QUESTION
What are the current provisions and future plans for asylum seekers and shelter users in NYC, and how will budget adjustments affect them?
1:19:46
·
4 min
The NYC Mayor's Office of Management and Budget is changing service models and cutting costs, impacting provisions for asylum seekers and shelter users.
- The Office is shifting towards providing fewer services to manage costs more effectively.
- Essential services for asylum seekers, such as food and shelter, are maintained, but with adjustments to manage expenses.
- Budget Director Jacques Jiha mentions the challenge of sustaining services without identifying new funding sources.
- The current number of asylum seekers in care is approximately 64,800, down from a peak of 69,000.
- DHS shelter numbers are significant, with an estimated count over 48,000, indicating the scale of the shelter system challenge.
Diana Ayala
1:19:46
But in regards to so we, you know, we've been having a lot of conversation about the city facts and and and the I'm really concerned about the pets for the asylum seekers.
1:19:58
And I the reason that I'm, you know, I'm concerned is because you know, when the when we first when we opened the first Herk, I remember visiting the one on Randall's Island and, you know, there were beds, but there weren't many beds.
1:20:11
There was a space where people could congregate and, you know, just kind of even watch television, make phone course, play games or whatever.
1:20:18
I mean, do we have to keep in mind that these are folks that don't have jobs that don't have, you know, anywhere else to go?
1:20:24
If they come out of the tent, people get upset, they come out into the community.
1:20:28
People got upset, but there's nowhere for them to be in the site.
1:20:31
And so a lot of sacrifices were made.
1:20:33
The garbage facilities were eliminated.
1:20:37
A lot of the the the recreational space and activities were all eliminated as part of the pegs.
1:20:43
But the other day, we had a hearing and a gentleman came here and he had a book, a little a little cup.
1:20:47
And in that cup, he had a pack of raisins.
1:20:50
And that was that was breakfast.
1:20:51
It was a pack of raisins and yogurt that they received that morning.
1:20:56
And we've heard a lot about that.
1:20:58
At, right, the inadequate level of food.
1:21:01
So the devil's always in the detail.
1:21:02
Right?
1:21:02
So, yes, are we feeding folks?
1:21:03
We're feeding them.
1:21:04
But what we're what are we feeding them?
1:21:06
Is equally as important to me, and I'm really concerned that any further cuts, like, what are those well, how do the what do those cuts translate into?
Jacques Jiha
1:21:16
Yes.
1:21:16
Again, the our goal is not to impact those crypto services that will provide the solm certificates.
1:21:26
The goal is basically try to win down the cost in terms of the service model, we're changing this try to change the service model to provide less services, and therefore bring down the staff needed to provide those services.
1:21:45
And as I said, shifting from for profit and not for profit.
1:21:50
These are the strategies that we try and can use and more importantly, trying to bring down the sense Because as I said to you, it is critical.
1:22:05
Okay, that we would use the epsilon sensors because the past year and a half, we have over relied on pegs, and I know all of you don't like pegs, okay, to fund these alarm figures.
1:22:20
It's extremely difficult to go back to the agencies right now, to ask the agencies.
1:22:27
After all these bags, we had 6 of women of war.
1:22:30
Okay?
1:22:32
To do more pegs, to fund these aram stickers.
1:22:36
We have over Wheeler and I don't have a stream of funding to do it.
1:22:42
So therefore, we have to wind down the sensor.
1:22:45
As best as we get as we can manage down the sensors.
1:22:48
Because if that sensors stay up there, it is not sustainable.
1:22:52
I don't have you guys wanna give me a new source of funding, okay, to pay for this because I don't have it.
Diana Ayala
1:23:01
How many asylum seekers are currently in care now?
Jacques Jiha
1:23:04
64,000, about 800, I believe.
Diana Ayala
1:23:07
And how many?
Jacques Jiha
1:23:08
It's down used at the peak in January.
1:23:10
At the beginning of January, it's at 69,000.
1:23:13
Now we're down to 64,800.
Diana Ayala
1:23:16
And how many folks are in shelter that would be non asylum seeking shelter.
1:23:22
DHS?
Jacques Jiha
1:23:24
I would give you the numbers.
1:23:26
DHS, you have DHS numbers.
1:23:28
Yeah.
1:23:28
Quickly.
1:23:31
I would give it to you in a minute.
1:23:33
Okay?
1:23:33
Because
Diana Ayala
1:23:33
I believe it's significantly Yeah.
Jacques Jiha
1:23:35
It's significant.
1:23:36
It's over over over 48 something 1000.
1:23:39
I'm
Amanda FarÃas
1:23:39
getting It was
Diana Ayala
1:23:40
it was 48 a while ago.
Jacques Jiha
1:23:43
A while.
1:23:43
Yeah.
1:23:43
It's probably more now, but I'm I'm getting it.
1:23:45
I would give I would give it to you in a minute.
Diana Ayala
1:23:47
Yeah.
1:23:47
Yeah.
1:23:47
Okay.