user: IN: Major chain of NYC three-quarter houses in financial ruin
One of the city's largest chains of three-quarter houses is on the verge of financial ruin, forcing the city to scramble for accommodations for as many as 800 down-and-out people.

An expert hired to analyze Narco Freedom — whose owners are facing a litany of criminal charges in both state and federal courts — says that 11 of 18 "Freedom Houses" in the network should be closed.

"The finances of this organization are designed to lose money," reads a report by bankruptcy attorney Lori Lapin Jones filed in Manhattan Federal Court.

The Freedom Houses operated as publicly-funded flop houses that required often-desperate applicants to enroll in outpatient programs, even after they were no longer addicts, in order to continue living there so the operators could receive the additional public funds, authorities said.

A breakdown of the network's money troubles hints at the daunting task facing officials.

Jones' analysis found that in 2012 and 2013, Narco Freedom operated at losses of over $6 million and $800,000, respectively.

Narco as a whole now loses $1 million each month, and the $4.6 million it has on-hand will run out by October, according to documents.

Jones is now trying to get $2.9 million in Medicaid funds released by the state to help keep Narco afloat in the short-term. She also wants to suspend admitting new residents and fire some staff.

Judge John Koeltl approved her plan last week, and said no Freedom Houses can be closed without his say-so.

Residents at two of the Freedom Houses in the Bronx told the Daily News they knew little about the network's fragile state.

"I heard they've been digging from the bottom of the pot, so to speak, but nobody ever mentioned this place closing," said Edward Hunter, 27.

Many residents are on-edge, said attorney Matthew Main, who is involved in the Three-Quarter House Project to help organize tenants of the homes.

"This could be a very chaotic and traumatic loss of housing," he said.

"As of yet, no one has provided the answer for where 800 people will go."

A survey of 461 residents out of 1,200 revealed just how difficult it will be for the residents to find somewhere else to live.

The survey found 87% are unemployed, 62% have a mental illness and 55% have a physical disability. A whopping 89% said they had no other living options.

"They better not kick me out, because I did nothing wrong and I ain't going to no shelter," said one 25-year-old resident in the Bronx.

Jones is partnered with Samaritan Village, which offers substance abuse treatment and other services and is positioning itself to take over some of Narco's operations.

The owners of Narco, CEO Alan Brand and his son Jason Brand, face both federal and state charges and are accused of using the supposed non-profit as a personal piggy bank — funding luxury cars and mansions in Long Island and Boca Raton, Fla. — through an illegal Medicaid kickback scheme, among other charges.

Their lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.

Mayor de Blasio has allocated $5 million in next year's budget to tackle the loosely regulated industry of three-quarter houses.

A spokesman for the city Human Resources Administration said it was working with all parties to ensure "an orderly transition of the Freedom Houses to new providers."

The spokesman said the agency was "grateful ... any closing of the Narco Freedom Houses must be approved by the federal court."
What is a short summary of the above article?

OUT: As one of NYC's largest chains of three-quarter houses enters financial ruin, forcing the city to scramble for places for up to 800 people.


IN: Watch Hillary Clinton's Victory Speech
Hillary Clinton had a good showing on Super Tuesday.

The Democratic frontrunner took six states across the South, while opponent Sen. Bernie Sanders won Oklahoma and his home state of Vermont. Clinton pointed to her victory as a sign that Americans would reject the language coming from her Republican opponents, taking a jab at GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.

“Instead of building walls, we’re going to break down barriers and build ladders of opportunity and empowerment so that every american can live up to his or her potential because then and only then can America live up to its full potential too,” Clinton said during her victory speech in Florida. “The rhetoric we’re hearing on the other side has never been lower. Trying to divide Americans between us and them is wrong and we’re not going to let it work.”

Watch Clinton’s victory speech above.
What is a short summary of the above article?

OUT:

assistant: Clinton easily won big on Tuesday