Hearing on Veterans Homelessness in New York City (10/21/2026)

Summary

Joint oversight hearing on Hearing on Veterans Homelessness in New York City (10/21/2026) by the Committee on Veterans (Chair Morano) and the Committee on General Welfare (Chair Hudson), Wednesday, October 21, 2026, heard together with a disabled-veterans property tax bill (Int.
No. 1051), a winter-weather outreach bill (Int.
No. 897) and two resolutions (Res. Nos. 560 and 634).
The recording begins at 0:13 with the opening announcements and the captions run without a visible gap until the chairs close the hearing at about 5:02:35, where the last words are cut off.
The Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) testified for the administration; the Department of Finance, named in the tax bill, did not.
About six panels of veterans, providers and advocates followed, in person and by video, and no votes were taken.
Bill numbers and some names and figures below are as heard in the captions and should be checked against the agenda.

Basis: human-uploaded captions that may still contain errors. Time on topic is approximate and leaves out procedural remarks and panel changes.

Borden Avenue Veterans Residence Conditions

15:41-16:47, 35:05-41:46, 47:29-53:40, 57:21-1:04:11, 1:04:29-1:09:44, 1:20:28-1:20:47, 1:22:22-1:28:16, 1:43:16-1:50:13, 1:52:28-1:57:25, 2:13:10-2:15:08, 2:19:57-2:23:21, 2:27:52-2:45:31, 2:54:26-3:00:36, 3:01:43-3:09:28, 3:13:56-3:15:14, 3:30:30-3:32:13, 3:37:52-3:44:29, 3:56:07-4:01:58, 4:16:45-4:28:29, 4:30:37-4:33:51, 4:37:42-4:47:05, 4:47:43-4:55:29

The city's only veterans-specific men's shelter is run by the Institute for Community Living (ICL), the operator since 2008 (about 75 staff, per its leader Jodi Rudin); the city owns the building. Several Council Members visited in the days before the hearing, and the chairs visited again the night before.
DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton said the site (capacity 231) held 168 residents the prior week and had 198 beds filled by the hearing, with about 7 beds offline because of roof leaks and tarps; she said no one sleeps under a tarp. Serious incidents were down 44 percent (307 vs. 674, January to October 1), 911 calls down 48 percent (813 to 419) and transfer requests down 60 percent. Chair Morano asked whether staffing, programming or how incidents are recorded explains it; DSS said definitions were identical in both years and credited closer coordination with the provider.
Repairs described by DSS: a $4.3 million roof and skylight replacement (design done, entering procurement, work June 2027 to December 2029, with beds under skylights taken offline in phases), a $2.9 million flood wall (construction December 2027 to December 2028, 75 percent federal resiliency funding) and privacy partitions for all 32 showers in six to eight weeks (the operator said by the end of the calendar year). Members pressed on why a roof takes three years; Dalton agreed to look at ways to speed it up and report back.
Councilmember Won (whose district includes the shelter), Councilmember Wong and Councilmember Paladino described years of complaints about communal showers, leaks, food, thin substance use and mental health services, and residents being told to clear urine containers before official visits. Paladino called the conditions a disgrace, compared the roof cost with other city spending and asked for the provider's nonprofit tax filings.
Food and the kitchen were the sharpest practical dispute. Residents may not cook in any city shelter; DSS said outside food may be eaten in the cafeteria under escort and more microwaves are being explored, while several residents and Wong said outside food is confiscated and the commercial kitchen serves a culinary program rather than residents. The operator said that program (about 20 seats a cohort, run by another provider) had no Borden residents this cycle and set-aside slots are open to them. DSS said it is looking at using the kitchen differently and at changing how food is prepared.
Library and computers: DSS and the operator said the library is open around the clock and in use; some current and former residents said it is closed during groups and overnight, that computers had no internet, and that Wi-Fi sign-ins lock out after 24 hours. Chair Morano asked who is in the portrait on the library wall; DSS said it would find out.
Operator Rudin said about 80 percent of residents report a positive experience, overdoses are down 54 percent and move-outs to permanent housing beat city targets (figures differed between DSS and ICL, roughly 111 to 141 so far this year). She said ICL has raised the roof and shower problems with the city for many years and learned the funding and timeline only in recent weeks, and she explained that urine containers relate to medical conditions.
Public testimony was mixed. Former and current residents described sleep loss from noise, a cell-like layout, rude or absent casework and too little food; others said staff are responsive and residents must also keep rooms clean. Veterans groups asked for a new provider, a comptroller audit, an investigation or a new building, and the chair of the city Veterans Advisory Board, Ryan Graham, called for a documented review of contract compliance. Mecca Nelson, that board's vice chair, urged an independent review and a supported transition if the building cannot be made safe. Kristen Miller of Homeless Services United said provider repair requests pending with the city date back to 2018 (nearly $1 billion by her estimate).
Follow-ups promised by DSS: a breakdown of 911 calls, food per diem and nutrition standards, the number of culinary slots, and a copy of the visitor policy. No votes.

Veterans Homelessness in New York City

0:27-5:43, 6:41-8:28, 8:45-13:33, 17:06-31:43, 1:28:16-1:34:35, 2:00:14-2:13:10, 2:15:08-2:19:35, 2:45:47-2:49:00, 2:53:02-2:53:58, 3:22:32-3:25:42, 4:01:58-4:08:02, 4:55:49-4:59:07, 5:00:14-5:02:08

Opening: Chair Morano said 697 veterans were homeless in 2025, down 44 percent from 1,558 in 2015 but up from 482 in 2022, and asked what is driving the rise. Chair Hudson called a figure near 700 unacceptable. DSS reported a 2026 point-in-time count of 791 veterans in shelter and one unsheltered (as heard).
DVS Commissioner Yesenia Mata described the housing pipeline (outreach, navigation, subsidies, inspections, aftercare) and reported 209 permanent placements in the fiscal year, 318 housing viewings, 231 affordable-housing applications and 702 aftercare calls answered. Associate Commissioner Danny Smalls said all 209 are still housed; retention rates at 6, 12 and 24 months were promised later.
Other figures from the Q&A: median time from request to permanent housing about seven to eight months, with identity documents the usual delay; average shelter stay about 281 days overall (285 for single adults, 199 for adult families); 41 percent of 414 subsidized placements were supportive housing; prior addresses of veterans in shelter were Bronx 24 percent, Brooklyn 23 percent, Manhattan 21 percent, Queens 12 percent, Staten Island 2 percent and 17 percent with no verifiable city address (all as heard).
Dalton said the long-term decline owed much to federal housing vouchers, which she said have fallen about 93 percent from their peak; Hudson, Morano and others traded views on how much responsibility lies with the federal government versus the city.
Women and LGBT veterans: 55 women veterans were in shelter, with two ICL-run shelters holding set-aside beds and no dedicated shelter. Morano asked about a dedicated facility; Dalton said it had not been assessed but is worth reviewing. Neither agency could say how many transgender veterans are served.
Public themes: Phoenix House's president, Anne Marie Foster, urged veterans-specific treatment and fewer gaps between shelter and behavioral health; a health-foundation witness cited elevated suicide risk among homeless veterans and urged screening; an advocacy group said budgets, not thanks, show priorities (DVS preliminary budget about $5.9 million, as heard). Both chairs closed by thanking witnesses and committing to continue the work.

VA Per Diem Grant Funding for the Borden Avenue Shelter

5:43-6:41, 31:43-35:05, 45:00-47:29, 1:40:33-1:43:16, 1:50:13-1:52:28, 2:50:35-2:53:02, 3:12:58-3:13:56, 3:26:26-3:27:20, 3:29:33-3:30:30, 3:32:13-3:34:17, 3:34:57-3:37:13, 4:29:37-4:30:37

DSS testified that the city had received the federal Grant and Per Diem funding for more than 15 years. For the new three-year grant it applied in February 2026; in June the VA offered a 70 percent cut (from 154 beds and up to $4 million to 44 beds and about $1.3 million) with new terms tied to a federal executive order on gender that the city said would violate state and city anti-discrimination law and require asking about biological sex at intake. The city declined and the grant ended September 30, 2026.
DSS said the city is paying the full cost with tax-levy funds so no bed or service is lost, and that it now serves more veterans because the VA had been declining many applicants. Chair Morano asked why the city did not accept the reduced award for eligible beds and fund the rest itself; DSS said a new agreement could not be signed without violating law and agreed to provide the legal analysis. Costs will appear in a future financial plan.
Veterans advocates and a Staten Island task force questioned the explanation, saying records released to them show no such requirement unless it is on a redacted page, that the city could have known the terms when it applied, and asking how performance was measured. One witness said federal award lists show city beds falling from 154 in fiscal 2024 to 8 in fiscal 2027 (a witness claim, not verified here). Others did not want veterans pitted against transgender veterans and asked why the reduced award was not taken.
A current resident said the loss of the grant ended extra time away from the shelter that had helped his family contact.

Council Oversight Visits to Shelters

1:04:11-1:04:29, 1:09:44-1:14:07, 1:20:47-1:22:22, 1:34:35-1:40:33, 1:57:25-2:00:14, 3:17:32-3:20:14, 3:27:20-3:29:19, 5:02:08-5:02:35

Council Members said they were told at the door they needed permission from DSS and the mayor's office, and that they must sign a form the department treats as a nondisclosure agreement before entering Borden Avenue. Chair Morano said Council attorneys told him it is a patient confidentiality form.
Dalton said visits are governed by a written access procedure (heard as policy 2026-001) that implements State Social Services Law section 136 and the city identifying-information law; officials may talk publicly about tarps, food or showers but not residents' identities. Unannounced visits are allowed only in set cases such as court-ordered monitoring and are not part of the current procedure for Council Members; Morano noted that the visit the night before, coordinated with DSS, was not truly unannounced.
Chair Hudson read the state law and City Charter section 29 and argued that the Council has oversight authority to make unannounced visits without exposing resident identities. Councilmember Won asked for the laws to be read into the record; DSS said it would send citations.
Homeless Services United's Kristen Miller said the access policy is unique to DSS and has blocked volunteers, interns and donations, with some university reviews taking more than six months. Advocates said advance notice lets problems be covered up.
The chairs closed by saying legislative clarification of when Council Members may visit shelters is needed.

Street Homelessness Outreach

53:40-57:21, 1:14:07-1:20:28, 3:10:40-3:11:19, 3:11:37-3:12:36, 4:08:20-4:16:45

Chair Hudson asked about new Safe Haven and drop-in sites and the nonprofit ownership model. Dalton said sites are being considered but a citywide homelessness plan, promised within the year in the Block by Block report, will cover them; she knew of no site delayed by the budget office. She would not commit to the plan within 30 days but agreed to a written update on status and barriers.
Councilmember Wilson raised duplicate outreach by several agencies, a focus on contacts over placements and the move of 311 encampment reports from the police department to homeless services; Dalton said the change puts outreach and the legal determination in one place and that clinicians and peers are part of teams.
A legal-services attorney said shelters fail many street homeless people through lack of privacy, accessibility and curfews. A veteran outreach specialist described linking people to services and said harm-reduction work with veterans is rarely mentioned.

