Gabriela Sandoval Requena
4:20:16
Good afternoon Chair Ayala and Council Central staff.
4:20:19
Good to see you here.
4:20:20
Thank you for holding this important, long and important hearing and for the opportunity to testify on behalf of New Destiny Housing.
4:20:28
My name is Gabriela Sandoval Requena, and I am the director of policy and communications at New Destiny.
4:20:34
New Destiny is the only organization in New York that is focused 100% on permitted housing solutions for domestic violence survivors.
4:20:42
We implemented the first federally funded rapid rehousing program for survivors in New York City.
4:20:49
And we also operate the largest stock of supportive housing for domestic violence survivors in New York.
4:20:56
We're also a co convener of the Family Homelessness Coalition.
4:21:00
We do this work because domestic violence is the number one cause of family homelessness in New York City.
4:21:06
In fact, domestic violence pushes double the number of families into shelter than evictions.
4:21:13
And access to safe and affordable homes often determines whether survivors leave their abuser and stay alive.
4:21:19
The federal government is threatening to cut federal funding for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, which provides critical programs for survivors and New Yorkers in general.
4:21:32
Since 2018, New Destiny has received HUD funding to help hundreds of survivors find a safe, affordable home.
4:21:39
And in many cases, we also provide temporary rental assistance to them for up to two years.
4:21:44
But our program and hundreds of others like it in New York City are at risk of disappearing.
4:21:49
Additionally, funding for Section eight is being threatened.
4:21:54
So this year, more than ever, we need our city to step up and protect survivors.
4:21:58
We're submitting extended testimony, so I'll summarize our two priorities.
4:22:02
First is enhancing city FEPs, And second is increasing funding for the city's flexible funding program for domestic violence survivors to 6,000,000.
4:22:13
This initiative was rolled out last year as part of the existing Home Plus program.
4:22:17
But due to underfunding it hasn't had the impact that it should.
4:22:21
Thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions.
