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Yalies seek spot on city homeless commissionBy Amanda Poppei Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project (YHHAP) Political Action Coordinator Amanda Bell, DC '00, describes New Haven's Homeless Advisory Commission (HAC) as "a grievance board for homeless people." The committee, legislated in 1989, has been inactive for the entire decade. Ward six Alderwoman Rita Krevit, head of the Board's Homeless Select Committee, is leading sincere efforts to establish an effective HAC. On Thurs., Apr. 24, Krevit helped pass an amendment to reduce the size of the Commission from 29 to 15 members in an effort to make its implementation more of a real possibility.Of the 15 members, one will be an official "homeless advocate." Nicole Tuchinda, MC '99, and Bell have applied for that position and will receive notification from Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. by Mon., Jun. 1. YHHAP Co-Coordinator Debbie Dinner, CC '99, expressed support of the candidates, but suggested the possibility that "people in the community know much more than we do" about homelessness, adding "I wouldn't want us to take someone else's spot." YHHAP had originally proposed the addition of a 16th member, a student representative, to the Commission, but Krevit rejected that suggestion, saying that she preferred to keep the number at 15. Krevit's plans for HAC include an attempt to "get rid of shelters and have people get into houses that have to be refurbished, let them learn the trades." Krevit stated the occupants would continue to pay the current price of $3 for a night's stay at a shelter, but that the houses would eventually be purchased from the city. She added that existing shelters "are not an ideal situation" and was confident that with her proposed resolution, "nobody's going to lose." Bell agreed that the purpose of the commission was a good one. She stressed, however, that considerably more planning had to occur before any proposals were put into full effect. Tuchinda, the Social Justice Network Facilitator on the Dwight Hall Executive Committee, said that she has many ideas to improve homeless conditions. She would like to get more resources--specifically more beds--for women. Moreover, Tuchinda would like to see shelters provide improved job access and daycare centers. She is also concerned with "making sure that the service providers respond well to the needs of the citizens" and "facilitating communication" between the two groups. Regardless of whether or not she is granted a spot on the Commission, Tuchinda believes that the formation of the committee will help lead to progress on a variety of complicated homeless issues. "The Commission is one huge step forward in the right direction for the city in terms of making homelessness a priority," Tuchinda said.
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