Res 0560-2026- urge Congress to enact the Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act

13:33-15:41, 3:46:15-3:52:51, 4:33:51-4:34:12

Sponsor: Councilmember Paladino. Calls on Congress and the President to let eligible veterans use VA home-loan guarantees to buy co-op apartments, a large share of the city's more affordable ownership market. A federal bill (as heard, H.R. 1803) would make a past pilot permanent.
Cleopatra Brown, who chairs a Brooklyn community board veterans committee, supported it, flagged a proposed 3.25 percent co-op loan fee as a possible barrier and urged a city initiative with housing agencies, lenders and counseling. A second witness also supported it. No vote.

Int 0897-2026- severe winter weather response for unsheltered New Yorkers

41:46-44:44, 3:11:19-3:11:37, 3:21:53-3:22:32

Sponsor given in the captions as Councilmember Foley (spelling unconfirmed). As described, it would require best-efforts outreach every two hours overnight during severe winter weather, coordination on transport and warming sites, and reports each winter.
DSS supports regular reporting but said the bill reflects an older approach built around a list of known vulnerable people; it now sends extra canvassers to reach the roughly 5,000 other people outside and asked to work on amendments. It cited a summer Code Red day with about 2,000 engagements. Providers supported the bill, though a coalition leader warned of an unfunded mandate and a legal-services attorney opposed forced removals. No vote.

Int 1051-2026- alternative property tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans

26:45-27:01, 3:53:35-3:55:49, 4:35:57-4:37:20

Sponsor: Chair Morano. State law now allows a property tax exemption for veterans rated 100 percent service-connected disabled, but localities must opt in. DVS supports the intent and deferred to the Department of Finance, which did not testify.
Veterans Advisory Board chair Graham said he first drafted the proposal in 2018 and urged quick passage with an implementation plan. Morano hopes to pass it by Veterans Day. No vote.

Res 0634-2026- designate Veterans Organizations Awareness Week

8:28-8:45, 4:34:12-4:34:32

Sponsor: Chair Morano. Would recognize roughly 500 veterans organizations (count garbled in the captions) and designate the week including November 11 each year. One witness suggested the week before or after, since Veterans Day week is crowded. No vote.

Other business

Opening announcements, thanks to committee staff and the rules for testimony (five minutes each; written testimony accepted for 72 hours). Present or recognized: the two chairs, Won, Wong, Paladino, Avilés, Ung (as heard) and Gutierrez; Wilson also questioned. Chair Hudson noted Wong stayed to the end. No votes were taken.

Time on topic (from transcript timestamps; approximate, includes side talk):

Topic	Minutes	Share
Borden Avenue Veterans Residence Conditions	129	46%
Veterans Homelessness in New York City	69	25%
VA Per Diem Grant Funding for the Borden Avenue Shelter	22	8%
Council Oversight Visits to Shelters	20	7%
Street Homelessness Outreach	20	7%
Res 0560-2026- urge Congress to enact the Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act	9	3%
Int 0897-2026- severe winter weather response for unsheltered New Yorkers	4	1%
Int 1051-2026- alternative property tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans	4	1%
Res 0634-2026- designate Veterans Organizations Awareness Week	1	0%

Sources

Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IBqVJt_lSQQ

Video

Transcript

These are uploaded (human-made) English captions; minor errors are possible.

Transcript

00:13THANK YOU GOOD MORNING AND

00:14WELCOME TO TODAY'S NEAR CITY

00:15COUNCIL HEARING FROM THE

00:17COMMITTEE OF VETERANS JOINED

00:18WITH THE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL

00:19WELFARE AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE

00:21TO REMIND EVERYONE TO PLEASE

00:23SILENCE THEIR ELECTRONIC

00:24DEVICES AND AT NO POINT IS

00:25ANYONE TO APPROACH THE DAIS.

00:27>>CHAIRS WE'RE READY TO BEGIN

00:31.>>HELLO EVERYONE I AM

00:34COUNCILMEMBER FRANK MORENO I

00:35HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING

00:37THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON

00:40VETERANS AND THIS IS MY KIND

00:42OF

00:42.>>HEARING NOT ONLY DO I LOVE

00:44TO SEE A PACKED HOUSE BOTH AT

00:48THE TESTIMONY TABLE AND NOT AN

00:52AVAILABLE SEAT TO BE HAD IN

00:53THE CROWD WHICH HOPEFULLY

00:54MEANS WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF

00:55MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

00:56TESTIFYING I'M ALSO HOPING

00:57WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS

00:59TESTIFYING ON ZOOM BUT YOU

01:01KNOW WHEN I SOUGHT TO HAVE

01:05THIS CHAIRMANSHIP I REALLY

01:06SOUGHT TO DO IT BECAUSE I

01:07THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A

01:08POSITION WHERE I COULD REALLY

01:09HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE

01:12PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WHO DON'T

01:13GET THE HELP THAT THEY DESERVE

01:15FROM THE CITY THE STATE AND

01:18THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN

01:18SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THEY'RE

01:22STILL THE FIRST TO HELP OTHERS S

01:25AND I'M PARTICULARLY EXCITED

01:27THAT IT IS A JOINT COMMITTEE

01:29HEARING WITH THE COMMITTEE ON

01:31GENERAL WELFARE I'M JOINED BY

01:35MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER

01:35CRYSTAL HUDSON CHAIR OF THE

01:37THE COMMITTEE ON WELFARE AND

01:38WE'RE DOING THIS JOINT

01:40OVERSIGHT HEARING ON ONE OF

01:42THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES

01:43FACING NEW YORK TODAY AND

01:45THAT'S THE ISSUE OF VETERAN

01:46HOMELESSNESS IN NEW YORK CITY

01:48THANK YOU FOR JOINING US T

01:49ODISCUSS THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC I

01:52WAS SO EAGER TO CO CHAIR THIS

01:56HEARING WITH COUNCILMEMBER

01:57HUDSON NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF MY

01:58RESPECT FOR HER AS A COUNCIL

02:01MEMBER BUT BECAUSE WE DO NOT

02:03SEE THIS THE WORLD THE SAME

02:04WAY WE COME FROM DIFFERENT

02:06POLITICAL PARTIES DIFFERENT

02:07IDEOLOGIES DIFFERENT BOROUGHS

02:09DIFFERENT GENDERS IF THERE'S A

02:11DIFFERENCE CHART WE'RE JUST

02:12ABOUT ON A DIFFERENT PAGE WHEN

02:14IT COMES TO EVERYTHING BUT

02:15WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT

02:19COMES TO THE IMPORTANCE OF

02:19NEEDING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT

02:21VETERAN SNUS AND IN ADDITION

02:24TO HOPEFULLY GETTING A LOT OF

02:25GREAT IDEAS IN TERMS OF FUTURE

02:27LEGISLATION IN ADDITION T

02:28OSHINING A LIGHT ON SOME THINGS

02:29THAT NEED TO BE SHINING A

02:31LIGHT ON IN ADDITION TO

02:33ENHANCING OUR OWN NOTIFICATION

02:38TAT BORDEN AVENUE SPECIFICALLY

02:40MY HOPE IS THAT BY HAVING TWO

02:42PEOPLE LIKE US WHO COME FROM

02:45TOTALLY DIFFERENT CORNERS OF

02:47THE WORLD ADDRESSING THIS

02:48PROBLEM IN A VERY REAL WAY AND

02:50TAKE IT SERIOUSLY HOPEFULLY

02:52THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL TO THE

02:55EIGHT AND A HALF MILLION NEW

02:56YORK ER'S THAT MIGHT NOT BE

02:57ATTUNED TO THIS ISSUE THAT WE

02:59HAVE 140 TO A HUNDRED 50000

03:02PEOPLE THAT COULD REALLY USE

03:03HELP IN THIS.

03:04>>CITY AND THAT'S WHY I'M

03:06EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

03:07>>LIKE MANY COMMUNITIES

03:08.>>ACROSS THE COUNTRY NEW YORK

03:10CITY CONTINUES TO FACE A

03:12HOMELESSNESS CRISIS DRIVEN BY

03:14RISING HOUSING COSTS AND A

03:16SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING R

03:20VETERANS ARE NOT IMMUNE T

03:22OTHESE CHALLENGES AND ENSURING

03:23THAT THOSE WHO SERVED ARE

03:25COUNTRY HAVE ACCESS TO STABLE

03:27HOUSING REMAINS A CRITICAL

03:29RESPONSIBILITY NOW THE GOOD

03:31NEWS IS NEW YORK CITY HAS MADE

03:34A SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN

03:35REDUCING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

03:36OVER THE PAST DECADE IN 20 2

03:405THERE WERE 697 HOMELESS

03:43VETERANS IN NEW YORK CITY

03:44THAT'S DOWN FROM 1558 HOMELESS

03:48VETERANS IN 20015 THAT'S A 44%

03:53DECREASE I CAN PROMISE YOU I'M

03:55GOING TO BE WORKING PRETTY

03:56HARD ON THIS ISSUE UNTIL THAT

03:58NUMBER GOES FROM 697 2 0 THERE

04:01SHOULD THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR

04:02VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN NEW

04:03YORK CITY AS FAR AS I'M

04:06CONCERNED AND THE SUCCESSES

04:08THAT WE'VE HAD ARE DUE IN PART

04:11TO THE COORDINATED EFFORTS OF

04:14AND THEIR PARTNERS WE'RE GOING

04:15TO HEAR FROM THEM ALL TODAY

04:18VETERANS EXPERIENCING

04:19HOMELESSNESS CAN ACCESS

04:20EMERGENCY SHELTER TRANSITIONAL

04:22HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE CASE

04:23MANAGEMENT AND PERMANENT

04:26HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND

04:27THESE SERVICES HAVE HELPED

04:28MANY VETERANS MOVE FROM

04:31HOMELESSNESS TO PERMANENT

04:32HOUSING AND ACHIEVE LONG TERM

04:36STABILITY HOWEVER BETWEEN 201

04:385AND EXCUSE ME BETWEEN 20 22

04:41AND 20 25 THE NUMBER OF

04:42HOMELESS VETERANS HAS

04:43INCREASED A LITTLE BIT SINCE

04:4620 22 WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE

04:48FROM 482 2 297 INDIVIDUALS SO

04:53WHILE WE ARE IN A MUCH BETTER

04:55POSITION FROM WHERE WE WERE 1

04:570YEARS AGO WE'RE NOT IN AS GOOD

04:59OF A POSITION AS WHERE WE WERE

05:01FOUR YEARS AGO WHAT'S GOING ON.

