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New York Buys Homeless Families One-Way Tickets To Cut Shelter Costs

Posted by samzenpus on from the out-of-sight-out-of-mind dept.

In an attempt to cut the costs of running its homeless shelters, New York City is buying one-way tickets for homeless families to leave the city. Since 2007, over 550 families have been sent to 24 states and five continents. Officials say that there are no limits on where a family can be sent, and all they need to participate in the program is a relative to agree to take them in. Arnold S. Cohen, the president and chief executive of the Partnership for the Homeless, an advocacy group in New York, says, "The city is engaged in cosmetics. What we're doing is passing the problem of homelessness to another city. We're taking people from a shelter bed here to the living room couch of another family. Essentially, this family is still homeless."

6 comments

  1. tackling the homeless problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Some smart conservative finally figures out how to deal with the homeless in a way that doesn't involve killing them, and you liberals start whining "blah blah but they're still homeless blah blah".

    Hey "Partnership for the Homeless", if you're so concerned, why not let them sleep on YOUR couch? No? Typical limousine liberals.

  2. Not Still homeless by jayme0227 · · Score: 1

    This way they are with family that has agreed to take them in. They are improving their fortunes rather than living in (or outside of) a homeless shelter. If they weren't improving their fortune, they wouldn't do it.

    Well, except for the insane ones.

    --
    But then I realized the cable was blue, so I only gave it one star. I hate blue.
  3. Better chance to get a job though? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Couldn't it be said that since they would presumably be moving to more stable living conditions that they would be more likely to obtain and hold a job especially if they moved to a town with a labor shortage. So if the former could be said then wouldn't it follow that this is overall a good thing even if not everyone is able to improve their conditions.

  4. I tried to use this by Illender · · Score: 2, Funny

    I flew one way to NYC for vacation thinking I could use it as a free ride home. When they called my wife to confirm she would accept me in she said "no way, the bastard is your problem now!"

    --
    When I rule the world, I'll have squads of flame throwers fanned out around me, and for me, winter shall cease to exist
    1. Re:I tried to use this by Icegryphon · · Score: 1

      wow, that is some serious comedy, well play'd sir.

    2. Re:I tried to use this by Illender · · Score: 1

      why thank you. I was standing when I wrote it, so does that make me a stand-up comedian?

      --
      When I rule the world, I'll have squads of flame throwers fanned out around me, and for me, winter shall cease to exist