17 • TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014 Bigger Tax Break For NY’s Veterans Thousands More In Revised Exemption by Robert Pozarycki Veterans across New York State will soon get a small token of gratitude for their sacrifices to the nation: a larger property tax exemption. Three local lawmakers—State Senators Joseph Addabbo and Michael Gianaris and Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas—gathered at Astoria Park last Thursday, Nov. 13, to announce an increase in the veterans property tax exemption from $5,000 to $7,500. The increase came through legislation (A.2124/S.592), which passed the Assembly and Senate on June 20 and was signed into law on Nov. 7 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. According to the lawmakers, the increased exemption aims to help veterans statewide meet higher costs of living. “While the cost of living has increased, it is far outweighed by the cost paid by our veterans,” said Addabbo, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security Committee. “Veterans need security and support, both emotional and fiscal, and this legislation is a solid step in the right direction towards creating a better quality of life for the people who gave their country so -SEE VETERANS ON PG. 54- THE HOMELESS CRISIS Rent Hikes, Fights Leave Families Out IBO Examines Homelessness Causes by Robert Pozarycki Forced out due to higher rents, domestic violence or other factors, the number of families seeking emergency shelter in New York City grew dramatically over the last decade, according to a report from the city’s Independent Budget Office (IBO). Published last Friday, Nov. 14, the IBO report—“The Rising Number of Homeless Families in NYC”—outlined the causes behind the increase in homelessness among families in a 10-year study period between fiscal years 2002 and 2012. About 8,500 families were in the city’s homeless shelter system as of 2012, up from 6,400 tallied 10 years earlier. The IBO noted that homelessness spiked during the period in 2010, when more than 12,000 families entered the system. Nearly 60 percent of the displaced families previously lived in rent-regulated apartments or public housing. The report indicated it became harder for families to afford rent after restrictions on a government rent subsidy program arose during the Bloomberg administration. The problem was exacerbated, it was reported, when the subsidy program eventually ended. Earlier this year, the de Blasio administration—as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing—launched a new round of rental subsidies and announced homeless families would receive first priority for vacant public housing units. But to receive emergency housing benefits, it was noted, families must first seek emergency shelter and provide documents proving they have nowhere else to turn. As rents increased, so did the number of evictions across the city. According to the IBO, 27,636 evictions took place in New York City in 2011, up from the 23,697 that took place in 2002. Between 2002 and 2010, the report indicated, the number of families eligible for emergency shelter due to eviction nearly quadrupled, from 1,066 in 2002 to 3,866 eight years later. Domestic violence also resulted in more homeless families seeking emergency shelter, the IBO reported. Just 540 families in 2002 sought shelter due to domestic violence in their former homes, but that number grew to more than 3,172 in 2009. -SEE HOMELESS ON PG. 54- Qns. Beep Thanks Vets At Big Parade Queens Borough President Melinda Katz marched in the New York City Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The borough president said the parade gave her a great opportunity to say thank you to many of our veterans as well as to acknowledge some of nation’s current military personnel in person, including members of the New York National Guard, as pictured. 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