Shoeless Man in Viral Pic Not Homeless

By Melissa Russo, NBC New York

Shoeless Man in Viral Pic Not Homeless

December 4, 2012 Updated Dec 4, 2012 at 10:10 AM PDT

He may be shoeless, but he is not homeless.

Jeffrey Hillman, the barefoot recipient of boots from an NYPD officer last month, has an apartment in the Bronx, officials told the News 4 I-Team.

“He does have stable housing,” said Seth Diamond, New York City's homeless services commissioner. “We’ve worked with Mr. Hillman for years.”

Hillman used to be homeless, but entered shelter in 2009 before moving into an apartment secured by Veterans Affairs in 2011, city officials said. He pays his rent using a lifetime voucher for homeless veterans and his Social Security income.

Despite his permanent home, Hillman panhandles in Times Square, usually without shoes. When an NBC producer spotted him Saturday night and snapped a picture, his new boots from Officer Larry DePrimo werenowhere to be seen. He has offered varying accounts of why he was not wearing them and did not mention that he had an apartment.

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