Leaders of a network of shelters for Suffolk's homeless veterans say they would have to close if forced to bear a proportional share of budget cuts proposed by Gov. David A. Paterson.
Suffolk County United Veterans, whose eight shelters provide housing and counseling services to 60 homeless veterans per day on a budget of $400,000 per year, say such a cut would carve about $96,000 from their annual spending.
"Those funds are our life support," said Wilkens Young, the organization's director.
...
Advocates of the shelters say cuts to homeless services would place an undue burden on troubled veterans just as war in Iraq and Afghanistan is increasing their numbers.
"We're in a war and they are coming back home," said Suffolk Legis. Kate Browning, (WF, Third District) whose son is headed for his third deployment this month. "This is not the time to cut these funds."
Browning said Albany should consider alternatives to cuts she says tilt against some of society's most vulnerable populations.
Kate Browning is completely correct here. This absolutely not the time to be cutting these funds and programs.
I very much hope that some federal money can be found to avoid these cuts. Regardless, balancing the budget on the backs of homeless vets is shameful.
