ITHACA, NY (WSYR-TV) - A homeless program for young adults in Ithaca could be in jeopardy due to the Federal sequester’s budget cuts.
“The Learning Web” is a housing scholarship program that pays for apartments for up to 16 young adults between the ages of 16 and 24, as long as they maintain jobs or go to school and attend life skills lessons.
“This is a major turning point I think in any of their lives. If they can stabilize their housing, if they can reach some goals, take that next step towards true independent living and self sufficiency, it's monumental,” said Executive Director Dale Schumacher.
But because of federal cuts, money for the apartments is running out. The city of Ithaca will fund the program for the next four months, so participants like 20-year-old Aurora Ulbing don't lose their homes right away.
“I feel like I know how to live for myself. I know how to make goals and how to reach them,” said Ulbing, who before the program, was pregnant and living at her boyfriend’s mother’s house.
“I guess it was kind of like a downward spiral that got me there- but I didn't realize I was in the spiral until I reached a point where I didn't have much going for me,” said Ulbing.
Ithaca’s Mayor told NewsChannel 9 that money invested in the program will pay off in the long run.
“Not just for those people, but for all of us. For everybody who pays taxes, to have these people in homes, going to school and working. Its good for the bottom line for everybody,” said Mayor Svante Myrick.
