Rally held to fight poverty at town hall meeting in White Plains

Dozens of White Plains residents rallied at a town hall meeting Saturday demanding county officials to do more to fight poverty. Residents say there are many families that are struggling because of

News 12 Staff

Oct 5, 2014, 1:47 AM

Updated 3,754 days ago

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Dozens of White Plains residents rallied at a town hall meeting Saturday demanding county officials to do more to fight poverty.
Residents say there are many families that are struggling because of poverty. 
Demonstrators called on officials for more decent housing. The Federal Housing and Urban Development Agency just pulled another $5 million in grants from the county on top of the $7 million it withheld last year.
Officials say they have yet to resolve the ongoing fight with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino over the 2009 fair housing settlement. Astorino says the county is in full compliance and is building the housing required, but demonstrators say it is not enough.
Protesters also demanded more money for after-school programs and day care programs for children. In recent years, the programs have been victim to county budget cuts.
Organizers say these town hall protests and rallies will continue throughout the year. They also say they will be demonstrating in December, when elected officials will negotiate next year's budget.