PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Jeanine Costley, Senior Vice President of Transitional Services at Institute for Community Living, on Veteran Homelessness and Mental Health Services
2:05:35
ยท
3 min
Dr. Jeanine Costley from the Institute for Community Living (ICL) testified about the challenges and efforts in addressing veteran homelessness and mental health issues in New York City. She highlighted ICL's work at the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence and emphasized the need for increased support and resources for nonprofit organizations serving homeless veterans.
- ICL serves 301 veterans through funding from the Department of Homeless Services and the VA
- In 2024, ICL moved 223 veterans into affordable, permanent housing, and 31 veterans have been housed so far in 2025
- Costley stressed the need for increased funding to address rising operational costs and to improve services for veterans with trauma and mental health issues
Jeanine Costley
2:05:35
Thank you.
2:05:36
Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for this opportunity to testify.
2:05:40
My name is doctor Janine Costly.
2:05:42
I'm the senior vice president of transitional services at the Institute for Community Living.
2:05:47
ICL is one of the largest providers of housing and behavioral health services for children, adults, and families.
2:05:54
We serve thirteen thirteen thousand people annually through our 40 programs across the five boroughs, including clinics, shelters, residences, and community based programs.
2:06:05
We currently serve three zero one veterans through the funding of the Department of Homeless Services, and we also obtain funding from the VA.
2:06:17
Thank you, Chair Holden, for your support of the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, New York's only residence dedicated, to serving veterans with homelessness.
2:06:27
Your leadership has helped us in so many in so many ways, and it's really helped upgrade the facility substantially.
2:06:34
I'm here today to talk about the city's concurrent mental health and homeless crisis, particularly for our city's veterans, and what needs to be done to ensure that nonprofits like ICL continue to get the help that's needed.
2:06:48
Ensuring that well-being is is is ensured with the Department of Homeless Services, we need a lot of different procedures and resources to help support our our our work.
2:07:02
ICL is committed to safeguarding and protecting our veterans by providing a safe and appropriate place for them to live.
2:07:08
We're dedicated to partnering with DHS and our community partners to help make our shelter and veterans resources the best that it can be.
2:07:19
Many residents at the Borden Avenue Veterans Shelter have seen combat and were and are living with the trauma regarding their past experiences and their past experiences with homelessness.
2:07:29
We provide a whole health support which underscores everything we do at ICL, includes medication management, nutrition, economic and job stability, and ensuring that we have stable and appropriate housing for our veterans.
2:07:43
ICL has moved 223 veterans into into affordable, housing, permanent and permanent housing in 02/2024.
2:07:56
And year to date, in 02/2025, we've already housed 31 veterans.
2:08:02
Our newest supportive housing residence in Evans Apartments includes 20 units for veterans, but so much more needs to be done.
2:08:09
And we would like to invest more in housing for veterans to ensure their stability, ensure their just their health and well-being.
2:08:18
Moreover, we need to revision the work that we do in the shelter system.
2:08:23
We're operating in within within a framework where there's been little to little increases and adjustments to reflect the growing costs of food, insurance, and operational expenses.
2:08:35
This trend is
Raul Rivera
2:08:36
Time has expired.
Christopher Leon Johnson
2:08:37
Thank and
Jeanine Costley
2:08:38
threatening to the lives of nonprofit organizations.
2:08:41
And we remain committed to working with the Department of Homeless Services and our partners to ensure that our veteran our veterans have housing and support to to rebuild their lives.
2:08:52
And we look forward to continuing working with the city and with the council, to help our veterans and to ensure their their stability and and housing.
Robert F. Holden
2:09:02
Thank you, Janine.