05:03>>WHAT'S DRIVING THAT WHY DO

05:05WE HAVE MORE HOMELESS VETERANS

05:06NOW THAN WE DID IN 20 22 AND

05:08MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT CAN WE

05:09DO ABOUT IT SO THIS INCREASE

05:12IS RAISING A LOT OF IMPORTANT

05:14QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER

05:16EXISTING HOUSING RESOURCES

05:17SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND

05:18HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

05:19EFFORTS ARE KEEPING PACE WITH

05:23CURRENT NEEDS SPECIFICALLY WE

05:24ARE GOING TO BE DIVING

05:27HEADFIRST INTO WHAT'S GOING ON

05:29OVER AT THE BORDEN AVENUE

05:33VETERANS SHELTER COUNCILMEMBER

05:34HUDSON HAS BEEN THERE I'VE

05:36BEEN THERE COUNCILMEMBER WANG

05:37HAS BEEN THERE I KNOW A NUMBER

05:39OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

05:40AND A NUMBER OF COUNCIL

05:42MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT ON MY

05:43COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN THERE AND

05:45WE ALL HAVE INDEPENDENT

05:47OBSERVATIONS AND WE'RE GOING

05:48TO BE POSING THE QUESTIONS

05:49ABOUT WHAT WE OBSERVED TO ALL

05:50THE FOLKS THAT YOU'RE GOING T

05:53OHEAR FROM TODAY THERE'S ALSO A

05:54WHOLE LOT OF UNCERTAINTY

05:57SURROUNDING FEDERAL FUNDING

05:57FOR THE BORDEN AVENUE VETERANS E

06:03CONFLICTING EXPLANATIONS THAT

06:03HAVE BEEN OFFERED REGARDING

06:06THE FACILITY'S EXCLUSION FROM

06:07THE LATEST VA GRANT AND PER

06:10DIEM FUNDING AWARDS WHAT'S

06:11GOING ON HERE IS THIS

06:13SOMETHING THAT'S EASILY

06:14RECTIFY ABOUL AND YOU KNOW

06:16BEYOND ON HERE ON HERE CAN WE

06:18MAKE SURE THAT EVERY VETERAN

06:20THAT HAD A A BED THAT WAS PAID

06:22FOR BY THIS VA GRANT SEES NO

06:25DISRUPTION IN THAT BED BECAUSE

06:28OF THE CITY'S DECISION TO OPT

06:29OUT OF THIS GRANT SO THE CITY

06:31HAS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING

06:34SERVICES QUESTIONS REMAIN

06:36ABOUT HOW LOST FEDERAL FUNDING

06:37IS GOING TO BE REPLACED AND

06:38WHAT IMPACT IF ANY THE FUNDING

06:41DISPUTE HAVE ON OPERATIONS THE

06:43DISCUSSION HAS ALSO RENEWED

06:44ATTENTION TO REPORTED CONCERNS

06:47ABOUT THE CONDITIONS AT THE

06:48SHELTER AND THE QUALITY OF

06:48LIFE FOR VETERANS LIVING THERE

06:50AT THE TIME WHEN VETERANS

06:53HOMELESSNESS IS RISING IT'S

06:55PRETTY IMPORTANT THAT THERE

06:57ARE ABSOLUTELY NO DISRUPTIONS

06:58NOT JUST TO HOUSING BUT TO THE

07:00SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT

07:03VETERANS ARE SEEKING THEM.

07:04>>AND IT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT

07:05THAT EFFORTS TO MOVE VETERANS

07:07FROM SHELTER INTO PERMANENT

07:09HOUSING REMAIN A PRIORITY

07:10REGARDLESS OF THE RECENT

07:13EVENTS A AFFECTING

07:13.>>FUNDING AND TODAY'S HEARING

07:14IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE

07:16THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE

07:18CITY'S RESPONSE IDENTIFYING

07:20REMAINING GAPS AND ENSURE THAT

07:23VETERANS EXPERIENCING

07:24HOMELESSNESS RECEIVE THE

07:25NECESSARY SUPPORT THEY NEED T

07:27OSECURE AND MAINTAIN PERMANENT

07:29HOUSING.

07:30>>IN ADDITION TO OUR OVERSIGHT

07:31TOPIC TODAY WE WILL BE HEARING

07:33ABOUT A NUMBER OF PIECES OF

07:36LEGISLATION INTRO NUMBER 205

07:390SPONSORED BY ME WHICH WOULD

07:41AMEND THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

07:43IN RELATION TO ALTERNATIVE

07:44EXEMPTION FOR SERIOUSLY

07:47DISABLED VETERANS I'LL TALK

07:48MORE ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE

07:48AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HEAR SOME

07:50TESTIMONY FROM AND FROM THE

07:52PUBLIC ABOUT THIS WE'RE GOING

07:53TO BE HEARING INTRODUCTION

07:55NUMBER 0 897 COUNCIL MEMBER

07:58FOLEY'S WHICH WOULD AMEND THE

07:59THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IN

08:00RELATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

08:02SOCIAL SERVICES RESPONSE TO

08:03CERTAIN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

08:04INES WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING

08:07A RESOLUTION NUMBER 0 560

08:10SPONSORED BY COUNCILMEMBER

08:11PALLADINO WHICH IS CALLING ON

08:12THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT T

08:13OENACT THE FAIR ACCESS TO CO

08:15OPS FOR VETERANS ACT AND WE'RE

08:18GOING TO BE HEARING RESOLUTION

08:20NUMBER 0 6 3 4 WHICH I'VE ALSO

08:23SPONSORED WHICH IS SEEKING T

08:25ORECOGNIZE 500 AND C 19 VETERAN

08:28ORGANIZATIONS AND DESIGNATE

08:29THE WEEK THAT INCLUDES

08:34NOVEMBER 11 ANNUALLY AS

08:35VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS

08:36AWARENESS WEEK BEFORE I

08:38CONCLUDE I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE

08:40COUNCILMEMBER HUDSON CHAIR OF

08:41THE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL

08:42WELFARE FOR WORKING WITH ME ON

08:43THIS OVERSIGHT HEARING AND

08:45IT'S CLEAR THAT SHE RECOGNIZES

08:47AS MUCH AS I DO HOW CRUCIAL IT

08:50IS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING

08:51ISSUES VETERANS FACE AND THE

08:53BARRIERS TO SAFE AND STABLE

08:55SHELTER THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE

08:58STILL.

08:58>>EXPERIENCE I'D ALSO LIKE TO

08:59THANK THE COMMITTEE STAFF A

09:02LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HANNA CONE E

09:08POLICY ANALYST MANOR BOOT BOOT A

09:13ROSENBERG SENIOR FINANCIAL

09:14ANALYST SANDRA GRAY AND

09:17COMMUNITY LIAISON SEBASTIAN

09:18NEMATT FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN

09:20PREPARING FOR THIS HEARING I'D

09:21ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY STAFF

09:23FOR THEIR WORK AS WE CONTINUE

09:25TO SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS AND

09:26THE CITY AS A WHOLE I'M

09:28LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY'S

09:30TESTIMONY AND TO STRENGTHENING

09:31SUPPORT FOR VETERANS

09:33EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN

09:34NEW YORK CITY I'LL NOW TURN

09:40SO MUCH CHAIRMAN RANO AND YOU

09:41KNOW YOU A WENT THROUGH A

09:44LITANY OF DIFFERENCES THAT WE

09:46HAVE BUT A COUPLE OF

09:48SIMILARITIES I WILL SAY ONE

09:49WHERE BOTH PARENTS AND YOUR

09:52SIBLINGS LIVE IN MY DISTRICT

09:53SO YOU'VE GOT SOME PRETTY

09:54SMART SO I DON'T WANT TO TELL

09:55YOU WHO THEY'RE FAVORITE

09:59COUNCIL MEMBER IS

10:00.>>AM GOOD MORNING EVERYONE MY

10:02NAME IS HUDSON I'M CHAIR OF

10:03THE GENERAL WELFARE COMMITTEE

10:04AND MY PRONOUNS ARE SHE HER I

10:06WANT TO WELCOME OUR VETERANS

10:09THEIR FAMILIES CAREGIVERS

10:09SERVICE PROVIDERS AND

10:10ADVOCATES WHO HAVE JOINED US

10:13TODAY YOUR INPUT IS INVALUABLE

10:14TO THE WORK OF THIS COMMITTEE

10:15AND PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN

10:17WHAT WE DO MOVING FORWARD AS

10:19MOST OF AS OF THE MOST RECENT

10:21DATA RELEASED ON VETERAN

10:22HOMELESSNESS IN NEW YORK CITY

10:24THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 700

10:26HOMELESS VETERANS IN OUR CITY

10:27INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE

10:28LIVING IN SHELTER WHILE THIS

10:30NUMBER REPRESENTS A DECLINE IN

10:31THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS

10:32VETERANS SINCE 20 14 IT IS

10:35STILL UNACCEPTABLE THESE ARE

10:36NEW YORKERS WHO VALIANTLY

10:37SERVED OUR NATION AT AN

10:39ENORMOUS PERSONAL COST AND WHO E

10:42COUNTING ON THEIR CITY TO

10:44GUIDE THEM INTO STABLE AND

10:45PERMANENT HOUSING OUR AIM WITH

10:47THIS HEARING IS TO HEAR FROM

10:48THE CITY'S PROVIDERS VETERANS

10:50AND HOMELESS ADVOCATES ABOUT

10:51HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE

10:52SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO OUR

10:54VETERANS THE HOPE IS TO HAVE A

10:57PRODUCTIVE CORDIAL DISCUSSION

10:58WHERE WE LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT

10:59IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND

11:00WHAT THE COUNCIL CAN DO AS AN

11:02OVERSIGHT AND LEGISLATIVE BODY

11:03AND HOW WE ULTIMATELY GET OUR

11:05VETERANS HOUSED.

11:06>>I LIKE TO MENTION AND THINK

11:09COMMISSIONER DALTON THAT FOR

11:11JOINING ME LAST NIGHT IN OUR

11:13VISIT TO THE BORDEN AVENUE

11:15VETERANS SHELTER I THINK THE

11:17COMMISSIONER HAS DONE A LOT OF

11:19WORK TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC

11:22SHELTER AND THE ISSUES THERE

11:24WE SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF

11:25VETERANS AT THE SHELTER LAST

11:27NIGHT AND I THINK ULTIMATELY

11:29WHAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON IS

11:31THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING WHAT

11:35THEY SHOULD AS VETERANS AND

11:36THAT'S NOT EVEN IN TERMS OF

11:38THE SPECIFICS AT THE SHELTER

11:40BUT BROADLY CULTURALLY I WILL

11:41SAY IN THIS COUNTRY I DON'T

11:44THINK WE'RE PROVIDING VETERANS

11:45WITH ALL THAT THEY NEED AND

11:46THAT THEY RIGHTLY DESERVE I'D

11:48LIKE TO THANK THE

11:50ADMINISTRATION FOR BEING HERE

11:52TO CHAIR MORANO AND MY

11:52COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR

11:54CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND

11:55ADVOCATES VETERANS SERVICE

11:57ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES FOR

11:59JOINING US I ALSO WANT T

12:00OTHANK COMMITTEE STAFF FOR

12:01THEIR WORK ON THIS HEARING THE

12:02NAMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN

12:03MENTIONED BUT I'LL SAY THEM

12:05AGAIN HANNA COHEN NINA

12:06ROSENBERG AND JUSTIN CAMPOS

12:08AND I ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY

12:10STAFF ANDREW WRIGHT ALEKA RUE

12:12WANTON DEMI BROWN AND MADDIE

12:14MOREHEAD AND WITH THAT I'LL

12:15RETURN THE MIC BACK TO CHAIR

12:16MURANO THANK YOU THANK YOU

12:19CHAIR HUDSON I ALSO WAS

12:20NEGLIGENT AND NOT

12:23ACKNOWLEDGING AND THANKING THE

12:24MAN WHOSE GOT THE TOUGHEST JOB

12:27IN CITY GOVERNMENT THE

12:29EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW

12:30YORK CITY REPUBLICAN

12:31CONFERENCE PETER SPENCER WHO'S

12:33BEEN A BIG HELP NOT JUST IN

12:34THIS HEARING BUT IN EVERYTHING

12:34THAT WE DO UM I WANT TO

12:38ACKNOWLEDGE SEVERAL OF ON THE

12:40VETERANS COMMITTEE THAT ARE

12:43HERE A MEMBER WANG COUNCIL

12:44MEMBER DE LA PEOPLE ARE STILL

12:47TALKING ABOUT FROM THE

12:48INCREDIBLE JOB THAT SHE DID

12:49SHARING THESE A I HEARINGS AND

12:53A COUNCIL MEMBER PALLADINO WHO

12:54HAVE TO TO TELL YOU IN

12:56ADDITION TO REPRESENTING MORE

12:57VETERANS IN HER DISTRICT THAN

12:58ALL OF THE REST OF US SHE HAS

13:01REALLY BEEN THE MOST VOCAL

13:04ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS

13:06COMMITTEE.

