PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Gabriela Sandoval Requena, Director of Policy and Communications at New Destiny Housing
1:55:21
·
3 min
Gabriela Sandoval Requena from New Destiny Housing testified about the challenges faced by domestic violence survivors in securing affordable housing after escaping abuse. She highlighted key findings from their recent report "A Crisis Compounded" and provided recommendations to improve housing resources and services for survivors.
- Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness in NYC, with nearly 11,000 adults and children using the DV shelter system in 2023
- Only 9% of survivors left HRA DV shelters for housing in 2023, while over 50% moved to another shelter
- The testimony included recommendations in four areas: expanding access to housing resources, ensuring accessible supportive housing, increasing investment in programs, and improving data collection
Gabriela Sandoval Requena
1:55:21
Good afternoon.
1:55:23
Committators Ayala and Lewis members of the city council, I there are any still in in the staff.
1:55:30
Thank you so much for are convening this hearing.
1:55:33
I also wanna thank the survivors who share their testimony.
1:55:36
It takes a lot of courage to come forward and constantly inspire it whenever I hear them speak.
1:55:44
My name is Gabriela Sandoval Lakena.
1:55:46
I am the director of policy and communications at New Destiny.
1:55:50
New Destiny's mission is to end the double trauma of abuse and homelessness among domestic violence survivors.
1:55:56
For 30 years, we've been solely dedicated to the solution of permanent closing for survivors.
1:56:02
We are also a co convener of the family homelessness coalition and a member of the supportive housing network of New York.
1:56:08
Why do we do this work?
1:56:10
Because domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness in New York City, pushing thousands of vigils and children into shelter.
1:56:17
However, with so little housing options available to survivors, they are more likely to move from shelter to shelter instead of housing.
1:56:25
Medesigning recently released a report, a crisis compounded which documents the struggles and barriers that domestic violence survivors face when trying to secure affordable housing after escaping an abusive relationship and the long term impact that they face as a result of the abuse.
1:56:44
We will submit extended written testimony, so I'd like to use this time to highlight some of the key findings of the report.
1:56:50
As I mentioned earlier, domestic violence is one of the main causes of homelessness.
1:56:55
In 2023, nearly 11,000 adults and children went through the domestic violence shelter system, the largest in the country.
1:57:02
And year after year, more families with children enter the separate DHS shelter system due to domestic violence then evictions.
1:57:11
Is extremely difficult for single adults to enter the domestic violence shelter system.
1:57:15
And I just wanna flag that because that is usually LGBTQI members, community members, also people with disabilities and seniors.
1:57:24
I may continue to chair, I'll be brief.
1:57:27
Women of color are also impacted this proportionately.
1:57:31
Most of the survivors in the DV shelter system are children with children under the age of a being the largest age group, which is deeply concerning because we know the intergenerational effects of abuse and homelessness.
1:57:45
In 2023, more than 50% of survivors left HRA DV shelter for another shelter, and only 9% left for housing.
1:57:54
Survivors who time out of atria emergency domestic violence shelter without a secure placement must apply for DHS shelter at risk of being turned away.
1:58:04
The abuse has devastating long lasting negative health impacts, survivors are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes, more than half experienced post traumatic stress disorder and depression, and they can also sustain head trauma more likely and football players, but they're rarely diagnosed.
1:58:23
Our report gives 13 recommendations within 4 overarching areas.
1:58:28
I won't go through them for here, but I just mentioned the 4 overarching areas that are to expand access to housing resource and services, ensure supportive housing is accessible and adequately funded, increase investment in micrograms and flexible funding, and improve data collection and reporting.
1:58:46
We are grateful to the SSHRA for implementing some of these priority action such as amending the city supportive housing program to include survivors with children.
1:58:56
Additionally, I'd like to thank the counsel for considering legislation in this hearing to improve data collection and reporting on the missing violence shelter application and exits.
1:59:05
We look forward to continuing to work together to increase housing resources for New Yorkers impacted by domestic violence.
1:59:11
Thank you so much.
