The Issue: Mayor Bloomberg’s remark that the city’s homeless shelters are so nice people don’t want to leave.
***
I was appalled to read that Mayor Bloomberg said the shelter system is, under his administration, “a much more pleasurable experience than they ever had before” (“Mayor: Apple’s Shelters Are So Luxe, People Don’t Want To Leave,” Aug. 24).
I guess it is “Hotel Bloomberg” for the homeless, in his opinion.
I remember being homeless after the Vietnam War, and I did not find it a pleasurable experience.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
Bloomberg is clueless as to social services provided in the city.
I am homeless. After three attempts to live in the city shelter system, I decided that living in my car was safer and healthier. Unsanitary conditions, processed food, sleeping on mattresses that are actually gym mats, having my life threatened by roommates, people smoking crack — no, thank you.
But most disconcerting of all, most of the employees of the Department of Homeless Services and Human Resources Association are collecting paychecks and wasting taxpayer money by not assisting those who are in great need.
The waste is in the policies and employees, especially disconnected managers like Bloomberg and his cronies.
Maybe Paul Ryan is right: Let’s dismantle the system.Sylvia Carroll
Brooklyn