Victor Lee Walker
5:10:21
Good afternoon to the chair and the members of the committee.
5:10:25
Thank you for this opportunity and Yaya.
5:10:27
Thank you for this opportunity to speak on an issue that frankly saved my life, supportive housing.
5:10:33
I'm Victor Lee Walker and I'm a resident of Jericho Project since 02/2017.
5:10:39
I was born in Detroit where I lived for forty years.
5:10:42
As a 10 year old child, I had dreams of moving to New York and performing on Broadway.
5:10:47
I'm proud to say the film Muppies Take Manhattan was my introduction to this great city.
5:10:53
However, I don't have to tell you how tough living in New York is.
5:10:58
Everything is expensive, food, transportation, housing.
5:11:01
Were it not for the lifeline of supportive housing, I would not be able to thrive the way I have.
5:11:07
Supportive housing provided me with more than a stable place to live.
5:11:10
It gave me the confidence and the freedom to change the trajectory of my life.
5:11:15
I struggled with multiple disabilities.
5:11:19
Without having to worry about my living situation I was able to focus on my mental health and physical health.
5:11:25
I was diagnosed bipolar two disorder two years ago.
5:11:29
I'm a stroke survivor and I have end stage kidney disease for which I am currently in dialysis.
5:11:36
Stable housing has allowed me to keep up with all of my doctor appointments and improve my quality of life.
5:11:42
Supportive housing literally saved my life every day, But don't pity me, with all the health challenges that I have, there are amazing things that are happening in my life despite the issues.
5:11:54
I'm happy to say that I'm my mental health is stable and I am also a student at Lehman College.
5:12:02
I'm here today to make a path for thousands of New Yorkers who want the opportunity to improve their lives by encouraging you to protect and expand funding for supportive housing.
5:12:12
Reallocating and fully funding NYC Fifteen Fifteen supportive housing initiative would allow for more mental health services, employment services, and case managers who are directly responsible
