Michael Berg Receives Proclamation – Suggests Solution to Housing Crisis
On July 14, the Ulster County Legislature delivered a proclamation honoring Michael Berg’s 55+ years of service to the community in his various roles with Family of Woodstock.
Initiated by Legislative Chairperson Peter Criswell and delivered by Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, the lengthy proclamation noted that Michael has been a tireless advocate for people in Ulster County who experience homelessness, food insecurity, domestic violence, unemployment, mental health issues, and substance abuse. In a letter to Michael after the ceremony, Chairperson Criswell wrote:
The Ulster County Legislature and our Legislative staff, congratulations on your well-earned retirement and thank you once again for allowing us the opportunity to recognize your extraordinary career during last evening’s Legislative Session.
Your lifetime of service to Family of Woodstock and the residents of Ulster County has left an immeasurable impact on our community. Thank you for your compassion, leadership, and commitment to those most in need. Your heartfelt remarks during the proclamation presentation, reminding us of the importance of supporting our most vulnerable neighbors and continuing to address the housing challenges facing our community, were a fitting reflection of the values that have defined your life’s work.
After receiving the proclamation, Michael addressed the Legislature and assembled guests. During his remarks, he described the desperate situation many homeless residents are experiencing, including those in one of Family’s six shelters. “People are in our shelters far too long. But I don’t have a solution for that. There’s no affordable housing. People can’t find jobs that would allow them to pay even what is considered fair market rent. So, they stay in our shelters for 150 days or in a motel for even longer. When that happens, it changes them. They start to feel like they’ll be there forever. They feel like it’s their home, and so they don’t have to follow the rules or conduct themselves a certain way.”
Always a problem solver, Michael offered up a major cost-saving solution that would house many people and reduce the number of people living in emergency housing. “Right now, Ulster County is paying about $4,700 per month to put one person in a hotel for a month. If person had a job making $20 per hour, they could afford about $900 per month in rent based on 30% of their gross income. Now, there’s no housing for $900 a month! There’s not even housing available at fair market rent for a one-bedroom, which is $1,370 per month. But there is housing at around $1,600 per month. So, imagine if the County paid the difference of $700 per month per person to help someone live in an apartment they could truly call their own. That would be a savings of $4,000 per month per person. We place more than 60 people per night in emergency housing. Based on my suggestion, the County would save $2,880,000 and 60 people would be housed! This is the kind of discussions we need to have and implement. It can’t go on the way it’s been going.”
He concluded his remarks with a request to the government officials: “Do everything it can to make sure that Family survives me.” The evening ended with a standing ovation.
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As previously announced, Michael will step down from the Executive Director position at the end of September. Two events have been planned to honor his retirement:
Sunday, August 23 – 12-4 pm – The Colony in Woodstock – A Community Celebration of Michael Berg featuring music from the Alexis P. Suter Band (Free with suggested donation of $30)
Saturday, September 26 – 5-9 pm – Diamond Mills Resort, Saugerties – A Celebration of Family and Michael Berg (ticket price TBD)
Michael Berg Receives a Proclamation from the Ulster County Legislature for His Years of Service
Members of the Ulster County Legislature, Family Board and Family Staff with Michael Berg
