Rockland County, NY – Analysis compiled by The Journal News shows that Hasidic communities top the list in low-income housing voucher use in several Rockland County villages—most notably, New Square.
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Lohud.com (http://lohud.us/15CCPh9) is reporting that the new data reveals that nearly half of New Square’s housing units are Section 8, with Orthodox families making up a large percentage of its residents.
In comparison, a Yonkers neighborhood east of Nepperhan Avenue tops the Westchester list, checking in at half the rate of New Square.
The data shows Orthodox enclaves in Kaser and Monsey fluctuate between 10 and 26 percent Section 8, before dropping off to 6 to 9 percent in Spring Valley, West Haverstraw, and Haverstraw.
The data shows two or less Section 8 units in 22 Rockland neighborhoods, and 10 with none on record.
Orthodox community leaders say the numbers in New Square and Kaser are higher because they offer more suitable Section 8 housing.
Mendel Hoffman, an Orthodox Jewish community advocate, said, “Other places don’t want Section 8. In those villages they don’t mind having Section 8 people in the neighborhood.”
Despite its large network of multi-family housing along Route 306, Kaser’s 92 vouchers is only a fraction of the 670 in New Square. But officials note that the disparity stems from the fact that Kaser incorporated shortly after the 1990 census, making it difficult to document poverty rates from earlier years.
Through the use of ‘testers,’ sent in to check for discrimination violations towards potential renters, lawsuits have been filed on behalf of various other minority groups, but officials say testing of this type has never been an option in the Orthodox community due to the unwillingness of Hasidics to take on the role.
Rockland County’s Human Rights Commission said it has yet to see public complaints pertaining to religious discrimination when it comes to housing—though it did note instances of rental ads that have mentioned nearby synagogues.
County Section 8 director, Joe Abate, said it should come as no surprise that the Hasidic areas feature the highest use of vouchers, since they are the most impoverished.
“They are communities of low income,” said Abate. “They’re serving the persons they’re supposed to be serving.”
The data shows nearly 70 percent of residents in Kaser live below the poverty line, with New Square not far behind at 58 percent.
Despite the numbers, New Square remains among the area’s most popular among Hasidics, so much so that land near the north end is currently being annexed to build additional housing.
“It’s a wonderful community,” said a Monsey woman with close ties to New Square. “The amount of giving that goes on between people—in Hebrew the word is ‘chesed’—it’s more than charity, it’s the goodness. When there’s a new baby, there are 20 ladies making meals.”
I knew one day this will come, this cannot continue forever especially when the America is becoming poorer
good community work their leaders are behind the effort to make sure that does who deserve it gets it. its not to be ashamed
“When there’s a new baby, there are 20 ladies making meals”.
Ye sure. They bought the food and ingridients with food stamps. They should sign my name on the delicious platter. After all it is my tax money.
On the other hand, it is a better use of tax money than anything Mr. Obama is doing. Enjoy the kichelech and tzimis!
More reason why frum Jews should support generous social welfare programs.
Why didn’t they write that they not using the state public schools? they paying them self for tuition, they using less water (not washing daily there cars), less murders so is less court cases so saving lot $$ & they have much more kids it cost them more food & clothing
And the yidden never try to burn someone’s house because they daven in a different shul
What about Brooklyn???? What about NYC???
95% of Public Housing goes to African Americans and Hispanic.
The report singled out certain areas to reach a certain agenda.
(Similar to molestation accusations).
“nearly half of New Square’s housing units are Section 8, with Orthodox families making up a large percentage of its residents.”
Interesting to know that orthodox families are the majority of NS
The combined demographics of all public housing developments in New York City is about 51% Black, 46% Hispanic, 2% White (=== Orthodox Jews), and 1% Asian and other.
This is based on on NYCHA’s Development Data Book 2012. (Taken from Wikipedia).
Why is Journal news writing 1/10 of the story?
Why didn’t they write that they not using the state public schools? they paying them self for tuition, they using less water (not washing daily there cars), less murders so is less court cases so saving lot $$ & they have much more kids it cost them more food & clothing
number 10 is right…why are they only talking section 8? public housing has way more people so lets talk about that as well.
Welfare queens
Deal with the issue at hand and so not complain about the reporting
the journal is not a city paper therefore they did not address NYCHA.
we do see article addressing some of the issue that people mention in newspapers, interesting is, that we do not see comments, but look at the section 8 Orthodox Jews take.
If they are legitimately entitled to the housing and vouchers ….power to them. All jews should be thankful that our needy brothers live in such a wonderful country where a predominantly non jewish population is doing the paying. true chesed. Without the help these “orthdox jews” as the article called them and their lifestyle wouldnt survive. America is truly a great country.
Now why cant we have the same attitude of appreciation in eretz yisroel . Unlike america in eretz yisroel it is fellow jews doing the dying and paying . just wondering.
I live in this neighborhood and do not have section 8 yet about 95% of my neighbors do. I work for a company that pays me by check and so does my wife. My neighbors all earn cash and don’t declare a cent. My car is 17 years old and I don’t take vacations ever. My neighbors go to Israel at least 3 times a year and drive new cars every year (in someone else’s name.)
Am I the only honest one or am I a jerk for not stopping to work?
I am SICK of supporting my block!!!
When all the details come out – which it will either in this world or next- it will be the biggest chillul Hashem of our time.
I wish we would fix it before someone fixes it for us. Hashem Yirachem.
I am appalled at the outright fraud and dishonesty. How sad that the “honest frum” is the exception to the rule. The only positive I can find in this is that every other ethnic group does this. At least in these frum areas, you can walk around and not be mugged or killed. Let’s face it folks, over 50% or so of the U.S. are on some sort of government program. I guess if I qualified, I would go on it as well. Instead, I have gotten a secular education, worked everyday for 25 years, worked my way up to Vice President of a bank, all the while continuing my learning. Is it easy, no? Can working in the secular world be uncomfortable as a frum Yid? Absolutely? But really, what are you teaching your children? Just to become government freeloaders. Send your kids to a frum college. I have seen many Kollel men that have absolutely no self esteem as they feel unappreciated and useless while their wives are succeeding in their chosen professions. The Gemara is very clear that Torah without a profession will lead to more aveirus. The only thing taht REALLY bothers me is that all tehse government freeloaders expect to have as good or better lifestyle than myself,
With thanks to “The Beatles”, to the tune of “Let It Be”:
Stamps for food: good, good, good!
Section 8, ain’t it great.
WIC and HEAT: Really neat!
Families First: Could be worse!
He is right, I am always amazed at how these families with basically no jobs can dress the way they do, travel the way they do, host people the way they do etc. It is simply because they are crooks, scamming the system. If you have a “cash” job for $40,000, that is like an $70,000 a year job. On top of that, if you get the full package of benefits for being “poor” that is equal to about a $80,000 a year job or more with health care etc. So do the math…they have a lifestyle of someone making $150,000 a year. Not a bad gig. Even worse, some of them run “non profits” and are keeping the bulk of donation for themselves. The level of fraud is enormous and it just makes me sick. Yes, those of us working are “friars” I guess. The level of tolerance for dishonesty in the frum community is horrific, and an embarassment.