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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kameeza Nizam-Chattoo, Senior Deputy Director of Residential Services at Sanctuary for Families
2:05:58
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3 min
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Kameeza Nizam-Chattoo from Sanctuary for Families testified on supporting domestic violence survivors in New York City's shelter system. She highlighted challenges in the current system and proposed several recommendations to improve services and housing options for survivors.
- Discussed the limitations of the current shelter system, particularly for single survivors and LGBTQIA+ individuals
- Addressed financial challenges faced by shelter providers due to the current reimbursement model
- Advocated for increasing public assistance benefits and expanding housing voucher programs to better support survivors
Kameeza Nizam-Chattoo
2:05:58
Oh, hi.
2:05:59
Can you hear me?
2:06:00
Thank you.
2:06:01
Good good afternoon.
2:06:02
My name is Kamise.
2:06:03
And I'm the senior deputy director of residential services, a sanctuary for families.
2:06:09
New York state's largest provider of comprehensive services exclusively for gender violence survivors and their children.
2:06:16
We are grateful for the opportunity to testify on the critical topic of supporting DV survivors in the city shelter system.
2:06:23
Our special thanks to council member, Fareluz, and Diana Yalla, chair chairs of the committees of women and gender, equity, and general welfare for calling this hearing and for this advocacy on behalf of marginalized gender violence survivors.
2:06:36
We also thank chair Ayala for introducing the 2 bills being discussed today, which Sanctuary strongly supports.
2:06:43
Last year, Sanctuary provided confidential shelter and supported services to 436 a dozen children at our 5 shelters.
2:06:50
4 small crusher shelters, and Star Burgh House, our 58 family tier 2 shelter, that was the state's first DV transitional shelter when it opened its doors in 1992.
2:07:00
Like all residential service providers, sanctuary makes every effort to maximize our shelter occupancy.
2:07:07
But this but the CDDB shelter system was designed for women with minor children fleeing abuse.
2:07:12
As a result, single survivors such as LBGTQIA plus trafficking older adults are left out in the cold.
2:07:22
The heads and beds per diem reimbursement model creates a serious financial dilemma for family shelter providers as they lose significant revenue every time they play single adults and uni's ear earmarked for families.
2:07:34
We thank the city council for its support of the safe shelter act passed by the state legislator in June, which would ensure that OCFS provides full reimbursement to shelter providers when a room intended to accommodate 2 family members is used to house a single adult.
2:07:48
Ultimately, we would like to see see this to a three person, excuse me, to see this to a three person units included into the policy.
2:07:57
The re this reimbursement model poses other challenges for service providers.
2:08:01
For instance, when residents must spend nights away from the shelters, such as when they're hospitalized or need to be out of town for valid reason, such as a family member passing.
2:08:12
A short re reimbursement is for hospitalization for 10 days, but if a client needs to go out out of state for, say, someone passing away or if they stay out of shelter, the agency is not reimbursed, which is very much unfair since we're not since we're still providing services.
2:08:28
Another critical issue, if you just give me two more minutes, Another critical issue is a state public assistance program, which are intended to provide financial help to abuse survivors as they work toward economic stability and independence.
2:08:39
These benefits have not been raised for years, even decades.
2:08:42
Currently, a single mother with 2 children Manhattan received a shelter allowance of just $400 per month, we support new Destiny's proposal to urge the state and the assembly to pass a 05543, which would increase the shelter allowance to 100% of the federal fair market rates and help to ensure that individuals can access safe and stable housing.
2:09:00
We also support new Destiny's proposal to increase the basic needs allowance to keep place with inflation.
2:09:06
Lastly, it's no secret that the situation for shelter residents when the exit shelter is dire.
2:09:12
We urge the council to strongly support the housing asset voucher program proposed by the state legislator, which will create a permanent state statewide section 8 like rental program.
2:09:21
The legislator should also be urged to help noncitizen New Yorkers by passing a bill expend expanding eligibility for city flex programs.
2:09:29
There are 2 vital steps to expand equitable access to housing for domestic violence survivors regardless of immigration status.
2:09:36
We employ the joint oversight efforts of the women in gender equity and general welfare committees and are deeply grateful for your efforts to tackle these challenging issues surrounding affordable housing in our city.
2:09:45
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today and for your unwavering commitment to abuse survivors.
2:09:51
Thank you.