[IMC-NYC-Editorial] October 6 - 24 Article, "Bush Cuts Section 8, Again" by Steven Wishnia

[CJ646 at aol.com]

Dear Editor, 

I read an article in "The Indypendent" newspaper (Oct 6 - 20) entitled, "Bush 
Cuts Section 8, Again" by Steven Wishnea and I hope someone at your paper 
will be able to help me out.

My name is Cathleen Jagarnauth and I'm writing to you on the behalf of my 
Grandmother, Raymonde St. Louis.  My Grandmother has been living independently 
since 1988 in a studio apartment owned by the Excel Bradshaw Management Group in 
the Seagirt Houses (711C Seagirt Ave, Far Rockaway, NY  11691).  

This year, my Grandmother was diagnosed by Dr. H. Reddy of St. John's 
Episcopal Hospital with acute dementia.  Her doctor assured us that her wishes to 
continue living on her own could be honored and would cause her no harm.  
However, I have recently discovered that she had not re-applied for section 8.  At 
first, my family believed that the necessary information had already been 
submitted to Section 8 and that her ongoing Section 8 benefits were secure.  
Unfortunately and unbelievably, we discovered that her Section 8 status and 
well-being are anything but secure.  

When I became aware of her precarious position, I immediately went to the 
housing department and spoke to the manager, Mr. Liptzer.  I explained to him 
that she had not re-applied for Section 8, obviously because of her mental 
condition.  I showed him a letter from her doctor stating that she in fact is 
suffering from a mental illness, along with a statement from Social Security proving 
that her monthly income is only $448.  He told me that he would absolutely 
not reinstate her Section 8 under any circumstances; only applications from 
homeless people were being considered.  I pleaded with him that my Grandmother 
would in fact become homeless if she did not receive the $336 subsidy that she 
has been relying on for nearly 20 years.  He dismissed me.  

Undeterred yet deeply concerned, I went back to Mr. Liptzer's office three 
days later.   I gave him a letter from an attorney I retained, Patrick Lucas of 
Lindenbaum & Young, asking him to please reconsider his position.  Mr. Liptzer 
glanced at the legal letterhead, scolded me for contacting an attorney and 
assured me that I had wasted my time and money and that it made no difference.  
He refused to give me his statement in writing and added that he would get 
back to Lindenbaum & Young at his convenience.  When he finally did a month 
later, he wrote that it was our family's fault.    

I'm deeply disheartened by the display of callousness I've experienced with 
the housing authority.  My Grandma is on the verge of being homeless and no one 
seems to care.  

It is unfortunate that my family assumed that my Grandmother's case would not 
fall through the cracks.  It is even more unfortunate that her case is 
seemingly irresolvable.  I have made innumerable phone calls, sent out emails to 
Senator Clinton, Senator Schumer, Senator Hanon, Congressmen, Councilmen, 
Assemblywomen, the AARP, NYFSC, JPAC, along with a slew of others, I have made 
numerous trips to various agencies; I've borrowed money to put in escrow for her 
back rent; I have even retained a lawyer.  I am now writing to you.  

Quite simply, I'm a working, full - time undergraduate student who loves her 
Granny and is willing to do anything on the behalf of her well-being. I'm 
reaching out to you in the interest of justice.  Please help.

Thank you for your kind consideration,
Cathleen Jagarnauth
CJ356 at nyu.edu
(646) 234 - 2324.
225 East 17th Street Apt 13J
Brooklyn, NY  11226


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