PRESS CONFERENCE AND RALLY
December 31st, 2009, New Year’s Eve
7:00 PM Board of Supervisors
1221 Oak Street, Oakland, in the Plaza
The General Assistance (GA) population includes the disabled, veterans, seniors, victims of domestic violence, transition age youth and women. Before November, 2009 the GA loan was at most $336.
The county has slashed the GA grant:
· up to $84 if a recipient lives with a roommate and
· $40 unless the person receives Medi-Cal.
· Up to $231 unless the landlord signs the W9 or
· Up to $231 if the recipient’s rent is over the GA grant.
After January 2010, GA recipients can only get aide 3 months out of 12 months if Social Service deems the recipient employable. There are no plans in place to how “employability” will be determined.
It is critical that the Board of Supervisors hear from YOU.
The cuts will increase hunger, increase violence due to desperation and hopelessness, and decrease people’s ability to find jobs and stay housed due to lack of money. With grants as low as $105 a month for only 3 months out of the year ($315 a year)…many will drift back to the streets adding to the mass homelessness crisis impacting Alameda County during this economic recession.
For more information contact:
Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency - boona cheema 510 649-1930 x 225
East Bay Community Law Center - Luan Huynh (510) 548-4040 ext. 371
Homeless Action Center - Patricia Wall (510) 540-0878 x 301
Coalition to Stop The GA Cuts
Bay Area Legal Aide, Berkeley Food and Housing Project, Berkeley Community Coalition,
Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, East Bay Community Law Center,
Homeless Action Center, Public Interest Law Project, St. Mary’s Center
To become a member of the GA Cuts Coalition click here.
To download a press conference and flyer click here.
For GA recipient and organizational action steps click here.
