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Q&A
Future plans and improvements for reducing veteran homelessness
1:02:09
ยท
3 min
Council Member Holden asks about immediate policy changes or new programs that could effectively reduce the number of homeless veterans in the city. Commissioner Hendon discusses several ideas for improvements and future plans.
- Suggestion to close Borden Avenue shelter and move veterans directly into supportive housing
- Proposed improvements to Borden Avenue shelter, including better lighting for a more residential feel
- Discussion of the need for more funding to assist veterans not eligible for VA health care
- Encouragement for more organizations to work within the system and apply for funding through programs like Dwyer and city council funding
- Plans to streamline the process for volunteers to visit and donate to veteran shelters while respecting privacy concerns
Robert F. Holden
1:02:09
So, I mean, I do have a question and this one is on the future plans and improvements.
1:02:17
I mean, are there any immediate policy changes or new programs that you believe would most effectively reduce the number of homeless veterans in the city?
1:02:26
And you know, or improving their living conditions, or to help ensure that the veterans achieve long term housing stability?
1:02:34
Like what, you know, what do we plan in the future to address that?
1:02:38
I know the answer is probably more affordable housing.
1:02:41
It's always the answer.
1:02:42
But let's say on the earlier levels.
1:02:46
So I think definitely at one point we have to close Borden and get them right into supportive housing.
1:02:56
That would, to me, they've earned that rather than going into a shelter.
1:03:03
By the way, just in my observations, what could be improved at that board, I know it's sidetracked a little bit, but just you go in there, the lighting is fluorescent lighting.
1:03:12
It's horrendous, and it's like an office, a giant office.
1:03:20
It probably was at one point before it was a shelter.
1:03:23
So that I would say, and that's an inexpensive, that's my next suggestion, if I could help with the funding, you know, but it needs really a more residential lighting.
1:03:33
That's one.
1:03:34
That would help a lot.
1:03:35
It's just the psyche of anybody living there.
1:03:38
You live in fluorescent lighting for twenty fourseven.
1:03:44
It's not good.
1:03:46
But anyway, what what let's talk about policy.
James Hendon
1:03:49
Yeah.
1:03:49
Throw some things out there, and then I'll defer if Sonia might wanna jump in on this.
1:03:52
I think the original sin here is it's for us on the DBS side, this is an unfunded mandate working with those who are not eligible VA health care, And that's something where I just wish there was some sort of but that's beyond us.
1:04:02
It's a federal issue.
1:04:03
Right.
1:04:03
Because if we when we've got each member of his team is doing 12 to 15 move outs per quarter, you can see how more of, you know, his people could equate to larger numbers here and recognize a lot of folks we are serving are specifically those who do not have VA health care coverage.
1:04:20
That's the top one from a policy standpoint, mister chair.
1:04:23
Another one I put out there is, you know, I mentioned in the testimony, you know, more organizations, you know, that are doing work within the system, you know, as far as more groups that are going to board and are working with those veterans who are housing insecure, who are justice involved, etcetera.
1:04:39
Like, I feel like that's one you know, you've seen us try to push folks to apply for funding through the Dwyer program, to be able to have resources to be able to help these folks.
1:04:47
I'm telling everybody, got until 5PM today to apply for city council funding, nyc.gov/vetcouncil funding, to kind of get some funding through this means.
1:04:55
So more organizations that are actually going into these sites, being with our people, I think, is always a good thing.
1:05:01
And the other one, something we're working on is making it just be very open about here are the steps you need to take if you want to, as a volunteer, come into board and come into one of the sites that have our veterans.
1:05:15
So that's something we're actively working on with our friends from DSS as far as the right way to make sure we have this posted online or in visible places where if a veteran organization wants to go to board and to make make donations, be it some day of service, etcetera, that it can go through the right traps so we can have them come.
1:05:31
But recognize a lot of the traps exist out of respect for people's privacy and confidentiality because this is a residence for many folks.
1:05:37
And so I think those are a few things that come to mind for ways that we can be of value, mister chair.
1:05:42
Yeah.