COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL & ETHNIC DIVERSITY

MINUTES

MARCH 25, 2003

MEMBERS:  YOUNG, BRONZ

STAFF:  ETTERE, CHANG

OTHERS:  BILL RANDOLPH (CE OFFICE); MARY ROWSON, DAMYN KELLY, JENNY BESCH (WESTCHESTER MEDIATION OF CLUSTER); DENNIS HANRATTY (MOUNT VERNON UNITED TENANTS – MVUT)

The meeting was called to order at 12:13 p.m.

RECEIVE & FILE

Legislator Bronz made a motion to receive and file Items # 19, 19 a-c and 20 into the “Sewage Diversion” subfolder and it was seconded by Legislator Young.  The vote was 2-0.

Westchester Mediation Center/CLUSTER

Mary Rowson, Westchester Mediation Center/CLUSTER, expressed much disbelief regarding the budgetary cuts that have been made to the center through the Westchester County Budget.  This will certainly have an adverse effect on the communities its serves. The program was hit last year with cuts which forced them to cut one position.  This year they will be forced to cut another position due to a 20% cut in County funding.  They would need 100K to restore both positions.  The Mediation Center does eviction prevention throughout the entire County.  Most of their clients are referred to them from the Department of Social Services (DSS).  They assist people who for some reason or another have not been able to make rent but are highly potential tenants that can make capture future rent once they are back on their feet.  The program uses County financial resources as well as many outside resources.  As of January, they lost their DSS Coordinator and will now have to cut their Mount Vernon Court Coordinator.  These staff members not only assisted Mount Vernon residents but residents of Greenburgh, Peekskill, Ossining, New Rochelle and White Plains.

Mr. Damyn Kelly went on to reiterate that this is not a “poor people’s” program.  The Mt. Vernon staff alone assisted over 360 people.  (Evictions = homeless families = shelter programs.)  Shelter programs cost far more than the eviction prevention program.  Another point he went on to make was that although they were just recently notified of the cuts it is retroactive

COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL & ETHNIC DIVERSITY

MINUTES – MARCH 25, 2003

PAGE 2

to January 1^st so not only are they out of monies to fund these staff but also out of monies put out to salary these employees until now.  One option he is faced with is stopping the program from a budgetary level as of October.  The program has assisted with over 1900 cases and 1300 of those were families saved from eviction. 

Ms. Jenny Besch stated the importance in recognizing that they are not only assisting tenants but assisting landlords as well.  She further stated that landlords are pleased with this program because their biggest cost is turnover.  This program prevents a large number of turnovers.  She also mentioned the fact that the people that had to be laid off can easily become the program’s clients. 

Mr. Dennis Hanratty, MVUT, used to work against landlords but have since become their allies due to these services.  He continued by stating that the program is very important and cost effective.  These types of services are needed now more than ever with less money coming in but more demand for services because rents are still going up.  His organization may face the loss of a staff member as well due to cuts in County grants.  Budget cuts in these types of programs affect the most vulnerable of our residents. 

The Members agreed and sympathized with their concerns.  They further stated that they would discuss this matter with the Administration.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.