Robert Hess, who was appointed NYC Commissioner of Homeless Services in 2006, announced his resignation today. He told the NY Times, "I committed to the mayor to serve the second term, and I did that. I think it’s the right timing for the administration." However, the Times notes that he "is the latest high-ranking figure to leave the Bloomberg administration, in what aides to the mayor have privately described as a deliberate house cleaning intended to bring fresh faces into City Hall and clear out weak performers." The number of people living in shelters is now 36,000, up from 31,000 in 2006, and the city is now moving to charge some of the working homeless rent for living in shelters.