Revised Plan for the Homeless Begins

The controversial “care not cash” initiative will finally go into effect this week, more than two years after being passed.

Until now, homeless people receiving monthly welfare checks for as much as $410 had the option of spending some of it on rental rooms. Now, that option has been removed.

As of Monday, whenever city welfare officials have a shelter bed or a permanent room available, it will be offered to a homeless person. That person’s welfare check will be cut to as low as $59, regardless of whether he or she takes the room. But if the person takes it, the rent for the entire month will be paid by the city.