed."

Adams Admin Confirms Inaction on Council’s Rental Voucher Expansion

2024-01-22T11:17:04-05:00January 5th, 2024|

City Limits

"Park’s comments frustrated advocates who pushed for the passage of the full Council package. “I know that I cannot pick and choose which laws I adhere to,” said Patricia Glover, a member of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Activists. “If I run a red light I’m going to have to pay a fine.”

Full Package of Rental Voucher Laws Not On Mayor’s Agenda, Despite Veto Override

2023-11-21T12:30:11-05:00November 16th, 2023|

City Limits

The impending showdown is frustrating for Patricia Glover, a member of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Activists, and a CityFHEPs voucher holder. She spent 18 months in shelter before moving into an apartment with her voucher in March 2022. “That could be so long and drawn out that people are going to fall by the wayside,” she said. 

“No More Room,” City Starting To Feel Effects Of Overcrowded Shelters and HERRCS

2023-11-06T13:27:06-05:00November 2nd, 2023|

Amsterdam News

"The city has been transferring homeless people and abusing them for years in shelters across the city. Now with the 30 and 60-day rules, the city is continuing that abuse and making it even worse for homeless immigrants,” said Dinick Martinez, leader with the Safety Net Activists, in a statement."

How Landlord Tech Is Squeezing Renters Who Can’t Afford Security Deposits

2023-11-06T13:29:10-05:00October 23rd, 2023|

Vice

“It's a perverse kind of insurance, almost like a bail bond,” Marika Dias, a housing attorney with the nonprofit Safety Net Project told Motherboard. “Tenants don't really have leverage, aren’t in a position of power to push back on something like this because they need the housing.”

Eric Adams Thinks His Critics Are Fools and Buffoons. Nothing Personal.

2023-10-11T12:35:02-04:00October 3rd, 2023|

NY Times

“Charisma White, a volunteer at Safety Net Activists [part of SNP at the Urban Justice Center]...recently asked Mr. Adams as he was leaving a public appearance why he has vetoed a package of bills that would make it easier for at-risk New Yorkers to receive housing vouchers. “He needs to listen to the people that are living here,” Ms. White said."

Vulnerable New Yorkers Suffer as Some Services Decline Under Mayor Adams

2023-10-02T12:33:36-04:00September 29th, 2023|

New York Times

"Ms. Ramos, who was assisted by the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center, said she was relieved when her food stamps arrived last week, the day after The New York Times asked city officials to comment on her case."

NYC Failing to Process Most Food Stamp, Cash Benefit Applications on Time

2023-09-20T09:31:30-04:00September 18th, 2023|

City Limits

"A recertification delay can lead to a lapse in benefits—a dangerous situation for recipients like Diana Ramos, a leader with the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center. Ramos has Type 2 diabetes and has yet to receive her SNAP for September...“I’m deathly afraid of my sugar bottoming out, and ending up in the hospital,” she told City Limits.