PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Chris Mann, Assistant Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at WIN (Women in Need)
1:49:53
ยท
179 sec
Chris Mann from WIN (Women in Need) testified about the challenges and potential improvements for the CityFHEPS voucher program. He highlighted administrative inefficiencies, outdated systems, and the need for expanded eligibility to address the housing crisis in New York City.
- Recommended concrete time requirements for processing applications, conducting inspections, and issuing payments
- Suggested updating Access HRA to allow online applications and tracking for CityFHEPS
- Proposed streamlining the inspection process by categorizing issues into major and minor
- Advocated for expanding CityFHEPS eligibility, including to undocumented people
- Opposed the mayor's proposed $500 million cut to CityFHEPS and called for increased funding
Chris Mann
1:49:53
Good morning.
1:49:54
Thank you, Chair Ayala, for having this hearing.
1:49:57
Thank you for your relentless advocacy around city feps, and thanks to the committee members for the opportunity to testify this morning.
1:50:05
My name's Chris Mann.
1:50:05
I'm the AVP of policy and advocacy at Wynn, the city's largest provider of shelter and supportive housing to families with children.
1:50:13
We operate 16 shelters and nearly 500 units of supportive housing across the 5 boroughs.
1:50:18
Last night, just under 7,000 people called Wynn home, including over 38100 children.
1:50:25
In 2024, New York City shelter system saw a record, a 130,000 individuals each night.
1:50:32
CityFEPs has the potential to play a pivotal role in addressing this crisis, but it's held back by administrative issues.
1:50:39
That's why we partnered with REBNY, last year to put out housing more New Yorkers, a report that, is in the folder with you up there.
1:50:49
Unfortunately, administrative issues started the first step in the process.
1:50:53
Although the 90 day rule was repealed, in some cases, families are still waiting for months to be able to start their housing search.
1:51:01
Even after a family's overcome the heroic feat of finding an apartment, it can take weeks and sometimes months before they're able to move out of shelter.
1:51:09
To ensure that applications are being processed, inspections are being conducted, and payments are being issued on time, the council should pass legislation that sets concrete time requirements.
1:51:22
The administrative inefficiencies families face are compounded by outdated systems.
1:51:27
Access HRA must be updated to allow families to apply for and track city feb's applications and
Diana Ayala
1:51:31
renewals online,
Chris Mann
1:51:31
something that they should be and renewals online, something that they should already be doing, under local law.
1:51:38
Similarly, the current system, which is the system for processing city FEP's application, needs to be updated.
1:51:48
It's lacking core functionality, like named based searches.
1:51:52
Right?
1:51:52
To find a client, you have to search by a WMS case number.
1:51:57
Just absolutely ridiculous.
1:51:59
The inspection process should also be streamlined.
1:52:02
We recommend categorizing issues into 2 levels, major health and safety risk requiring full reinspection, minor issues that can be resolved, with photo or video proof.
1:52:14
With the looming cuts to the social safety net under the the new federal administration, we should be looking for ways to expand eligibility.
1:52:22
We continue to fight for the implementation of the city fepps expansion that you all passed and also support resolution 255 urging Albany to give the city permission to expand city fepps to undocumented people.
1:52:35
Expanding eligibility to undocumented households could save the city up to $3,000,000,000 each year.
1:52:41
Additionally, we strongly oppose the mayor's proposed $500,000,000 cut to city feps.
1:52:46
Instead, the city should be increasing funding for more vouchers and staff for DSS.
1:52:51
Thank you.