In yesterday’s edition, the New York Times editorial board took on Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells‘ residency requirement for homeless services bill.  The board called his proposal “inhumane” and suggested it was simply “very bad public policy.” The board also cited the CFO which stated that Wells’ bill wouldn’t save the city any money. Late yesterday, Wells responded via a series of tweets:

“DC plan for homeless families is to provide apts. $1,500 per.Should there be limit on number of fams hsd from other states? NY Times says no”

“Overflow for homeless families is DC Gen. 135 fams now at capacity. Should DC provide unlimited capacity for other states. NY Times says yes”

More tweets after the jump!

Wells goes on to tweet:

“Fams and individs in DC have right to shelter during cold. Surrounding states do not. % of fams in DC shelters from Md has tripled.

To bal our budget we must cut foster care, pub ed, disability pymnts, juv justice, TANF, pub safety and raise taxes to get to 175 mil

Mont co and PG co have a residency req. for shelter. We shld hse when freezing but not provide apt and shld return to home state when safe.

NY Times recommends DC expand shelter capacity if needed and dun Congress for the cost. Good luck with that.

CFO said no cost savings b/c of current waitlist for homeless services. DC residents should have dibs, no?“