13:07>>TO PURSUE JOINT HEARINGS

13:09WITH OTHER COMMITTEES BECAUSE

13:10OF ALL THE COMMON AREAS THAT

13:13VETERAN ISSUES GO ALONG WITH

13:14THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE

13:15CITY AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU

13:17THIS HEARING IS LARGELY A

13:19BYPRODUCT OF HER ENERGY AND

13:21HER INSISTENCE THAT WE DO THAT

13:22AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU SO FAR

13:24ALL OF THESE JOINT HEARINGS

13:26I'VE FOUND TO BE INCREDIBLY

13:29INFORMATIVE AND INCREDIBLY

13:31PRODUCTIVE SO

13:32.>>COUNCILMEMBER PALADINO THANK

13:33YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY FOR

13:34VETERANS AND BEFORE WE BEGIN I

13:36WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO SPEAK

13:38ABOUT YOUR RESOLUTION WHICH I

13:40PROUD TO SPONSOR THANK YOU

13:43FRANK THANK YOU FRANK AND

13:44THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO

13:45CAME OUT THIS MORNING YOU KNOW E

13:50VETERANS SERVED OUR COUNTRY

13:51AND SHOULD HAVE THE

13:53OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEIR VA VA

13:56HOME LOAN BENEFITS TO PURCHASE

13:57A CO OP OR A CONDO AS JUST AS

14:00THEY WERE USED THEY USED THEIR

14:04BENEFITS TO PURCHASE HOME

14:05LOANS MUCH HOW MY MOTHER AND

14:07FATHER GOT THEIR HOME MY

14:09FATHER WAS IN WORLD WAR VET

14:11AND THEY GOT THERE ALONG

14:12THROUGH THE VETERANS I'D LIKE

14:14TO SEE TO THE EXPANSION OF

14:18HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

14:20ALLOWING ELIGIBLE VETERANS

14:22SERVICE MEMBERS AND SURVIVING

14:24SPOUSES TO USE THE VA BACK

14:26LOANS TO PAY TO TO THEIR CO

14:28OPS WE NEED TO ADDRESS NEW

14:30YORK CITY'S HOUSING MARKETS CO

14:34OPS AND CONDOS MAKE UP A

14:37SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF NEW

14:37YORK CITY'S HOUSING MARKET I

14:40CAN OFFER MORE AFFORDABLE

14:42ALTERNATIVES TO ANY OTHER

14:43TYPES OF HOMES HELPING THE

14:45VETERANS TO BUILD EQUALITY AND

14:48EQUITY MAKE IT EASIER FOR

14:51ELIGIBLE VETERANS TO PURCHASE

14:53A HOME AND FINANCIAL BUILD

14:54FINANCIAL AND PUT DOWN ROOTS

14:56IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THE

14:58BOTTOM LINE IT HERE IS

15:00VETERANS SHOULD NOT FACE

15:04UNNECESSARY BARRIERS T

15:06OHOMEOWNERSHIP SIMPLY BECAUSE

15:07THEY LIVE IN A CITY WHERE CO

15:08OPS ARE COMMON THIS RESOLUTION

15:12CALLS ON CONGRESS AND THE

15:13PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

15:16TO ADVANCE LEGISLATION THAT

15:18EXPANDS ACCESS T

15:20OHOMEOWNERSHIP AND GIVES

15:23ELIGIBLE VETERANS MORE HOUSING

15:25OPTIONS PARTICULARLY IN NEW

15:27YORK CITY SO WE CALL UPON YOU

15:28KNOW GRACE VANG INTRODUCED A

15:31GREAT BELL DOWN IN WASHINGTON

15:32I HAVE A TERRIFIC RELATIONSHIP

15:34WITH CONGRESSMAN MENG AND I'D

15:36LIKE TO SEE THIS SPED UP AAH

15:40THROUGH HER WORK WITH ME

15:41TOGETHER AT THE STATE LEVEL SO

15:44THAT'S BASICALLY ALL I HAVE T

15:45OSAY ABOUT THAT ARE VETERANS

15:47ARE NOT TREATED FAIRLY WE KNOW

15:50THAT WE VISITED BORDEN AVENUE

15:52AND I HAVE TO SAY WE'RE BEING

15:53VERY KIND IN OUR DESCRIPTION

15:56OF BORDEN AVENUE BORDEN AVENUE

15:58IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE AND

15:59THE IDEA THAT WE ONLY HAVE THE

16:01ONE HOMELESS SHELTER HERE IN

16:02QUEENS KNOWN AS BORDEN AVENUE

16:04AND IT'S IN THE CONDITION THAT

16:06IT'S IN IS SHAMEFUL AND WE

16:08SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES 6

16:14BUDGET YOU HEAR ME SAY THIS IT

16:15ALMOST EVERY COMMITTEE HEARING A

16:22HUNDRED $26 BILLION BUDGET AND

16:22OUT OF THAT BUDGET ONLY $6.

16:245MILLION GOES TO R VETERANS SO

16:28AS A COMMITTEE WE HAVE A LOT

16:30OF WORK TO DO AND THE FIRST

16:31THING WE NEED TO DO IS STIR UP

16:33SOME REAL MONEY WHETHER IT

16:35COMES FROM PRIVATE ENTITIES

16:36BUT WE NEED TO REINVENT HOW

16:42THE VETERANS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY

16:43THE CITY IS FALLING BEHIND AND

16:45.>>WE'RE FALLING BEHIND WORK

16:46OKAY THANK THANK YOU EVERYBODY

16:47.>>THANK YOU COUNCIL PALLADINO

16:50I BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE

16:51ADMINISTRATION I ALSO WANT TO

16:54ACKNOWLEDGE MY COLLEAGUES A

16:56COUNCIL.

16:57>>MEMBER NOURISHED MEMBER

16:58NOURISH COUNCIL MEMBER AVILES

17:00AND COUNCIL MEMBER AUNG WHO

17:01ARE ALL HERE JOINING US AS

17:03WELL I'LL NOW TURN IT OVER T

17:06OOUR COMMITTEE COUNSEL T

17:07OADMINISTER THE OATH TO THE

17:09WITNESSES FROM THE

17:12ADMINISTRATION GOOD MORNING WE

17:12WILL NOW HEAR TESTIMONY FROM

17:14THE ADMINISTRATION BEFORE WE

17:16BEGIN I'LL ADMINISTER THE

17:18AFFIRMATION AND PANELISTS IF

17:19YOU COULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT

17:20HAND I'LL READ THE AFFIRMATION

17:22ONCE AND THEN ASK EACH OF YOU

17:24TO INDIVIDUALLY RESPOND

17:25.>>DO YOU AFFIRM TO TELL THE

17:26TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND

17:28NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH IN YOUR

17:29TESTIMONY BEFORE THIS

17:31COMMITTEE AND TO RESPOND

17:31HONESTLY TO COUNCIL MEMBERS

17:35QUESTIONS YES YES YES YES YES

17:39OKAY AH THANK YOU AS A

17:40REMINDER TO ALL OF OUR

17:41WITNESSES PLEASE STATE YOUR

17:42NAME PRIOR TO TESTIMONY FOR

17:43THE RECORD THANK YOU THANK YOU E

17:49READY.

17:50>>GOOD MORNING CHAIR MARANO

17:51CHAIR HUDSON AND DISTINGUISHED

17:53MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES ON

17:55VETERANS AND GENERAL WELFARE

17:57MY NAME IS YESENIA MATA AND I

17:59HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS

18:01COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW YORK

18:02CITY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

18:05SERVICES THANK YOU FOR THE

18:07OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TODAY

18:08ON THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF

18:11VETERANS HOMELESSNESS AND T

18:12OHIGHLIGHT THE WORK OUR AGENCY

18:14IS DOING TO ENSURE THAT

18:15VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

18:17HAVE ACCESS TO SAVE STABLE AND

18:20PERMANENT HOUSING I ALSO WANT

18:21TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE.

18:24>>THE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO

18:26WHILE THEY NOT HAVE SERVED IN

18:30UNIFORM THEMSELVES CONTINUE T

18:31OSTAND ALONGSIDE OUR VETERANS

18:34IN SERVICE TO THEM FROM OUR

18:36CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

18:38GOVERNMENT PARTNERS AND

18:39NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS T

18:41OHOUSING PROVIDERS ADVOCATES

18:42AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE

18:44COMMITMENT REMINDS US THAT

18:45SUPPORTING THOSE WHO HAVE

18:46SERVED IS NOT SOLELY THE

18:49RESPONSIBILITY OF VETERANS OR

18:51ANYONE AGENCY IT IS A SHARED

18:54RESPONSIBILITY THAT REQUIRES

18:55ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER.

