Q&A
ENDGBV's microgrant program for domestic violence survivors
0:43:52
·
5 min
Council Member Farah Louis inquires about ENDGBV's microgrant program for domestic violence survivors. Jennifer DeCarli provides information on the program's launch, application process, and current status.
- Program officially launched on July 1, 2024
- Working on establishing a low-barrier application process
- Average grant amount expected to be around $1,200 per survivor
- Goal is to process applications as quickly as possible, with some grants being turned around within a week
- Full data on program enrollment and impact not yet available due to recent launch
- In a previous emergency program, 377 survivors were served with an average grant of $1,243, totaling nearly $470,000 dispersed
Farah Louis
0:43:52
the committee council, we appreciate it.
0:43:54
Thank you.
0:43:56
In 2022, New York City took a major step in homeless homelessness prevention by creating a housing stability program for domestic violence survivors, also known as Michael Grant.
0:44:08
That's the elephant in the room.
0:44:09
The program managed by END and GBV provides low barrier grants to survivors and connects them to the supportive services.
0:44:20
With the goal of helping them maintain housing.
0:44:23
Last year, the Adams administration allocated 1,200,000 to establish a housing stability program for survivors of domestic violence and gender based violence.
0:44:34
The city council and advocates called on the administration to increase and baseline funding for the program and to include an additional 4,800,000 for FY 25.
0:44:48
Can you share with the public today the eligibility criteria and the application process for ENDGBV's microgram program?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:44:59
So thank you, Catalyst.
0:45:00
Catalyst, for that question, and we're really excited to officially launch that program in July of this year, July 1 2024.
0:45:08
We've been working really hard with our contracted providers.
0:45:12
To establish a very low barrier eligible for applications for the program.
0:45:18
And so we are meeting with them regularly, and we're in the midst of kind of getting a uniform application that we'd be happy to share with the council.
0:45:25
I know there's a report due by end of the year to the council on the program, and we'd be happy to share that uniform application by then.
Farah Louis
0:45:32
Okay.
0:45:33
How many survivors have applied for the Michael Grant program?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:45:36
Yes.
0:45:37
Alright.
0:45:38
Collecting the data quarterly, and we are meeting with the providers in collecting that data right now.
0:45:43
Again, we'll be happy to do
Farah Louis
0:45:44
that one more time.
0:45:44
Sorry.
Jennifer DeCarli
0:45:45
Sorry.
0:45:45
I'm talking really quickly.
0:45:47
We're meeting with the providers regularly, and we're getting quarterly data.
0:45:51
So our first quarterly report will be due, like, right about now, and we'll be getting a report to the council by the end of the year.
Farah Louis
0:45:57
Okay.
0:45:58
What is the average micro grant amount requested this calendar year for FY 25?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:46:04
So we don't have the number right now because we're collecting the data, but we're anticipating it will be what it was before when we launched the COVID emergency program.
0:46:11
Where it was approximately $1200 per survivor.
0:46:15
And that's the average we're expecting again, but we haven't put a cap on request.
Farah Louis
0:46:21
How long does it take for survivors to receive the microgram from the
Jennifer DeCarli
0:46:25
moment they apply.
0:46:26
So the goal of the program is to be as expeditious as possible with processing the applications.
0:46:33
And so we are encouraging our providers to get that brand out quickly.
0:46:38
And again, we'll be able to report that actual timeline by the end of the year to the council.
Farah Louis
0:46:43
If you had to give, like, an example of a time, what would that be?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:46:48
So right now, the requests coming in are often for renterrears because the goal of the program, right, is to keep people stayfully housed, either in their existing housing, or to help them move or relocate.
0:47:00
So I know, for example, from a client we've worked with at the family justice center recently, they applied to the program for relocation support.
0:47:08
They were able to get that grant turned around within a week, I think it really depends on the situation and the request by the client.
Farah Louis
0:47:15
So possibly a week or so?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:47:17
Yeah.
0:47:17
I mean, again, I think it's gonna be 10 depend on the request, but we're encouraging as expeditiously as possible.
Farah Louis
0:47:22
Thank you for that.
0:47:24
Currently, how many clients are enrolled in this program, and how does that compare to historical enrollment levels over the past several years?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:47:33
So, again, I wish I had more numbers to share, but since we just officially launched in July.
0:47:37
We are collecting that data and we'll have that report to you.
0:47:40
We are hoping that it's comparable in our emergency program.
0:47:44
We were able to get grants out to 377 survivors.
0:47:50
That was a program that we stood up really quickly during COVID.
0:47:53
The average grant amount was $1243, and we dispersed almost $470,000 in a few months.
Farah Louis
0:48:02
Alright.
0:48:03
In funding was not limited and the agency was able to support the full level of demand for the micro grant, how much would it cost and how many clients would it serve?
Jennifer DeCarli
0:48:15
That's a really big question.
0:48:18
I think that's what we're hoping to figure out with this program.
0:48:21
Mhmm.
0:48:21
We are really looking forward to continuing these conversations.
0:48:24
We're thrilled to have this program.
0:48:25
Correct.
0:48:26
I mean, because it just launched July, we just don't have those answers just yet, but we we hope to.
Farah Louis
0:48:31
I think my frustration, and it's not you.
0:48:33
No.
0:48:33
Just in general, we had a hearing earlier this year asking the same questions, and the frustration is that we don't have that information in advance.
0:48:40
So it would be great if we could work with the agency to make sure that every time you come to hearing, we have, like, some information to give.
0:48:47
But I understand that you're still in the process.
Jennifer DeCarli
0:48:49
Well, I can share if it's helpful, but it's not the reason I haven't shared it yet, it's not going exactly to your question.
0:48:55
The microcrants were, as you know, added on to our existing home plus programs
Diana Ayala
0:49:00
Right.
Jennifer DeCarli
0:49:00
And they provide 3 services, the lock change services, the personal alarm system services
John Rojas
0:49:06
Mhmm.
Jennifer DeCarli
0:49:06
And the microgrant services.
0:49:08
And they were able to get me the personal alarm numbers for this year.
0:49:11
So for FY 24, FY 24, we served 1417 clients with personal alarm systems.
0:49:20
They call them purrs in an FY 25.
0:49:23
So since July 1 2024, we've served so 191 clients with personal alarm systems.
0:49:28
So I apologize that we don't have the other numbers, but we are at least able to share that.
0:49:32
And that's because the flexible funding part just got added on on July 1st, so we're still kind of getting that initial quarter of numbers.
0:49:40
Alright.
Farah Louis
0:49:40
I'm gonna get back to you on the alarm because I see the difference in the amount of purposeful year.
