2nd today: Shameful treatment of the downtrodden

Editor's note: today's post has quite a bit of righteous anger included. It's a sad-but-true fact: not all stupidity is funny. In fact, in instances like this, it's downright wrong.
News like this makes my blood boil. Today's story comes from the Scranton (PA) Times-Tribune, reporting on the foreboding closure of a city housing project.
City to condemn plaza
BY CHRIS BIRK, STAFF WRITER
08/24/2006 (Take note of this date!) With a lapsed deadline and no word from the Scranton Housing Authority, the city declared Wednesday that it will condemn Washington Plaza [housing project] on Sept. 1.
Hoping to stave off condemnation, attorneys for the housing authority and plaza residents hashed out a stop-gap proposal they plan to give the city within days. The plan calls for the installation of battery-powered smoke detectors in all attics, basements and common areas of the housing complex, as well as 24-hour security at the site...
"The housing authority could put in smoke alarms. The reality is, the city is holding all the cards,” said attorney Kevin Quisenberry of the Community Justice Project, a Pittsburgh-based organization that provides legal aid to low-income state residents... They presented the plan — and the city shared its news of coming condemnation — during a sometimes heated meeting with residents on Wednesday night...
There was no indication Wednesday night if the last-minute plan will be acceptable to Bill Fiorini, director of the city’s office of licensing, inspections and permits, who issued the letter regarding condemnation of the plaza. Mr. Fiorini did not attend the meeting Wednesday night. The city’s public safety director, Ray Hayes, delivered the news to plaza residents. ...Mr. Fiorini’s letter, in fact, would seem to rebuff in advance any hope of a reprieve. “These code violations are serious matters that affect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and others,” he wrote. “No additional extensions of time will be granted.”
The city gave the housing authority a 30-day window to address the safety concerns. The deadline passed on Aug. 17... Mr. Fiorini has said the authority could install hard-wired fire alarms throughout Washington Plaza to stave off condemnation. Those alarms would cost up to $180,000 or so, according to the authority. They would also likely be in conflict with any future renovation work at the plaza...
In reality, there are only a handful of scenarios left for Washington Plaza and its 40-some families.If the last-ditch plan involving battery-operated smoke alarms doesn’t satisfy the city and fire safety officials, plaza residents will be forced to leave next Friday, unless the housing authority installs the hard-wired alarms or finds another way to meet the city’s requirements... In the event of condemnation, the authority has agreed to hire an ombudsman to handle all relocation matters, provide relocation expenses and advance utilities and security deposits and give plaza residents priority on any public housing openings for the next two years.
“Can you guarantee us that we will have a house by next Friday?” longtime resident June Doughitt asked Mr. Baker. “You don’t have to worry about next Friday, having a roof over your head."
OK, Scranton Housing Authority. You knew for years that conditions at the Plaza were unsafe, yet you not only failed to do something about it, but you continued to rent out units to families for years, never telling them of said safety violations? You also neglected to do inspections which are required by HUD for at least a year-and-a-half, ignoring the problem until it stuck out like a sore thumb. Worst yet, you give residents news of their ousting just 8 days before the deadline? How do you think one is to find a new place to live with such unacceptably short notice? These poor folks are low-income, meaning they don't have the finances to secure other housing. As Mrs. Doughitt expressed, how are you going to find alternative housing for all 40 families in 192 hours???
I was homeless for 3 short days once, and I understand their plight. How would you SHA officials, living in your posh homes with a cushy job, fare if the roof over your head was taken away? This unjust, criminal, inexcusable scorn against the needy and less fortunate has GOT to stop. Just because one doesn't have status or cash does not make them any less of a person. Low-income citizens depend on government agents being capable, not culpable! They need security, but more than that, they need to be understood and cared for.

To the members of the housing authority: it is my sincerest hope that somehow, someway, it's discovered that some law was broken, justice will prevail, and you and your white-shirted cronies will get the only shelter you deserve: the lock-up.