Q&A
Discussion on veteran homelessness and street vending as a path to self-sufficiency
1:33:36
ยท
3 min
Council Member Holden and veterans advocate Armando Crescenzi engage in a discussion about veteran homelessness and the potential of street vending as a path to self-sufficiency for veterans. Crescenzi argues for the importance of recognizing veterans' rights to vend as a means of addressing housing insecurity.
- Crescenzi highlights the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as a place where veterans self-identify for vending opportunities
- The conversation touches on the challenges veterans face in transitioning to civilian life and affording housing in New York City
- Holden mentions plans to address issues of police harassment of veteran vendors with the police commissioner
- The discussion underscores the complex relationship between veteran homelessness, employment opportunities, and city regulations
Robert F. Holden
1:33:36
Then I because we heard we understand this.
1:33:39
We're gonna you know, again, we're gonna address that.
1:33:41
But what we need is from you to address the topic of the hearing.
Armando Crescenzi
1:33:45
Sure.
1:33:45
So let me stay focused.
1:33:47
That's not really what was going to be my approach, but I will comply with your request.
1:33:53
So basically, there are thousands of veterans in the city who are housing insecure.
1:34:01
I don't know if you're aware of that.
1:34:03
Everybody talks about the outreach, the outreach.
1:34:06
So it's like where do vets sign up?
1:34:10
Where do they self identify?
1:34:12
Right?
1:34:13
Well, I know one place where they self identify at the department of consumer and worker protection where if you tell a veteran that he can work as as a vendor, street vending or food vending, then they come forward and self identify.
1:34:29
Every year, there's a turnover, there's roughly between a 1,500 service disabled vets who are stepping forward to self identify.
1:34:38
So if that is one of the weak links I would like to submit, that's one place to start.
1:34:45
The Department of Consumer Worker Protection.
1:34:48
Also, there are when veterans come back and face the city, you know, it's a hard city to make a living in, and the transition is likewise hard, and housing is just too damn high.
1:35:01
So self sufficiency is a crucial mechanism to to fight veteran homelessness.
1:35:09
Alright.
1:35:10
I do it.
1:35:11
I mean, I I from time to time, I find myself in financial difficulty, and I'm really grateful that I have the flexibility to Streetfan.
1:35:20
Now for some veterans it might be that that they're they're wanna start a business.
1:35:26
For other veterans, they're in crisis.
1:35:29
Either way, that opportunity should be available for New York City Veterans.
1:35:34
Actually, it's mandated by New York State that veterans have certain privileges, and I'm speaking specific specifically to, placement restrictions because this is one of the issues that drives veterans from seeking that self sufficiency as vendors.
1:35:50
The city and the city council and a myriad of agencies, if they recognized the rights of these veterans to to try to become self sufficient, alright, if these rights are recognized, then more veterans would step forward and try to do that.
Robert F. Holden
1:36:08
But but but
Armando Crescenzi
1:36:09
we're we're meeting with the
Robert F. Holden
1:36:10
police commissioner.
1:36:11
Hopefully, we get a date very quickly.
1:36:13
That's on the agenda of our five top projects or issues with the police commissioner to stop getting you know, stop having NYPD harass the veterans or at least, you know, let them let them have a location and let
Armando Crescenzi
1:36:28
them Well, they're actually I'm sorry.
Robert F. Holden
1:36:29
So I I just wanna get but we gotta move on.
1:36:31
We just have to move on.
Armando Crescenzi
1:36:32
Alright.
1:36:33
The officers who are issuing those tickets are actually in contempt of a court order.
Robert F. Holden
1:36:37
I we we that's what that's on the topic, and, I'll I'll bring back what the commissioner says about that.
1:36:43
So I know she's a she's a problem solver and I I'm sure she'll address it.
James Hendon
1:36:49
Thank you.
1:36:49
Thank you.
1:36:50
Yeah.