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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cristina Abbattista, Policy Analyst at Urban Pathways
4:01:51
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116 sec
Cristina Abbattista, a policy analyst at Urban Pathways, testified about the ongoing challenges faced by human services providers due to late payments and contracting issues. She emphasized the detrimental effects on their organization's sustainability and ability to serve vulnerable populations, citing millions owed by city agencies.
- Urban Pathways is currently owed $1.5 million by DHS and $2 million by DOHMH for various services.
- Abbattista urged the council to pass three bills (Intro 1247, 1248, and 1249) to address payment delays and improve the contracting system.
- She stressed the need for immediate release of funds, corrective action plans for retroactive contracts, and a centralized department to streamline contracting processes.
Cristina Abbattista
4:01:51
Good afternoon Chair Juan, Chair Stevens, and members of the committees.
4:01:55
My name is Christina Abatista, and I'm the policy analyst at Urban Pathways, a nonprofit homeless services and supportive housing provider serving over 2,500 single adults annually.
4:02:05
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
4:02:08
We appreciate the council's understanding of the detrimental effect that compounding late contracting issues has on human services providers and the communities we serve.
4:02:16
The backlog initiative created meaningful reforms to address the procurement challenges faced by non profits.
4:02:22
However, there continue to be months of catch up needed in the contracting process and getting reimbursements for services provided.
4:02:30
The lack of timeliness in payments threatens the sustainability of our programs and organization.
4:02:34
It makes it difficult to pay staff, vendors, and run programs for the people we serve.
4:02:39
Currently, Urban Pathways is owed almost $1,500,000 by DHS, which contracts our drop in center, safe havens, and stabilization beds, and around $2,000,000 by DOHMH, which contracts our permanent supportive housing.
4:02:52
The city must hold each agency accountable to pay invoices on time and clear the backlog of contracting actions.
4:02:59
To create a fair and transparent contracting system, the council must stand with the human services sector by passing the following bill package.
4:03:05
Intro twelve forty seven, require the city to immediately release 80% of contract funds upon registration.
4:03:12
Timely access to these funds ensures we can meet ongoing program needs and continue supporting the most vulnerable New Yorkers without interruption.
4:03:19
Intro twelve forty nine, requiring agency corrective action plans for retroactive contract registration.
4:03:25
Human services providers should not be penalized for delays that are entirely out of our control.
4:03:30
Intro twelve forty eight, create a department of contract services to oversee contracting and ensure consistent policies across agencies.
4:03:37
A centralized office would reduce bureaucratic redundancies by streamlining agency payment practices.
4:03:44
Thank you for your time, and there's more details in my written testimony.