When Henrietta Hughes had the opportunity to speak to Barack Obama she talked about the “urgent need” she had for a home, citing a two-year waiting list with the housing authority. You know, the I Need A Kitchen lady.

According to a local organization, however, Hughes already had the opportunity for free housing – and passed it up.

However, a local organization is coming forward saying Hughes isn’t being honest about how much help she’s had in the past.

The director of We Care Outreach Ministry, Tanya Johnson, says just last month she offered Henrietta Hughes permanent housing and a place to stay free for three months, but Hughes refused.

“We would have allowed her to stay for the first 90 days, no income. You know free,” said Tanya Johnson.

Johnson says she also gave Henrietta and her son Corey, money, food and offered Corey job training courses, but it was refused.

“We have extended a lot of her services to her,” Johnson said.

Hughes claims that the rent was actually $400, but she would still be at a net of a free +$400 every month because of her $800 disability benefits. Hughes also seems to have claimed that the services offered to her didn’t fit her needs, which leaves me wondering if beggars should be choosers in this case.

Also, Hughes asked this:

“Where was I going to get $400 a month to give her if I got these expenses,” Hughes told WINK News.

$14 bucks a day? I don’t know, you could always sell lemonade. It is Florida, after all. It seems to me the real problem is problem-based thinking.

I commented on this case on James T. Harris’ blog, in which I also pointed out that Hughes had at one point run into $47,000, which ran out in a few years.

Hughes now has a home, thanks to yet another generous Republican giving privately (Florida state representative Nick Thompson). But what if Thompson hadn’t done so? Would Hughes have held out for bigger, better government projects? Would she not accept help until we just started buying everyone in America a house?

Once again, the power of private charity over government redistribution wins out.

By the way, here is the video of Obama and Henrietta Hughes: