PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Teal Inzunza, Associate Vice President of Justice Initiatives at Urban Resource Institute (URI)
2:18:05
·
113 sec
Teal Inzunza from the Urban Resource Institute (URI) testified on the challenges faced by domestic violence survivors in accessing safe and affordable housing in New York City. She presented several recommendations to address these issues, emphasizing the need for expanded housing programs and financial support for survivors.
- URI supports key recommendations from a recent New Destiny Housing report, including expanding CityFHEPS eligibility and creating statewide Section 8-like housing vouchers.
- Inzunza highlighted the importance of including survivors in supportive housing programs and increasing investment in ENDGBV's microgrant program.
- The testimony underscored the urgent need to address the housing needs of single survivors, a point echoed by other testimonies during the hearing.
Teal Inzunza
2:18:05
Good afternoon, I think now.
2:18:08
Cherayala, Cherry Lewis, and the rest of the city council members that are here.
2:18:13
My name is Teal Insoons.
2:18:15
I am the associate vice president of our Justice Initiatives department at the Urban Resource Institute, the nation's largest provider of domestic violence shelter services.
2:18:25
We serve over 2000 people affected by domestic and intimate partner violence and homelessness.
2:18:32
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the critical issue survivors face in accessing safe and affordable housing.
2:18:39
The recent the recent report from New Destiny housing highlights several severe challenges survivors of domestic violence in New York City face, including immigration status limited financial resources and shortage of appropriate housing programs.
2:18:55
These barriers not only jeopardize the safety of survivors, but also hinder their long term stability.
2:19:01
URI fully supports several key recommendations from this report.
2:19:06
1, expanding city theft's eligibility.
2:19:09
2, creating statewide section 8, like housing vouchers 3, access to the shared program for tier 2 shelters 4, including survivors in the New York City 1515 support of housing 5, investing $6,000,000 in ngbb's microgrant program.
2:19:28
And lastly, reflecting the housing needs of single survivors as we've heard many testify today.
2:19:35
Each of these recommendations are essential ensuring survivors can escape abusive situations and rebuild their life lives.
2:19:42
Your eye stands ready to support their implementation and continue advocating for policies that protect and uplift survivors.
2:19:51
We will share more about these issues and a written testimony and think you for all of your leadership and on these urgent issues.
2:19:57
We appreciate you.
