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What
began as a support group for people with disabilities with housing
issues,
back in 1999, became a grass-roots political coalition. Through
the process of
attending important meetings of The Housing Committee Of Westchester
County Legislators, and being a formidable presence at Westchester
County Department
of Planning Section 8 meetings, many of our members found affordable
accessible housing. With the addition of The Statewide Systems
Advocacy Network in October
of 2001, the coalition has become involved in broader issues.
We
have secured the Medicaid Buy--In, fought to maintain 100 percent
accessibility
in the New York State Building Code, and restored $1.2 million
to the New York State budget to keep independent living centers
fully staffed. The current issues include: fighting for polling
site changes that will provide for 100 percent access by people
with mobility, visual, and hearing disabilities, and implementation
of the Most Integrated Setting Bill
that will allow people in nursing homes—who do not wish
to be there, a state sponsored transition plan. The bill passed
unanimously in the senate and assembly, but is awaiting
the governor’s signature on September 4, 2002.
WDCCH
continues to seek housing options for people with low or fixed
incomes. We constantly serve as a watchdog when new construction
develops and federal funds are utilized. Our coalition makes
sure that section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, and
the Americans With Disabilities Act is not violated.
We believe in truth, justice, and housing for all!
Meetings
Our meetings
are held at:
(The New) Yonkers Public Riverfront Library,
1 Larkin Center. On the corner of Dock Street and Buena Vista
Avenue.
The systems
advocacy meeting and housing coalition discusion group
is scheduled
for July 15th at the Yonkers Riverfront Library from 1-3pm.
Please feel free to get there early as we will have refreshments!
We will report on:
Housing Availability--
That's federally funded affordable housing.
Sandra, John, and myself were at the county legislature meeting
last week, and we got
the straight dope on these prospects.
I will give you a copy of all of the new affordable units available
now in
Westchester County. Since they recv'd federal funds, section
8's and 504 laws apply! Please make it to the Tuesday meeting
at the Yonkers Riverfront Library,
1 Larkin Center, Yonkers NY.
Unaffordable
Housing: Case in point, Waterfront Development.
It Is very difficult for people with disabilities to compete
economically with the able bodied population. Understanding
rising costs of rental apartments sometimes means learning
new words and old concepts.
gen·tri·fi·ca·tion
Pronunciation: "jen-tr&-f&-'kA-sh&n
Function: noun
Date of word origin: 1964: the process of renewal and rebuilding
accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into
deteriorating areas that often displaces earlier usually poorer
residents.
To learn more about this important process click below.
http://www.uncanny.net/~wetzel/gentry.htm
Yonkers
is building thousands of units of housing which theoretically
will create residential opportunities for Westchester County,
but is it affordable and accessible?
Click below to see what its proponents say.
http://www.cityofyonkers.com/planning/MP/MP9.html
Contact
Us
Please
contact us by e-mail.
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