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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Eric Lee, Director of Public Policy at Volunteers of America Greater New York on Hunger and Food Insecurity
2:36:02
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3 min
Eric Lee from Volunteers of America Greater New York testified on the growing issue of hunger and food insecurity, urging the City Council to address federal funding cuts and increase local resources. He also provided feedback on proposed legislation related to benefits applications and administration.
- Emphasized the need to maintain SNAP funding and restore the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
- Requested expanded support for VOA GNY's food pantries program across multiple boroughs
- Offered specific recommendations for improving proposed legislation, including Intros 245, 1028, and 1148
Eric Lee
2:36:02
Hi.
2:36:02
Good afternoon.
2:36:03
Thank you deputy speaker Ayala and members of the committee and central staff for, being here today and allowing me the opportunity to testify.
2:36:11
I am Eric Lee, director of public policy for Volunteers of America Greater New York, a 129 year old anti poverty organization which seeks to end homelessness in the Greater New York area through housing, health, and wealth building services.
2:36:26
I submitted written testimony which I will summarize given the time.
2:36:30
Thank you deputy speaker Ayala and members of the committee for your steadfast commitment to protecting the human services safety net.
2:36:37
Human hunger and food insecurity for low income households is already far too common and unfortunately it's only going to get worse.
2:36:45
With regards to federal cuts, we urge the council to use your voice to call on congress to maintain and increase funding for SNAP as commissioner Park, estimates that 1,800,000 New Yorkers rely on this critical lifeline and could cost the city up to 900,000,000 per year if congress does not back away from proposed cuts.
2:37:05
We also urge the council to call on congress to restore funding to the emergency food and shelter program or FSAP, which, was test testified by others today.
2:37:14
VOA Janway utilizes this funding to feed survivors of domestic violence within our seven DV programs.
2:37:21
And FEMA halted 3,900,000.0 in congressionally approved funding to us and 96 other FSAP recipients in New York City beginning on January 27.
2:37:32
Given these federal cuts, we urge the council and administration to double down on local resources to keep New Yorkers fed.
2:37:39
VOA GNY greatly appreciates the Brooklyn delegation's current support for our food pantries program, which is utilized to create food pantries within our SRO supportive housing sites as well as offer culturally appropriate meals and fresh food options within our shelters in Brooklyn.
2:37:56
We ask the council to please consider our f y twenty six request of $20,000 per borough to the Bronx delegation, Brooklyn delegation, and Manhattan delegation to further expand this critically needed program.
2:38:09
Do you mind if I offer comments about Okay.
2:38:12
Thank you.
2:38:13
With regards to the legislation being considered today, for intro February, we're supportive of DSS exploring the feasibility of creating a universal benefits application.
2:38:24
But one flag we have is it's not clear to us how city benefits benefits are defined based on section twenty one one fifty one of the code.
2:38:32
For intro ten twenty eight, we're supportive of streamlining public benefits but recommend that enrollment must have an opt in requirement rather than an opt out for each household in the adult sorry, for each adult in the household to make sure that they wish to receive benefits and avoid inadvertently harming their personal situation.
2:38:53
Examples where this could be problematic include survivors of domestic violence who are fleeing their abuser, young people who are seeking emancipation from the parent or legal guardians as both of those cases, if they're already added to a household and are trying to apply for their own benefits, would be denied.
2:39:08
And we also are concerned about immigrant households who would be seeking permanent residency status given the public charge concerns around that.
2:39:18
Finally, for INTRO one forty eight, we strongly endorse this legislation to require DSS to provide receipts and for applications for benefits and services.
2:39:27
We recommend the receipt also be automatically uploaded to the applicant's access h r a account so that they can download it on demand should they lose their paper copy.
2:39:36
And the receipt should also include the name and email address of the DSS caseworker to allow for timely follow-up by the client or provider as well as foster additional transparency and accountability within the process.
2:39:47
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.