18:56>>AS A SOLDIER AND A MILITARY

18:59SPOUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT

19:01SERVICE DOES NOT END WHEN

19:02SOMEONE TAKES OFF THE UNIFORM

19:05NEITHER SHOULD OUR COMMITMENT

19:06TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED

19:08EVERY VETERAN DESERVES THE

19:09OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE WITH

19:12DIGNITY STABILITY AND A SENSE

19:13OF BELONGING IN THE CITY THEY

19:15CALL HOME HOUSING IS

19:16FUNDAMENTAL TO THAT COMMITMENT

19:19WHEN WE TALK ABOUT VETERANS

19:20HOMELESSNESS WE ARE NOT

19:22TALKING ABOUT A SINGLE

19:23EXPERIENCE OR A SINGLE PATHWAY

19:26INTO CRISIS SOME VETERANS ARE

19:28STAYING IN SHELTER OTHERS ARE

19:30FACING EVICTION STRUGGLING T

19:32OPAY RENT OR LIVING IN UNSTABLE

19:34SITUATIONS THAT NOT ADMIT IT

19:36IMMEDIATELY BE VISIBLE SOME

19:38ARE NAVIGATING PHYSICAL OR

19:39MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

19:43DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT

19:43TRANSITIONS OR A COMPLICATED

19:46SYSTEMS

19:46.>>OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO SEE

19:48TO SEE THE WHOLE PERSON AND

19:49INTERVENE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE R

19:53HOUSING AND SUPPORTED SERVICES

19:56TEAM PROVIDES AN END TO END

19:58VETERAN CENTERED APPROACH THAT

20:00BEGINS WITH OUTREACH INTAKE

20:02AND ASSESSMENT CONTINUES

20:04THROUGH HOUSING NAVIGATION

20:07APPLICATIONS SUBSIDY

20:08CORONATION INSPECTIONS AND

20:09LEAST FOLLOW UP AND EXTENDS

20:11INTO AFTERCARE AND HOUSING

20:13RETENTION OUR WORK IS

20:15GROUNDING GROUNDED IN A

20:17HOUSING FIRST ORIENTED TRAUMA

20:19INFORMED APPROACH RECOGNIZING

20:21THAT PERMANENT HOUSING IS A

20:22FOUNDATION FROM WHICH OTHER

20:24ASPECTS OF STABILITY CAN GROW

20:26VETERANS COME TOO THROUGH

20:29COMMUNITY PARTNERS SHELTER

20:31PROVIDERS VA FACILITIES DIRECT

20:33OUTREACH WALKING'S AND

20:34REFERRALS IT IS IMPORTANT T

20:36OOUR AGENCY TO MEET VETERANS

20:37WHERE THEY ARE AT FOR EXAMPLE

20:40ALTHOUGH THE BORDEN AVENUE

20:41VETERANS RESIDENT IS NOT

20:44DESIGNATED AS A VETERAN

20:45RESOURCE CENTER UNDER THE NEW

20:46YORK CITY CHARTER MAINTAINS A

20:50PRESENCE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES

20:51AND SERVICES TO RESIDENTS NO

20:52MATTER WHERE A VETERAN BE ARE

20:55STAFF WORKS WITH EACH

20:57INDIVIDUAL TO UNDERSTAND THEIR

20:58HOUSING STATUS AND INCOME

21:01SAFETY CONCERNS AND IMMEDIATE

21:03NEEDS TOGETHER THEY DEVELOP AN

21:06INDIVIDUALIZED HOUSING PLAN

21:07THAT PLAN INVOLVE LOCATING AN

21:09APARTMENT ARE RAGING A VIEWING

21:13GATHERING DOCUMENTATION

21:14COORDINATING WITH A LANDLORD

21:16OR IDENTIFYING THE SUBSIDY

21:18BEST SUITED TO THE VETERANS

21:21CIRCUMSTANCES NO SINGLE

21:22VOUCHER OR HOUSING PROGRAM

21:24MEETS EVERY NEED HELPS

21:26VETERANS NAVIGATE PATHWAYS

21:27THAT INCLUDE THE VETERAN FOCUS E

21:32SECTION EIGHT ADMINISTERED

21:33THROUGH NISHA OR AND HOT CASH

21:36IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED

21:38STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN

21:40AFFAIRS.

21:40>>WE ALSO ASSIST WITH

21:42DOCUMENTATION FOR ONE SHOT

21:43DEALS WHEN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL

21:45ASSISTANCE CAN HELP ADDRESS

21:46ARREARS OR OTHER HOUSING COSTS T

21:51INDEPENDENTLY CONTROL

21:54ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION

21:55INSPECTION PAYMENT OR APPROVAL

21:56OUR ROLE IS TO HELP THE

21:58VETERAN NAVIGATE THOSE STEPS

22:00AND KEEP THE PROCESS MOVING

22:01ACROSS AGENCIES WE HAVE SEEN

22:05MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ACCORDING

22:06TO OUR JULY 2026 VET STAT

22:10REPORTING PERMANENT HOUSING

22:11PLACEMENTS GREW FROM 55 AND 22

22:16TO A HUNDRED 1923 A HUNDRED 26

22:22AND 3 24153 AND F I 25 AND 20

22:259AND FI 26 AND F I 26 OUR TEAM

22:30ALSO COMPLETING COMPLETED 318

22:33HOUSING VIEWINGS AND ASSISTED

22:34WITH 231 AFFORDABLE HOUSING

22:38APPLICATIONS THESE NUMBERS

22:40REPRESENT INDIVIDUAL VETERANS

22:41TAKING STEPS TOWARD GREATER

22:43STABILITY AND THE SUSTAINED

22:44WORK STAFF AND PARTNERS BEHIND

22:48EACH PLACEMENT BUT A PLACEMENT

22:49IS NOT THE END OF OUR

22:52RESPONSIBILITY I WANT T

22:53OEMPHASIZE THIS POINT GIVING A

22:55VETERAN THE KEYS TO AN

22:56APARTMENT IS A MAJOR MILESTONE N

23:00KEEP THOSE KEYS IS JUST AS

23:03IMPORTANT A VETERAN STILL NEED

23:05HELP WITH BENEFITS

23:08RECERTIFICATION EMPLOYMENT

23:09FOOD HEALTH CARE OR UNEXPECTED

23:12FINANCIAL EMERGENCY WITHOUT

23:13THAT CONTINUED SUPPORT HOUSING

23:15PLACEMENT CAN REMAIN FRAGILE

23:17OUR CURRENT AFTERCARE

23:18FRAMEWORK INCLUDES SCHEDULED

23:20FOLLOW UP CONTACTS EXTENDING

23:22THROUGH 22 MONTHS AFTER

23:25PLACEMENT THOSE CONTACTS HELP

23:27STAFF IDENTIFY RENT OR SUBSIDY

23:30ISSUES HOUSING CONDITIONS

23:32SAFETY CONCERNS AND OTHER

23:33THREATS TO STABILITY AND F Y

23:3826 702 VETERANS ANSWERED AN

23:39AFTERCARE CALL ACCORDING T

23:44EARLY FOLLOW UP AND MORE

23:47CONSISTENTLY CONNECT VETERANS

23:48TO THE BROADER SUPPORTS THEY

23:50NEED ANY PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS

23:52REMAINS SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND

23:54APPROVAL ARE EXISTING POLICY

23:57REMAINS IN EFFECT PREVENTION

23:58MUST BE PART OF THE SAME

24:01CONVERSATION WHEN WE IDENTIFY

24:02A VETERAN AT RISK OF LOSING

24:04HOUSING WE CAN COORDINATE

24:06REFERRALS FOR FINANCIAL

24:08ASSISTANT LEGAL SUPPORT

24:10LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT BENEFITS

24:11AND OTHER SERVICES BEFORE THEN S

24:15HOMELESSNESS A SUCCESSFUL

24:16HOUSING SYSTEM SHOULD BE

24:18MEASURED NOT ONLY BY HOW MANY

24:20PEOPLE MOVE INTO PERMANENT

24:21HOUSING BUT ALSO BY HOW MANY

24:23REMAINED THERE

24:24.>>NONE OF THIS WORK HAPPENS IN

24:27ISOLATION WE RELY ON CLOSE

24:28CORONATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT

24:33OF HOMELESS SERVICES AND H R

24:35KNIFE NISHA AND THE VA SHELTER

24:39SHELTER OPERATOR OPERATORS

24:40PROPERTY OWNERS NONPROFIT

24:41HOUSING PROVIDERS AND LEGAL

24:42AND COMMUNITY BASED

24:44ORGANIZATIONS EACH PARTNER HAS

24:46A DISTINCT ROLE HELPS BRING

24:49THOSE ROLES TOGETHER AROUND

24:50THE VETERAN AND THEIR HOUSING

24:52PLAN THAT CORONATION IS

24:54PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WHEN A

24:55CASE REQUIRES REQUIRES

24:59MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS INSPECTIONS D

25:02PAYMENTS PROCESS BEFORE A MOVE

25:04CAN TAKE PLACE WE ALSO

25:05RECOGNIZE THE HOUSING NEEDS

25:07NEEDS TO INTERSECT WITH MENTAL

25:08HEALTH EMPLOYMENT AND FAMILY

25:11STABILITY A VETERAN SEEKING AN

25:12APARTMENT NEED A CONNECTION TO

25:15HEALTH CARE A VETERAN WHO HAS

25:17MOVED IN NEED HELP SECURING

25:18EMPLOYMENT OR ACCESSING

25:20BENEFITS OUR TEAM WORKS WITH

25:22VETERANS SERVING AND COMMUNITY

25:24PARTNERS TO MAKE THOSE

25:25CONNECTIONS RATHER THAN

25:26TREATING HOUSING AS A STAND

25:28ALONE TRANSACTION LOOKING

25:30AHEAD ARE STRATEGIC DIRECTION

25:32EMPHASIZES FASTER PATHWAYS T

25:34OPERMANENT HOUSING STRONGER

25:37LANDLORD RELATIONSHIP EARLIER

25:39EVICTION PREVENTION

25:40COMPREHENSIVE AFTER HAIR CARE

25:42AND BETTER PERFORMANCE

25:43TRACKING WE ALSO WANT T

25:45OSTRENGTHEN EQUITABLE ACCESS

25:47FOR WOMEN VETERANS LGBT PLUS

25:50VETERANS OLDER VETERANS

25:52VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES AND

25:53COMMUNITIES THAT FACE

25:55ADDITIONAL BARRIER TO SERVICES G

25:59HOW WE MEASURE PLACEMENT

26:01TIMELINES ABOUT YOUR

26:03UTILIZATION AND LONG TERM

26:05HOUSING RETENTION SO THAT WE

26:06UNDERSTAND WHERE THE SYSTEM

26:08WORKS AND WHERE IT NEEDS

26:10ATTENTION I WANT TO BE CLEAR

26:11OUR WORK IS NOT COMPLETE WHEN

26:14A VETERAN ACCESS SHELTER AND

26:15IT IS NOT COMPLETE WHEN A

26:17HOUSING APPLICATION IS

26:18APPROVED IT IS COMPLETE ONLY

26:19WHEN WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING

26:21WITHIN OUR ROLE TO HELP THAT

26:22VETERAN BUILT LASTING

26:25STABILITY THAT REQUIRES

26:27CORONATION ACCOUNTABILITY ANY

26:28WILLINGNESS TO KEEP IMPROVING

26:31OUR SYSTEMS OUR VETERANS HAVE

26:32SERVED THIS COUNTRY IN

26:33DIFFERENT ERAS IN DIFFERENT

26:36CAPACITIES AND WITH DIFFERENT

26:38EXPERIENCES THEY DESERVE A

26:40CITY THAT RECOGNIZES THEIR

26:41SERVICE NOT ONLY THROUGH

26:42CEREMONIES AND WORDS OF

26:45APPRECIATION BUT THROUGH A

26:47PRACTICAL PATHWAY TO SAFE

26:48STABLE HOUSING AND THE SUPPORT

26:49NEEDED TO REMAIN THERE LASTLY

26:51ON INTEREST 1051 THE

26:53DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

26:55SERVICES SUPPORTS THE INTENT

26:56OF THIS BILL AND REFERS TO OUR

26:58COLLEAGUES AT THE DEPARTMENT

26:59OF FINANCE THANK YOU FOR THE

27:01OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY AND FOR

27:03THE CONSUL'S CONTINUED

27:04ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF NEW

27:05YORK CITY'S VETERANS AND

27:07MILITARY CONNECTED COMMUNITY I

27:08LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED

27:10PARTNERSHIP AND HAPPY TO

27:13ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS GOOD

27:15MORNING.

