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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Harold Alexis, Member of Neighbors Together and Vocal New York
3:20:50
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5 min
Harold Alexis, a member of Neighbors Together and Vocal New York, testified about his experiences with the City FHEPS (Family Homelessness & Eviction Prevention Supplement) program and the challenges he faced with housing and social services. He highlighted issues with the proposed "enhanced client placement support" policy, problems with his housing placement, and difficulties in communication with HRA and Homebase.
- Alexis described being pressured into accepting a studio apartment instead of the one-bedroom he requested, illustrating concerns about the proposed placement policy.
- He reported issues with his CityFHEPS voucher, including stoppage of rent payments and closure of his public assistance case, leading to potential eviction.
- Alexis expressed strong opposition to increasing tenant rent contribution from 30% to 40% after five years, arguing it would harm low-income residents.
Harold Alexis
3:20:50
Okay.
3:20:51
Hi.
3:20:52
Let me get my glasses.
3:20:53
My name is Harold Alexis.
3:20:55
I'm a native New Yorker and member of Neighbors Together and Vocal New York homeless union grassroots organization that advocate for affordable housing and fight homelessness.
3:21:06
I would like I would want to thank the council and the committee on general warfare for convening this budget hearing to discuss the city febs programs administered by the department of human resources administration.
3:21:20
These programs are essential for New Yorkers who rely on them to secure affordable housing in a city that has become increasingly unaffordable.
3:21:29
I want to share my experiences with city feps as a community voucher holder who received assistance from h r a and home base.
3:21:38
I would like to first address the proposed policy, enhance client placement support.
3:21:44
During my time in the shelter, I was linked to an apartment submitted for a one bedroom unit that I envisioned as my new found beginnings access to permanent housing and stability using my city theft voucher.
3:21:59
I was told by my housing specialist case manager and that I would like to move forward and take the apartment.
3:22:07
Unbeknownst to me when I viewed my new apartment it was not the same unit I signed up for.
3:22:13
And it was a studio when in fact I shared my with my housing specialist that my preference is a one bedroom.
3:22:21
I was baited and switched by management of the building and breaking ground with no support from my caseworker at the shelter and much to move into this apartment.
3:22:32
I felt my preference didn't matter and my automate I can't pronounce it, autonomy to make decisions on my new home was not considered.
3:22:41
Although enhanced client placement support was not being actively in force, when then my experience surely excellently what this proposed policy would look like.
3:22:55
People feeling rushed and pressured to take housing that isn't right for them or risk being kicked out of shelter.
3:23:02
I submitted a transfer request at home base due to medical concerns.
3:23:07
I was later approved for the transfer voucher, but when it came time to update my transfer voucher, that's when issues occurred.
3:23:16
Case workers and supervisors weren't responding to phone calls and emails.
3:23:21
In December of twenty twenty four, I was informed during my visit to HRA, my annual voucher renewal that my unc, my current rental assistance, and my current residence was stopped due to a transfer.
3:23:35
Please note, I haven't moved out yet, and home base continues to sabotage my move out plans, lost the approved transfer voucher, and was told my request wasn't good enough.
3:23:48
CityFeb stopped paying my rent to my current apartment, and I was told that I had moved, which doesn't make any sense because I never found an apartment or submitted a move in package to move into a unit.
3:24:02
The caseworker at CityFabs didn't present any proof nor were there any remedies provided to fix this blunder.
3:24:09
My public assistance case was closed, although I was in compliance with recertification and now I'm facing rental arrears.
3:24:18
Communicating with home base and h r a has been a challenge with delays to update my case.
3:24:24
I've learned that I am entitled to utility allowances but never was notified nor have I received any payments to pay my utilities.
3:24:33
Now I'm in the dark due to having no assistance to pay my electricity bill and HRA.
3:24:40
Is delaying help to turn my lights on?
3:24:42
Since incidentally, I went to HRA yesterday and they've since fixed the problem, my electricity is back on, so thank goodness for that.
3:24:54
40 of their income after five years.
3:24:57
This will cause housing expenses to exceed tenants' budget and with the rise of electricity cost and or other inflation, this will harm people.
3:25:08
The thought is truly overwhelming.
3:25:10
To conclude, to to the entire council, please take into consideration that both HRA and Homebase have set me up in a deplorable and despicable housing situation, and I'm now at risk of eviction, imposing rent burden on low income New Yorkers with city febs to under determine their stability and self sufficiency.
3:25:33
This situation needs to be handled with care and concern.
3:25:37
It will affect many city febs voucher holders if not resolved in a timely manner no matter no one should have to be be in this predicament in a program that is supposed to keep low income New Yorkers stable and permanent housing, but yet facing housing insecurity.
3:25:55
Housing is a fundamental human right, and I will relentlessly advocate for justice and peace.
3:26:01
I am deeply frustrated with the current situation and will not back down.
3:26:06
Thank you.