TESTIMONY
Paula Inhargue, Policy Analyst at United Neighborhood Houses, on Enhancing Access to Benefits Through Community-Based Organizations
4:43:17
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166 sec
Paula Inhargue highlights the critical role of community-based organizations in facilitating access to New York City benefits and addresses funding challenges.
- Paula Inhargue, representing United Neighborhood Houses, showcases the success of community-based organizations in helping New Yorkers access vital benefits.
- She emphasizes the importance of the New York City benefits program in fostering community outreach and benefits enrollment.
- Inhargue points out the specific challenges presented by the freezing and unfreezing of program funding, calling for financial stability.
- She advocates for continuous funding for all 36 community-based organization providers beyond the current fiscal year to maintain broad geographical coverage and support for diverse communities.
- Inhargue underscores the necessity of clear communication and sustainable planning for the future of the benefits program amidst fiscal uncertainties.
Paula Inhargue
4:43:17
Thank you, Tera Shalah, a members of the committee for having this hearing.
4:43:21
My name is Pauline Arge.
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I'm a policy analyst at United Neighborhood Houses.
4:43:25
United Neighborhood Houses is a policy and social change organization that represents neighborhood settlement houses that reach 770,000 New Yorkers from all walks of life.
4:43:35
Our members provide a wide variety of services to their communities, such as providing support to access benefits and case management for HR programs, including those that address food insecurity.
4:43:46
My testimony will focus on the New York City benefits program, and my written testimony goes into more detail and includes additional recommendations regarding food assistance and benefits access.
4:43:56
Settlement houses and community based organizations play a vital role in bridging the gap between the government and the community.
4:44:02
And New York City benefits.
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It's a program that formalizes that relationship.
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It supports community outreach and benefits enrollment in neighborhoods across the city.
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Through these programs, CBOs deployed dedicated staff members to help their community access benefits such as SNAP, cash assistance, and affordable housing among others.
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With a holistic approach that addresses various areas of need.
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Having in person and one to one support for an individual navigating benefits applications, results in fewer errors, and more successfully completed applications, as well as greater operating community, thus increasing the number of people receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.
4:44:39
New York City benefits providers have cited the promise and early results of this program and cited the collaborative nature with HRA as a great strength and potential model for other human services programs moving forward.
4:44:51
In late December of 2023, HRA made a significant announcement regarding freezing of funding for year 2 of the New York City benefits program due to the city's fiscal challenges.
4:45:02
This decision posts both financial and operational risks for settlement houses and other CVO providers placing them in a precarious and uncertain position.
4:45:10
A month later, HRA issued a new notice stating that funds will be unfrozen only through June 30th without a guarantee of sustained funding beyond that date.
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It is crucial that all 36 grantees have their contracts funded after June 30th, recognizing the ongoing need for the program.
4:45:28
This current list of contracted CEOs has proven that having a wide pool of providers gives the program a broader geographical reach, helps support specific populations with specific language and cultural needs, and provides several touch points throughout the city.
4:45:40
That is why the city must maintain $10,000,000 for the New York City benefits program in FY 25 and ensure all 36 CBO providers are able to continue their essential work.
4:45:51
They must provide clarity and the uncertainty that CBOs and staff have been grappling with for the last couple of months, allowing programs to plan ahead for the new fiscal year with sufficient time and certainty.
4:46:01
Thank you for your time.