27:16>>GOOD

27:17.>>MORNING CHAIR HUDSON CHAIR

27:18MORANO MEMBERS OF THE

27:19COMMITTEE ON GENERAL WELFARE

27:20AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

27:21ON VETERANS I AM AARON DALTON

27:23AND I SERVE AS THE

27:25COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT

27:26OF SOCIAL SERVICES JOINING ME

27:27TODAY AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

27:30FOR ADULT SERVICES ADULT

27:32SERVICES SHELTER OPERATIONS

27:33SONJA RUSSELL THANK YOU FOR

27:35CONVENING TODAY'S OVERSIGHT

27:36HEARING ON VETERANS

27:37HOMELESSNESS IN NEW YORK CITY

27:38THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT

27:40OF VETERANS SERVICES OR

27:42ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE MORE

27:43THAN 200000 VETERANS WHO CALL

27:45NEW YORK CITY HOME WE THANK

27:47THEM AND ALL U S VETERANS FOR

27:50THEIR SERVICE NEW YORK CITY

27:51HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS

27:52COMMITMENT TO VETERANS

27:54EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WE

27:55OPENED THE FIRST VETERANS

27:56SPECIFIC SHELTER IN THE

27:57COUNTRY LEAD THE COUNTRY IN

27:58EFFORTS TO GET TO FUNCTIONAL

28:01ZERO IN VETERANS HOMELESSNESS

28:01AND TODAY HAVE ONE OF THE

28:03LOWEST VETERAN HOMELESS RATES

28:04OF ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY IN

28:06THE 2026 POINT TIME COUNT WE

28:09COUNTED 791 AND SHELTER AND

28:11ONLY ONE UNSHELTERED PERSON

28:13WHO IDENTIFIED AS A VETERAN I

28:14WOULD LIKE TO START WITH AN

28:16EXPLANATION OF HOW WE IDENTIFY

28:18AND SERVE VETERANS IN THE

28:20HOMELESSNESS SYSTEM EVERY

28:21PERSON WHO COMES TO INTAKE IS

28:24ASKED WHETHER THEY SERVED IN

28:25THE U S MILITARY.

28:26>>WHEN SOMEONE IDENTIFIES AS A

28:29VETERAN CONDUCTS A

28:30VERIFICATION USE IT USING

28:32UTILIZING THE VETERANS AFFAIRS

28:35SQUARE SYSTEM WHEN A VETERAN

28:37IS PLACED WHERE A VETERAN IS

28:38PLACED DEPENDS ON WHETHER THEY

28:40IDENTIFY AS A SINGLE ADULT MAN F

28:43AN ADULT FAMILY OR PART OF A

28:44FAMILY WITH CHILDREN FOR

28:46SINGLE ADULT MEN WHO REPORT AS

28:48SELF REPORTED VETERANS STATUS

28:49THEY ARE OFFERED A BED AT

28:51BORDEN AREA VETERANS VETERANS

28:53RESIDENTS B A V R IF BE A V R

28:55HAS NO BED AVAILABLE OR IF

28:56THEY PREFER A DIFFERENT

28:57SETTING THEY ARE OFFERED

29:00ANOTHER AT THE VA VA VRA THE

29:02SITE'S OPERATOR THE INSTITUTE

29:03FOR COMMUNITY LIVING OR

29:06COMPLETES INTAKE INCLUDING

29:07SCREENINGS FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH E

29:09ABUSE SUBSTANCE USE AND

29:11DISABILITY NEEDS UNTIL OCTOBER

29:13OCTOBER ONE OF THIS YEAR RAN

29:15TWO PROGRAMS IN THE SAME

29:16BUILDING AT A A VA FUNDED

29:19PROGRAM THAT'S PARTLY FUNDED

29:20AND OVERSEEN BY THE U S

29:22DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

29:23THROUGH ITS GRANT AND PER DIEM A

29:28VETERANS PROGRAM FUNDED AND

29:29OVERSEEN BY FOR EVERYONE ELSE

29:30AT THE SITE.

29:32>>EVERY VETERAN REFERRED TO

29:34BEHAVIOR WAS ASSESSED FOR THE

29:36GPD PROGRAM

29:37.>>THE VA DECIDED ELIGIBILITY

29:39USING ITS OWN CRITERIA

29:41INCLUDING MILITARY MILITARY

29:42DISCHARGE STATUS ELIGIBILITY

29:44FOR VA HEALTHCARE AND

29:45WILLINGNESS TO FOLLOW PROGRAM

29:47RULES VETERANS THE VA ACCEPTED M

29:51VETERANS THE VA FOUND

29:52INELIGIBLE OR WHO CHOSE NOT T

29:54OTAKE PART WERE PLACED IN THE

29:57PROGRAM THE GI GI PROGRAM AT B

29:58A V VRA HAS NOW ENDED THERE IS

30:00NO LONGER A SEPARATE VA

30:01ELIGIBILITY DECISION AND EVERY

30:04BETTER AT B A V MRS IS PLACED

30:06IN THE PROGRAM STAFF FROM THE

30:07NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF

30:10NEW NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT

30:11OF VETERANS SERVICES THE VA

30:13AND THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

30:15FOR VETERAN FAMILIES OR VFW

30:17CONTINUE TO WORK ON SITE FOR

30:19SINGLE ADULT WOMEN WOMEN

30:21VETERANS ARE OFFERED PLACEMENT

30:22AT ONE OF TWO IKE RUN SHELTERS

30:24WITH BEDS SET ASIDE FOR

30:27VETERANS DOES NOT HAVE A

30:28SEPARATE SHELTER ONLY FOR

30:30WOMEN VETERANS AS OF OCTOBER

30:331855 WOMEN IN OUR SHELTER

30:35PROGRAM IDENTIFIED AS VETERANS.

30:37>>FOR ADULT FAMILIES THE

30:38PROCESS IS SIMILAR AT ANY

30:40MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WHO SELF

30:46FOR VETERANS DEPENDING ON THE

30:48FAMILY'S NEEDS FAMILIES WITH

30:50CHILDREN UNDER 18 APPLY FOR

30:51SHELTER AT PATH THAT'S THE

30:54PREVENTION ASSISTANCE AND

30:54TEMPORARY HOUSING INTAKE

30:55CENTER FOR FAMILIES WITH

30:56CHILDREN WHO INCLUDE A VETERAN S

31:00POSSIBLE TO THE YOUNGEST

31:02CHILD'S SCHOOL S S V

31:04PROVIDER'S WORK AT PATH T

31:05OCONNECT THESE FAMILIES TO F

31:09SERVICES

31:10.>>FOR ALL VETERANS WE SERVE

31:12WHENEVER A VETERAN IS PLACED

31:13IN SHELTER WHETHER SINGLE

31:15ADULT MEN SINGLE ADULT WOMEN

31:16ADULT FAMILIES OR FAMILIES

31:17WITH CHILDREN ARE SHELTERS

31:18WORK TO CONNECT THEM WITH

31:20APPROPRIATE SUPPORTIVE AND

31:22WRAPAROUND SERVICES VETERANS

31:24SERVICE UNIT PARTNERS WITH AND

31:26OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING F

31:28THE VA AND OTHERS TO CONNECT

31:30VETERANS TO THE WEALTH OF

31:31LOCAL STATE FEDERAL AND

31:32VETERANS SPECIFIC SERVICES IN

31:34OUR CITY INCLUDING HOUSING

31:35SERVICES MEDICAL AND

31:36BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE CITY

31:38STATE AND FEDERAL ENTITLEMENTS

31:40LIKE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND

31:42PENSION BENEFITS S STAFF LEAVE

31:43THIS WORK THROUGH REGULAR

31:45MEETINGS WEEKLY BI WEEKLY AND

31:47MONTHLY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS

31:48TO STAY CONNECTED AND SURE WE

31:50ARE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY T

31:50OSERVE OUR VETERANS THE FEDERAL

31:53GRANT AND PRETTY IN PROGRAM

31:54.>>I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN THE

31:56FUNDING NEW YORK CITY RECEIVED

31:57FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT PER

31:59DIEM PROGRAM OR GPD GPD DPD

32:02PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING T

32:04OSTATE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY

32:04BASED PARTNERS WHO PROVIDE

32:06SERVICES TO VETERANS

32:08EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

32:09HOMELESSNESS FOCUSING ON

32:10TRANSITIONAL SUPPORTIVE

32:11HOUSING AS A STEP STONE

32:12TOWARDS PERMANENT HOUSING THE

32:15V A DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY FOR

32:16THESE SERVICES AND PLACEMENT

32:17PLACEMENTS THROUGH THE GI

32:20PROGRAM SUBSEQUENT TO A

32:21STANDARD INTAKE PROCESS

32:24PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED

32:24.>>NEW YORK CITY HAS BEEN A

32:26PROUD RECIPIENT OF FUNDING

32:27FROM THE GPD PROGRAM FOR OVER

32:3015 YEARS LEADING INTO 20 26

32:31WITH OUR LAST THREE YEAR

32:33FUNDING AGREEMENT ENDING THE

32:34DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS

32:36SERVICES APPLIED FOR A NEW

32:36GRANT IN FEBRUARY 2026 IN JUN

32:41E2026 THE VA RESPONDED WITH

32:41THEIR PROPOSED FUNDING FOR THE

32:43NEW GRANT AND IF WE HAD

32:44ACCEPTED THE GRANT WE WOULD

32:45HAVE RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL

32:46AWARD LETTER FROM THE VA IN

32:48THE GRAND AWARD WHICH

32:50PREVIOUSLY COVERED 154 BEDS

32:51AND UP TO $4 MILLION WAS

32:53REDUCED BY 70% TO COVER ONLY

32:5644 BEDS AND PROVIDE UP IN

33:00FUNDING IN ADDITION FOR THE

33:01FIRST TIME AND AS A DIRECT

33:02RESULT OF THE FEDERAL

33:03EXECUTIVE ORDER 1 4 1 6

33:078DEFENDING WOMEN'S GENDER

33:08IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND

33:09RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH T

33:10OTHE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUED

33:14JANUARY 20 2020 25 THE GRANT

33:15AGREEMENT LANGUAGE INCLUDED

33:16TERMS AND CONDITIONS THAT

33:18COULD NOT AGREE TO FOR D H S

33:20TO AGREE WITH AND COMPLY WITH

33:21THE GRANTS TERMS AND

33:23CONDITIONS WE WOULDN'T WE

33:24WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF STATE

33:25AND LOCAL LAWS THAT PROTECT

33:28PEOPLE FROM DISCRIMINATION ON

33:29THE BASIS OF GENDER THOSE LAWS

33:30INCLUDE NEW YORK STATE LAW AND

33:33WHY AND WHY LAW HUNDRED 96 TO

33:38DASH A NEW YORK STATE

33:40REGULATION NINE NEW YORK CITY

33:42ARE RIGHT ARE FOR 166 DOT DOT

33:461 3 AND NEW YORK CITY LOCAL

33:48LAW ADMINISTRATIVE CODE TITLE

33:50EIGHT CHAPTER EIGHT

33:51.>>IN ADDITION TO THESE LEGAL

33:52BARRIERS THAT GRANTS TERMS AND

33:53CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE REQUIRED

33:55THAT CHANGE THE WAY IT

33:56OPERATES AND INTRODUCED

33:57DISCRIMINATION INTO THE INTAKE

33:59PROCESS G FOR EXAMPLE ARE

34:01REQUIRING THAT WE ASK

34:02QUESTIONS ABOUT BIOLOGICAL SEX

34:04TO ALL PEOPLE IDENTIFYING AS A

34:06VETERAN.

