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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Gabriela Sandoval Requena, Director of Policy and Communications at New Destiny Housing
5:57:06
ยท
122 sec
Gabriela Sandoval Requena from New Destiny Housing testified about the importance of supportive housing for domestic violence survivors and the need for city investment in housing programs. She highlighted two main priorities: investing in NYC Fifteen Fifteen reallocation and addressing concerns about the federal government's decision to stop funding emergency housing vouchers (EHVs).
- New Destiny Housing is the largest provider of supportive housing for domestic violence survivors in New York State
- Domestic violence is the number one cause of family homelessness in New York City
- The organization is calling for city support to protect housing programs for survivors as federal funding is threatened
Gabriela Sandoval Requena
5:57:06
Thank you.
5:57:07
Good afternoon Chair Sanchez, Yaya, and Council Central staff.
5:57:11
Thank you for holding this important budget hearing and for the opportunity to testify on behalf of New Destiny Housing.
5:57:17
My name is Gabriela Sandoval Requena and I'm the director of policy and communications at New Destiny.
5:57:23
New Destiny is the only organization in New York City that is focused 100 on housing domestic violence survivors.
5:57:31
We do permanent housing, not shelters.
5:57:34
We are the largest provider of supportive housing in New York State, including three buildings in Council District 14.
5:57:42
We do this work because domestic violence is the number one cause of family homelessness in our city.
5:57:48
In fact, domestic violence pushes more families into shelter than evictions.
5:57:53
And supportive housing is one of the safest and most cost effective housing solutions for those who've endured domestic and gender based violence.
5:58:02
It provides them with a home they can afford and the support they need to heal and thrive.
5:58:07
As the federal government continues to threaten vital housing programs for survivors, this year more than ever we need our city to step up and protect New Yorkers impacted by domestic violence.
5:58:19
We are submitted we're submitting extended written testimony, so I'll just underscore two priorities here.
5:58:25
First, we asked the city to invest in the NYC Fifteen Fifteen reallocation as the Supportive Housing Network of New York proposes.
5:58:33
By reallocating scarred units into the congregate side, many organizations like New Destiny will be able to build more affordable supportive housing.
5:58:42
And second, we are deeply concerned by the federal government's decision to stop funding the emergency housing vouchers or EHVs as of the end of this year.
5:58:52
More than 7,000 New Yorkers depend on this vital housing resource including hundreds of domestic violence survivors.
5:58:58
We are pushing Congress to allocate funding to sustain the HV program but we really need HPD and NYCHA to start planning for contingencies.
5:59:07
Thank you and I'm happy
Pierina Sanchez
5:59:08
to answer your questions.