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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nadia Swanson, Director of Technical Assistance and Advocacy at Ali Forney Center
4:24:47
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67 sec
Nadia Swanson from the Ali Forney Center testifies about the severe financial challenges their organization faces due to late payments from the city. They emphasize the urgent need for systemic changes in contract payments to ensure the continued operation of their LGBTQ youth housing program.
- The organization has taken out over $4 million in loans in the last year, incurring $240,000 in interest
- They are behind on rent for 14 different sites and struggle to pay vendors and make payroll
- Swanson calls for guaranteed reimbursement within 30-60 days, faster transparent provider-centered reimbursement, and increased percentage of contract advancement
Nadia Swanson
4:24:47
Good afternoon Chair Stevens and Chair Juan.
4:24:50
My name is Nadia Swanson, pronouns theythem, Director of Technical Assistance and Advocacy at the Ale Fournier Center where we're a 20 fourseventhree 65 program for LGBTQ unhoused youth.
4:24:59
I'll keep this brief since our situation is sadly not unique and I don't need to tell you the impacts of late payments on young people.
4:25:06
But over half of our budget has been years behind.
4:25:09
We can't go into FY '26 without fixing the system, especially as the federal government is removing housing vouchers for youth and threatening our contracts for serving trans youth and those with HIV.
4:25:18
We have taken out over $4,000,000 in loans in the last year with $240,000 in interest.
4:25:25
We are regularly taking out last minute loans for payroll.
4:25:27
We're behind on rent for 14 different sites.
4:25:30
We are paying check to check for all of our bills and our subcontractors, ruining our relationships with them and not being able to make payments.
4:25:38
And every week there's a decision about who can get paid as a vendor.
4:25:42
And any time there's payroll no vendors are getting paid.
4:25:45
So we need a guaranteed reimbursement of thirty to sixty days, faster transparent provider centered reimbursement, and increased percentage of contract advancement.
4:25:54
Thank you.