New Yorkers See Uneven Improvement in Food Stamp, Cash Assistance Delays

2023-08-21T12:38:52-04:00August 17th, 2023|

City Limits

"The Safety Net Project is grateful for Judge Rearden’s order, she added, but disappointed in the timeline it sets forth. 'To say that HRA has until March 2024 to figure this out—it’s just not good enough, given the severity and impact on clients.'”

Council Bill Would Require Monthly Reports On Street Homeless Sweeps

2023-08-07T13:59:37-04:00August 3rd, 2023|

City Limits

"Karim Walker, an outreach and organizing specialist with the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center, is particularly interested to see the cost data...'That’s still money that could be going into funding housing vouchers, getting folks into permanent housing,' he said.

Right to Counsel in NYC not only dodged cuts but gained $20M in new budget

2023-07-12T14:51:24-04:00July 10th, 2023|

Gothamist

“I think we see this as a starting point from which we can continue to work together to get the funding level for Right to Counsel,” said Marika Dias, managing director of the Safety Net Project..."

“Policy Failure”: Audit Finds 3 Housing Placements From Months of Street Homeless Sweeps

2023-07-05T08:51:52-04:00June 28th, 2023|

City Limits

"Crystal Vails, a member with the Safety Net Project, has been homeless for 13 years, though she now has a lead on an apartment in Queens with the help of a city-issued rental voucher...Nevertheless, she said she’s been swept multiple times this year, and the experience is stressful."

NYC’s Affordable Housing Lottery a ‘Mythic’ Option for Many Homeless Residents as Wait Times Jump

2023-06-28T13:39:46-04:00June 23rd, 2023|

Gothamist

"Karim Walker, an outreach organizer with the homeless rights group Safety Net Project, was approved in August 2020 for a one-bedroom apartment in East New York that he applied for two years earlier. It took about five months before he was finally able to move in. Walker said he has thrived since then."

Advocates Blast New Work Requirement Tucked Into Mayor’s Housing Voucher Rule

2023-06-28T13:37:35-04:00June 17th, 2023|

City Limits

"Ethel Brown, a member of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Activists, accused the mayor of a “bait and switch” in a statement late Friday. Her organization is a strong proponent of the City Council’s broader voucher reform package."

Advocates Blast New Work Requirement Tucked Into Mayor’s Housing Voucher Rule

2023-06-21T09:51:17-04:00June 17th, 2023|

City Limits

"Ethel Brown, a member of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Activists, accused the mayor of a “bait and switch” in a statement late Friday. Her organization is a strong proponent of the City Council’s broader voucher reform package."

Thousands of NYC Apartments for Homeless Sit Empty Amid Migrant Crisis

2023-05-30T16:17:20-04:00May 28th, 2023|

NY Daily News

"The [Safety Net Project of the] Urban Justice Center previously obtained data showing the city had about 2,600 empty supportive housing units in November 2022, indicating vacancy levels in the system have stayed nearly flat for months."

LISTEN: The Outreach Worker’s View — ‘At Best to Be Pitied’

2023-05-15T17:09:26-04:00May 14th, 2023|

The City

"Karim Walker is an organizing and outreach specialist for the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center. His job is to work mostly with New Yorkers living on the streets — a job that takes lots of communication, care and empathy, he told FAQ."