NY court: Singles don't have to prove homelessness

9:56 PM, Feb 21, 2012   |    comments
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NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City court has ruled that unmarried homeless people don't have to prove they have no other options before they enter a shelter.

Tuesday's decision in Manhattan state Supreme Court is in response to a city proposal that would have required people to show they're truly homeless, with documents if possible.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn calls the ruling a "tremendous victory." The city plans to appeal.

The council voted in December to sue Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration over the new policy.

Quinn says neither the council nor the public was consulted about a policy that would have put thousands more on the street.

But Bloomberg says no one should have the right to walk in and say, "Whether or not I need services, give it to me."

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)