Cuomo Blasts De Blasio On Homelessness At Brooklyn Charity Event
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Governor Andrew Cuomo took a shot at New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday -- this time, on the issue of homelessness.
When asked about hunger at a Campaign Against Hunger event in Bed-Stuy, Cuomo turned the conversation to the homelessness issue in New York City.
"This is not about throwing money at the problem," Cuomo said. "This is about understanding the problem and understanding the issue and managing the government to provide the services you need."
Cuomo was referring to de Blasio's recent $2.6 billion proposal to help curb the city's growing homelessness problem. The program aims to add 15,000 new affordable-living housing units, as well as create resource programs like job placement and mental health services for those trying to get off of the streets.
On Nov. 20, de Blasio said one of his 'greatest failures' was not adequately explaining the homelessness issue to the public.
"I didn't get ahead of this to explain to people the problem and the measures we're taking, and bluntly, we're going to have to do a lot more," de Blasio said.
New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, who came under fire recently for his comments on the homeless, said part of the problem is evolving legalities which have made it harder to regulate the issue.
Cuomo's comment is just another shot fired in a long history of differences between the two politicians. Cuomo recently expressed disapproval of de Blasio's recent prison reform proposal, aimed to improve the bail system.
Earlier this year, de Blasio and Cuomo were locked in a debate over funding appropriations in the MTA's new budget plan -- a debate which was eventually settled.
