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Council Member Diana Ayala's opening remarks on the FY 2026 executive budget for Department of Social Services
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3 min
Council Member Diana Ayala, chair of the general welfare committee, delivers opening remarks for the fiscal year 2026 executive budget hearing for the Department of Social Services. She outlines the proposed budget, acknowledges some positive additions, but expresses disappointment in the lack of funding for crucial council priorities. Ayala emphasizes concerns about long-term solutions for poverty and homelessness.
- Ayala highlights the $15.2 billion (13.2%) allocation for the Department of Social Services in the city's proposed $115.1 billion budget.
- She expresses concern over the reduction in funding for the city FHEPS program, dropping from $1.27 billion to less than half in FY 2026 and outer years.
- Ayala stresses the need for prioritizing programs that help clients find and maintain permanent housing in their communities.
Diana I. Ayala
0:04:48
Good morning everyone.
0:04:49
I am deputy speaker Diana Ayala, chair of the general welfare committee.
0:04:53
Thank you for joining me for the fiscal year twenty twenty six executive budget hearing for the general welfare committee held jointly with the finance committee.
0:05:01
The city's proposed fiscal twenty twenty six executive budget totals 115,100,000,000.0 of which 15,200,000,000.0 or 13.2% funds the Department of Social Services encompassing the Human Services Administration and the Department of Homeless Services.
0:05:17
DSS serves the most vulnerable populations in the city, sheltering the homeless and improving the economic well-being of those facing poverty.
0:05:25
These services are more vital now than ever given the record high shelter senses and the economic challenges faced by low income New York City residents.
0:05:36
The council's budget response made it clear that protecting housing opportunities, bolstering the social safety net, and serving the most vulnerable residents are some of the council's top priorities.
0:05:47
I was glad to see that the administration added funding in fiscal year twenty six to current spending levels for HASA housing, the community food connection, and fair fares.
0:05:56
Additionally, I was pleased that the administration added funding for human service provider COLAs and baseline the prevailing wage for security at homeless shelters.
0:06:05
However, I am also disappointed to see that the executive plan did not add funding for crucial council priorities that were laid out in the budget response including to increase the baseline cash assistance, city feps and non asylum shelters to align with recent actual spending, to expand fair fares to individuals making up to 200 of the federal poverty level, to expand and baseline funding for the community food connection, to increase staffing and upgrade systems to improve client services and benefit administration, or to adequately fund the right to counsel program so that all eligible individuals can receive legal assistance.
0:06:42
I continue to be concerned that the city is not investing enough in long term solutions to address poverty and prevent homelessness.
0:06:49
The city's shelter census which continues to rise is both an expensive burden on the city and difficult experience for families and individuals.
0:06:57
The city should prioritize programs to assist clients in finding and maintaining permanent housing in their communities.
0:07:04
The budget for the city febs program dropped drops from 1,270,000,000.00 this fiscal year to less than half of that in fiscal year twenty twenty six and in the outer years.
0:07:17
At a time of record high demand and with federal funding at risk for programs such as section eight, we cannot abandon thousands of families who rely on city fabs to maintain housing and avoid entering shelters.
0:07:27
I would like to thank the general welfare committee for their work in putting this hearing together today.
0:07:33
Faria Rahman, finance analyst.
0:07:35
Elizabeth Shydres Garcia, finance analyst.
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Julia Haram as unit head.
0:07:40
Perdina Rosenberg, policy analyst.
0:07:42
Sahar Mozami senior counsel and I would also like to thank my chief of staff Elsin Carnacion and Stephanie Ejera.
0:07:49
And now commissioner Park our counsel will swear you in.