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Q&A
HPD's relationship with hotels and challenges in locating emergency housing
1:21:26
ยท
175 sec
Council Member Sanchez inquires about HPD's relationships with hotels for emergency housing. Deputy Commissioner Santiago clarifies that neither HPD nor ARC have contracts with hotels, and placements are made on an as-needed basis.
- HPD and ARC do not have formal contracts with hotels for emergency housing
- Hotel placements are made based on availability and willingness to participate
- Challenges exist in finding nearby accommodations, often resulting in displaced residents being sent to other boroughs
- There are no statutory or contractual limitations on where displaced people can be placed
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:21:26
Thank you.
1:21:26
How many hotels does HPD contract with across the city, let's say per borough to be able to offer these emergency hotel stays?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:21:36
HPD does not contract with any hotels.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:21:39
Okay.
AnnMarie Santiago
1:21:39
And ARC does not contract with the hotels.
1:21:42
This is an on as needed basis.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:21:44
So what determines for instance, and I know council member Riley can relate to this, there have been so many fires where we have constituents sent to Staten Island, sent to Brooklyn knowing that there are existing hotels in the borough.
1:22:00
Maybe they're full, maybe they have space.
1:22:03
In many instances residents will come to us and say well I want to stay here and they call them they have space.
1:22:08
What determines whether or not they're placed in such hotels?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:22:12
And this is really, know, AHRQ doesn't have relationship with every hotel.
1:22:16
Not every hotel is interested in participating in this program.
1:22:19
This is not, there is no you know, this is this is AHRQ's relationship with these facilities and their availability of location.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:22:30
So there's nothing statutory contractual that is limiting where residents can be placed, displaced people can be placed?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:22:38
That first emergency housing, a few days is really the goal is to get temporary location for the families, the household to stay.
1:22:46
And we and ARC do their very best to do that as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:22:52
Okay.
1:22:53
I have specifically been told we have no hotels in The Bronx, and so I just want to make sure that I'm understanding correctly from you deputy commissioner that there are no hotels to be had.
1:23:05
These are just relationships and calls that that ARC makes trying to get hotels to accept displaced residents in their facilities.
AnnMarie Santiago
1:23:17
Yeah, that is correct.
1:23:18
Okay,
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:23:20
okay.
1:23:21
And so if a council member or other community folks are able to help locate for that immediate aftermath, If we're able to help locate a hotel that is willing to take the resident, then ARC is able to
AnnMarie Santiago
1:23:38
I think we would need to circle back with the American Red Cross because they have certain protocols about locations that they can use.
1:23:45
They have to arrange for billing and payment.
1:23:47
So I'm not sure that it's as simple as what you are suggesting.
1:23:51
But we can certainly circle back with the American Red Cross about that.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:23:55
Thank you.
1:23:55
And how does billing and payment work for those That
AnnMarie Santiago
1:23:59
again that's a matter between the ARC and the hotel.
1:24:03
Don't believe, right.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:24:06
We'll just have to swear you in.
AnnMarie Santiago
1:24:07
Sure.
1:24:07
Assistant Commissioner Kim to join me for the
Pierina Ana Sanchez
1:24:10
Hello, Assistant Commissioner Kim.
Yigal Shemash
1:24:14
Please raise your right hand.
1:24:15
Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and to answer all council member questions honestly?
Young Ju Kim
1:24:20
Yes I do.
Yigal Shemash
1:24:21
Thank you.