34:06>>GIVEN THIS IDENTIFIED CITY

34:09TAX LEVY DOLLARS NEEDED T

34:10OFILL THE GAP IN FEDERAL FUNDS

34:11AND INFORM THE VA THAT THE

34:13GRANT.

34:14>>OFFER WAS TO BE DECLINED T

34:16OREITERATE THE AGENCY IS NOW

34:17FILLING THIS GAP WITH CITY TAX

34:19LEVY FUNDING SO NO BEDS OR

34:20SERVICES ARE LOST AND EVERY

34:22VETERAN WHO NEEDS A BED GETS

34:24ONE.

34:24>>TODAY WE ARE SERVING MORE

34:25VETERANS AT A V E R A V R THAN

34:27WE DID WITH THE FEDERAL

34:28FUNDING FUNDING DUE TO THE VA

34:30DECLINING MANY VETERAN

34:31APPLICANTS FOR THE GRANT

34:32PROGRAM WHEN THE GRANT ENDED

34:35ON SEPTEMBER 30 2026 A HUNDRED

34:38THOUSAND 105 INDIVIDUALS WHO

34:39100 AND AND FIVE INDIVIDUALS

34:40INDIVIDUALS WERE RESIDING AT

34:41THE BEHAVIOR BEHAVIOR WHICH

34:42HAS A CAPACITY OF 231 AS OF

34:45NINETEENTH THERE ARE 168

34:48INDIVIDUALS RESIDING AT VRA IS

34:50NOW WORKING TO FILL ALL

34:52AVAILABLE BEDS AT BAY V R WITH

34:54OTHER SHELTERS AND NEW

34:55VETERANS WHO COME INTO INTAKE

34:58AND A TURN TO SHELTER

35:00OPERATIONS AND CONDITIONS AT

35:01BORDEN AVENUE VETERANS

35:03RESIDENCE.

35:03>>EICHEL SERVES AS THE

35:05PROVIDER B V R HAS HAS BEEN A

35:07PROVIDER THERE SINCE 2008 WITH

35:09THE CORPS MISSION OF HELPING

35:10NEW YORK CITY'S HOMELESS

35:12VETERAN COMMUNITY IMPROVE

35:12THEIR PHYSICAL MENTAL HEALTH

35:14THROUGH WRAPAROUND SERVICE

35:15SOCIAL SERVICES RECREATIONAL

35:16PROGRAMS TO HELP CLIENTS GET

35:17BACK ON THEIR FEET WORKS HARD

35:21TO HELP THEIR VETERAN CLIENTS

35:22TRANSITION TO PERMANENT HOMES

35:24173 VETERANS MOVED OUT INTO

35:27HOUSING AND FI 25 SURPASSING

35:28THE ANNUAL TARGET OF 155 AND

35:31ANOTHER HUNDRED 41 VETERANS

35:33MOVED OUT INTO HOUSING AND 2

35:366SINCE JANUARY 20 2655% OF

35:38CLIENTS HAVE GAINED OR

35:40MAINTAINED EMPLOYMENT IN

35:40ADDITION ALL CRITICAL MEASURES

35:42AT BORDEN ARE GOING IN THE

35:43RIGHT DIRECTION FROM JANUARY 1

35:48TO OCTOBER 1 26 THE SITE

35:48RECORDED 307 SERIOUS INCIDENTS

35:51DOWN 44% FROM 674 IN THE SAME

35:54TIME PERIOD IN 20:25 EVERY

35:57MAJOR INCIDENT CATEGORY

35:58DECLINED AND THE MOST SERIOUS

35:59TYPES DROPPED THE MOST

36:02PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES FELL

36:04BY MORE THAN HALF DRUG AND

36:06ALCOHOL INCIDENTS FELL BY 39%

36:08QUALITY OF LIFE AND FAILURE TO

36:10COMPLY INCIDENTS FELL BY 35%

36:12FIGHTS FALL BY 31%

36:14.>>CALLS TO 9 11 SHOW THE SAME

36:17IMPROVEMENT FROM JANUARY T

36:18OSEPTEMBER CALLS THAT THE SITE

36:19FELL 48% FROM 813 2 419

36:23AMBULANCE CALLS THE LARGEST

36:25CATEGORY DROPPED 49% DISPUTES

36:27FELT 58% AND REPORTS OF THAT

36:29FELL 80%

36:30.>>B A V R RESIDENTS ARE ALSO

36:33FILING FEWER COMPLAINTS THERE

36:34WERE 35 COMPLAINTS IN 20 26

36:36WITH COMPARED WITH 43 IN THE

36:37SAME TIME PERIOD IN 20:25

36:41TRANSFER REQUESTS REQUESTS

36:42FROM RESIDENTS ASKING TO LEAVE

36:43THE SITE FELL BY 60% FROM 10

36:4824.

36:48>>WE WORKED TOGETHER WITH ICL

36:50TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY

36:50AROUND THE SHELTER AS WELL AS

36:52VETERANS STAYING AT THE

36:54SHELTER FOR EXAMPLE THE AVRA

36:57COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD MEETS

36:59QUARTERLY THREE MEETINGS HAVE

36:59OCCURRED THIS FAR THIS YEAR

37:00WITH A FOURTH MEETING PLANNED

37:02FOR THE BEFORE THE END OF THE

37:03YEAR

37:03.>>THE CAB INCLUDES COMMUNITY

37:07STAKEHOLDERS TO FILL

37:08FACILITATE OPEN DIALOG BETWEEN

37:10PROVIDERS ELECTED OFFICIALS

37:11COMMUNITY BOARD AND COMMUNITY

37:14MEMBERS CAB MEETINGS OFFER AN

37:15OPPORTUNITY FOR CONCERNS TO BE

37:16RAISED UPDATES ABOUT THE

37:17FACILITY TO BE SHARED

37:18SUCCESSES TO BE CELEBRATED AND

37:22TO ENCOURAGE ONGOING

37:23CONSTRUCTIVE COLLABORATION

37:24BETWEEN THE SHELTER AND THE

37:24SURROUNDING COMMUNITY

37:25.>>IN ADDITION TO THE CAB ICL

37:27HAS REGULAR HOUSE MEETINGS AT

37:29B A V R HOUSE MEETINGS ARE

37:31HELD TWICE A MONTH AND THE

37:33AFTERNOON AND EVENING THEY

37:34FACILITATE FACILITATE OPEN

37:35LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN

37:36SHELTER STAFF AND RESIDENCE

37:37STAFF HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY T

37:39OREITERATE HOUSE RULES SHARE

37:40UPCOMING EVENTS AND CLIENTS

37:41HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE

37:48ETHE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT A

37:49LISTENING SESSION WITH THE A

37:51VR RESIDENTS ACCOMPANIED BY

37:54ADMINISTRATOR REZA HENDERSON

37:55REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NEW

37:55YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF

37:56VETERANS SERVICES AND ICL

37:58LEADERSHIP DURING THE

37:59LISTENING SESSION WE WERE ABLE

38:01TO HEAR FROM ABOUT 20 VETERANS

38:03.>>WE RECEIVED A LOT OF

38:04POSITIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT THE

38:05SITE AND SERVICES AND RECEIVED

38:07MIXED OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

38:10ABOUT BUILDING CONDITIONS

38:11SECURITY AND SERVICE

38:12PROVISIONS I SCALE EXECUTIVE

38:13LEADERSHIP AND I LEADERSHIP ON

38:15SITE AT VA VRA HAVE BEEN VERY

38:17RECEPTIVE TO THE FEEDBACK AND

38:18A PARTNER AND A PARTNER AND

38:20CONSIDERING IMPLEMENTING

38:21IMPROVEMENTS AT THE D H S IS

38:23ALSO MAKING A SERIES OF

38:25REPAIRS AND CAPITAL

38:26IMPROVEMENTS AT BA VR TO FIX

38:28LONG STANDING PROBLEMS WITH

38:28THE BUILDING AND IT FOR ITS

38:32FUTURE

38:32.>>THOSE REPAIRS IMPROVEMENTS

38:33INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

38:34.>>THE ROOF AND THE SKYLIGHT

38:36LEAKS UNTIL THE FULL ROOF

38:37REPLACEMENT IS COMPLETE IS

38:39MANAGING LEAKS AND THE

38:40SLEEPING AREA WITH TARPS WHICH

38:42WILL STAY UP UNTIL FURTHER

38:44NOTICE BEDS IN THE AFFECTED

38:46AREAS WILL STAY OFFLINE UNTIL

38:47THE CAPITOL WORK IS COMPLETE.

38:50>>HAS AS A ON STANDBY T

38:52OCONTINUOUSLY MONITOR AND MAKE

38:53TEMPORARY REPAIRS TO ADDRESS

38:54ANY LEAKS THAT ARISE FROM THE

38:55ROOF AND SKYLIGHT DUE T

38:58OINCLEMENT WEATHER ROOF AND

39:02SKYLIGHT REPLACEMENT

39:02.>>A $4.3 MILLION CAPITAL

39:05PROJECT WILL REPLACE THE

39:05BUILDING'S ENTIRE ROOF AND

39:08SKYLIGHTS DESIGN IS COMPLETE

39:09AND THE PROJECT WILL NOW MOVE

39:10TO PROCUREMENT WITH WORK

39:11SCHEDULED FROM JUNE 2027 T

39:14ODECEMBER 2029 BEDS UNDER THE

39:15SKYLIGHTS WILL STAY OFFLINE

39:17AND BE TAKING OFFLINE IN

39:17PHASES WHILE THE SKYLIGHTS ARE

39:20REPLACED FOR FLOOD PROTECTION

39:22A NEW FLOOD WALL WILL BE BUILT

39:24BEHIND THE BUILDING AND T

39:24OPROTECT IT FROM FUTURE.

