QUESTION
Why has there been a decrease in IDNYC cards issued and in the program's budget for fiscal year 2024?
1:29:18
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122 sec
The decrease in IDNYC cards issued and the program's budget for fiscal 2024 remains unexplained by MOIA, which defers to the Department of Social Services (DSS) for answers.
- IDNYC cards issued and application processing have decreased in the first four months of fiscal 2024.
- The preliminary budget for IDNYC has been reduced by $1 million compared to the adopted budget.
- The Mayor's Office for Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) continues to support outreach efforts for IDNYC, despite being unable to explain budget decreases.
- The MOIA works closely with DSS to ensure outreach in various communities for longer-term immigrant New Yorkers struggling to access IDNYC.
Shekar Krishnan
1:29:18
1 was in regards to IDNYC.
1:29:22
This is a program that's been crucial for so many immigrant New Yorkers Of course, you know, my district in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst since the very rollout of the program, where my predecessor counsel is for Danny Drum, was one of the prime sponsors on the bill and really pushed for.
1:29:36
It's been an incredibly beneficial program in events that we've done for asylum seekers and resource spares.
1:29:44
We've also really pushed and had at IDNYC there in any way that we can incorporate them into our work.
1:29:49
But in the 1st 4 months of fiscal 2024, IDNYC cards issued decreased by 6884 compared to the same month in FY 23.
1:30:00
The number of applications processed also decreased in the 1st 4 months.
1:30:04
But this program, as I mentioned, is the only opportunity for undocumented New Yorkers to access photo ID.
1:30:11
Yet HRA's budget for IDNYC is reduced by 1,000,000 in the preliminary budget compared to the adopted budget of FY 24.
1:30:19
Can you explain the reason for these decreases?
Manuel Castro
1:30:24
Thank you, council member.
1:30:26
I really can't speak to the to the budget decreases.
1:30:30
Idea is now totally completely overseen by DSS.
1:30:36
Our role is really limited to supporting some other outreach work, but you're right that this is a really critical program for immigrant New Yorkers as an advocate.
1:30:46
I worked to establish this program.
1:30:50
Part of the reason why Moia is working closely with OASO, but separately is because we want to continue to reach out to those longer term immigrant New Yorkers who've had challenging a challenging time accessing IDNYC.
1:31:07
So we continue to partner with DSS to do outreach.
1:31:11
In various communities and ensure that they're connected with the ID.
1:31:15
But again, I have to defer to to my colleagues at DSS.
1:31:19
On these questions.