Jul 29, 2009 10:37am
NYTimes: NYC Flying Homeless People Out of City
EmailThe New York Times this morning has a front page look at a New York City program that uses tax payer dollars to buy airline tickets for homeless people to fly them back to their hometowns. It is totally voluntary and a family member must be willing to take the homeless person or family in on the other end. Since 2007 the city has flown more than 500 families home. Among other things it is reportedly financially driven. Keeping a homeless person in shelter is very costly — more than $30,000 a year. But a one way plane ticket? Really?
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Seriously…someone is waiting at the airport for them when they arrive? How is this verified, or does NY really care.
Posted by: Gerald | July 29, 2009, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
I don’t see a problem with this but I a conservative who thinks that the government is not my brothers keeper.
Posted by: kathy | July 29, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
The report does not say that they are sending people beyond their will. The report states that they are sending people voluntarily. Frankly, it is the economical burden of relocating that keeps people from making change. If the city wants to offer to cover that incentive then I think it is a great thing! I’d like to see some follow-up of where people go and how they end up!
Posted by: Ed | July 29, 2009, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
is it possible that this is in reality a free vacation back to see their family?
Posted by: asusual | July 29, 2009, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
It’s crazy that NYC saves money by sending these people home. If that’s true and it must be or they wouldn’t be doing it, the idea is ingenious; NYC must be getting a very good discount. Thumbs Up!
Posted by: sprowlindak | July 29, 2009, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
is there somekind of proof they have to verify,, u know where there hom town is,, because they can say there hometown is in hawii ,u know,, thats pardise
Posted by: mark roden | July 30, 2009, 4:08 am 4:08 am