39:26>>STORMS DESIGN IS COMPLETE

39:27AND THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED

39:28TO MOVE TO PROCUREMENT WITH

39:29CONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR DECEMBE

39:32R27 20 27 THROUGH DECEMBER 2028

39:34THE PROJECT COST $2.9 MILLION.

39:37>>FEDERAL RESILIENCY FUNDING

39:39SECURED WITH THE SUPPORT OF

39:42CONGRESS CONGRESSWOMAN

39:43VELASQUEZ COVERS 75% AND

39:44CAPITAL FUNDS COVER THE REST

39:48SHOWER PRIVACY EYE SALES AND

39:50STYLING PRIVACY PARTITIONS IN

39:51ALL 32 SHOWERS.

39:52>>THE SHOWERS ARE IN TWO AREAS

39:55OF 15 AND 17 EACH EACH AREA

39:56WILL CLOSE IN TURN WHILE

39:58PARTITIONS ARE INSTALLED SO

39:59THAT THE OTHER AREAS STAY OPEN 2

40:038 WEEKS.

40:04>>RESIDENTS ALSO RAISED

40:05CONCERN ABOUT THE FOOD AT BAY

40:06AND WE TAKE THOSE CONCERNS

40:09SERIOUSLY C L SWITCH FOOD

40:10VENDORS IN 20 22 IN RESPONSE

40:13TO RESIDENT FEEDBACK AND IN

40:14THE COMING WEEKS OUR

40:17ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN RESPONSE

40:19TO RESIDENT CONCERNS IN

40:20ADDITION TO RESPONDING TO THE

40:21SMALLER CONCERNS RELATED T

40:22OTHE QUALITY OF FOOD ON SITE WE

40:23ALSO LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES

40:25WITH THE ON SITE KITCHENS

40:27RESIDENTS SEE WHAT WE SEE

40:29THERE A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN

40:30THAT IS ONLY USED A FEW HOURS

40:31A DAY AND NOT AT ALL ON

40:33WEEKENDS THAT KITCHEN IS AN

40:36OPPORTUNITY ARE EXPLORING

40:37CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS TO MAKE

40:38BETTER USE OF IT INCLUDING THE

40:40POTENTIAL TO BRING IN MILITARY

40:41CHEFS TO PREPARE SPECIAL MEALS

40:43FOR RESIDENTS THAT WAS A

40:45RESIDENT IDEA WE ARE ALSO

40:46LOOKING AT BIGGER CHANGES T

40:47OHOW FOOD FOOD IS PREPARED AT B

40:49A V ARE SOME OF THOSE CHANGES

40:51WILL REQUIRE PROCUREMENT AND

40:53THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE JUST

40:54BEGINNING WE WILL KEEP

40:55RESIDENTS INFORMED AS PLANS

40:57TAKE SHAPE ON SITE SERVICES AT

40:59BORDEN AVENUE SOME SERVICES

41:01THAT RESIDENTS ONCE RELIED ON

41:02ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN THE

41:04BUILDING DURING COVID SEVERAL

41:05ON SITE PROGRAMS WERE PAUSED

41:07AND NEVER INCLUDING ALCOHOLICS

41:10ANONYMOUS AND NARCOTICS

41:12NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

41:12.>>SOME PROCEDURES HAVE ALSO

41:13MADE IT HARDER FOR OUTSIDE

41:15PROVIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS T

41:17OCOME ON SITE

41:17.>>WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THESE

41:18CHALLENGES WE ARE COMMITTED T

41:20OA SIMPLER FASTER PROCESS FOR

41:21BRINGING SERVICES BACK INTO

41:22THE BUILDING WITHOUT

41:24COMPROMISING RESIDENTS

41:25CONFIDENTIALITY OR SAFETY OUR

41:26GIRL IS TOO MAKE IT EASY FOR

41:28TRUSTED PARTNERS SUCH AS

41:30RECOVERY GROUP VETERANS

41:30ORGANIZATIONS A COMMUNITY

41:32PROVIDERS TO MEET RESIDENTS

41:33WHERE THEY LIVE THESE SERVICES

41:34WILL ADD TO THE SUPPORT

41:36ALREADY AVAILABLE ON SITE

41:37INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

41:39PROGRAMS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL

41:40HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE

41:41SERVICES AND ACCESS TO PUBLI

41:43CBENEFITS AND PERMANENT

41:43AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE WILL

41:44CONTINUE TO MONITOR FOOD WE

41:46WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR

41:47BUILDING FOOD AND SERVICE

41:50CONDITIONS AT IT WILL NOW TURN

41:52TO THE LEGISLATION BEING

41:54DISCUSSED TODAY

41:55.>>INTRO INTRODUCTION 8 9 7

41:56SPONSORED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER

41:58THE LEASE WOULD REQUIRE BEST

42:01EFFORTS FOR REGULAR OUTREACH

42:03WORK ENGAGEMENT EVERY TWO

42:03HOURS BETWEEN 8 AND 8 A M

42:06DURING SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

42:08RESPONSES COORDINATING WITH

42:09SISTER AGENCIES ON

42:11TRANSPORTATION WARMING BUSSES

42:13WARMING CENTERS HARM REDUCTION

42:14FACILITIES AS WELL AS

42:15REQUIRING REQUIRING FOR

42:16REPORTS ONE REPORT PRIOR T

42:20ONOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY AND

42:21EACH WINTER AND PLANS TO

42:22IMPLEMENT THE SEVERE WEATHER

42:23RESPONSE WE APPRECIATE

42:24COUNSEL'S FOCUS ON SEVERE

42:26WINTER WEATHER RESPONSES T

42:27OENSURE VULNERABLE NEW YORK

42:28ER'S ARE KEPT SAFE DURING THE

42:30SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

42:31.>>EVENTS WE SHARE THIS CONCERN

42:33AND FOCUS OUR SEVERE WEATHER

42:35RESPONSE STRATEGY HAS

42:35DEVELOPED TO INCORPORATE

42:37LESSONS LEARNED FROM PRIOR

42:38CODE BLUE AND CODE RED

42:40RESPONSES THE FLEXIBILITY T

42:42OIMPLEMENT LESSONS LEARNED AND

42:44REVISED STRATEGIES IS CRITICAL

42:45TO KEEPING THE YORKER SAFE

42:45DURING SEVERE WEATHER WE HOPE

42:47TO HAVE SUBSTANTIVE

42:48DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SPONSOR

42:49AND COUNCIL TO CONSIDER

42:51AMENDMENTS TO TAKE INTO

42:52ACCOUNT A MORE COMPREHENSIVE

42:54UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CURRENT

42:55APPROACH FOR CODE BLUE AND THE

42:57ONGOING NEED TO REMAI

42:58NFLEXIBLE WHEN PREPARING FOR A

42:59SEVERE WEATHER EVENT WE HAVE

43:00NO CONCERNS WITH THE BILLS

43:01PROPOSAL FOR REGULAR REPORTING

43:04ON CODE BLUE RESPONSES BUT

43:05MANY OF THE OTHER ELEMENTS OF

43:06THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD

43:09REQUIRE DISCUSSION THE CURRENT

43:10LANGUAGE IS BASED ON PREVIOUS

43:12APPROACH WHICH SENT WHICH

43:13CENTERED ON A LIST OF KNOWN

43:15VULNERABLE VULNERABLE CLIENTS

43:16WHO OUTREACH TEAMS WOULD CHECK

43:17ON REPEATEDLY DURING THE

43:18WEATHER EVENT THIS IS NO

43:19LONGER THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR

43:21RESPONSE EVERY YEAR WE WILL

43:22STILL IDENTIFY THE MOST

43:23VULNERABLE PEOPLE ON THE

43:24STREET AND MAKE SURE EACH ONE

43:26HAS A SAFETY PLAN BEFORE

43:28WINTER BUT FOCUSING ONLY ON

43:29THAT LIST LEAVES US WITH AN

43:30APPROACH FOR WITHOUT AN

43:31APPROACH FOR THE ROUGHLY 5000

43:33OTHER PEOPLE ON THE STREET ON

43:34THE COLDEST NIGHTS AND HOTTEST

43:36NIGHTS OF THE YEAR THE PEOPLE

43:37WE DON'T KNOW MAYBE AT THE THE

43:39GREATEST RISK DURING THE

43:40COLDEST NIGHTS OF THE YEAR

43:42ADDITIONAL CANVASSERS WILL

43:43JOIN STAFF AND CONTRACTED

43:45OUTREACH TEAMS TO COVER AREAS

43:46WHERE WE KNOW MOST PEOPLE

43:48EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED

43:48HOMELESSNESS ARE STAYING THESE

43:50TEAMS WILL ENGAGE EVERYONE

43:51THEY ENCOUNTER EVERYONE WILL

43:52BE WARNED ABOUT THE DANGERS OF

43:53EXTREME WEATHER AND OFFERED

43:55WARMING OR COOLING SPACE A

43:56SHELTER A SAFE HAVEN BAD

43:58ANOTHER SAFE PLACE TO GO WITH

43:59TRANSPORTATION TO GET THERE WE

44:01TESTED THIS APPROACH DURING

44:02CODE RED AND LOOKING AT ONE

44:04DAY THIS PAST DURING CODE RED

44:06THIS PAST SUMMER TEAMS

44:08RECORDED MORE THAN 200

44:100ENGAGEMENTS WITH VULNERABLE

44:11PEOPLE ROUGHLY 20 TIMES AS

44:13MANY CONTACTS AND 7 7 TIMES AS

44:15MANY PLACEMENTS AS ON A

44:16COMPARABLE DAY UNDER THE OLD

44:18APPROACH THEY HANDED OUT

44:19SUPPLIES TO MORE THAN 1500

44:21PEOPLE AND COMPLETED NEARLY

44:23200 MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS THIS

44:24APPROACH WILL CONTINUE DURING

44:25CODE BLUE AND IS CURRENTLY

44:28DRAFTED THE INTRODUCTION WOULD

44:28LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT

44:30THIS APPROACH EFFECTIVELY D S

44:32S IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH

44:34CLIENTS SHELTER PROVIDERS

44:35ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OUR

44:36COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO

44:38CONTINUE TO UPHOLD OUR

44:39RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE

44:40VETERANS WITH THE QUALITY OF

44:41CARE THEY DESERVE WILL

44:43CONTINUE TO HELP TO SUPPORT

44:44THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY OF

44:46DISABILITY WITH PERMANENT

44:50WOMEN WHO SERVE THIS COUNTRY

44:51THEY DESERVE NOTHING LESS THAN

44:52OUR BEST EFFORT TO HELP FIND

44:54STABLE PERMANENT AFFORDABLE

44:56HOUSING I APPRECIATE THE

44:56COUNCIL'S LEADERSHIP AND

44:57ATTENTION TO THIS WORK AND

44:58THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

45:00TO TESTIFY TODAY AND CLEAR UP

45:02ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT

45:02THE GRANT

45:03.>>I WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS

45:08THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS AND

45:11COMMISSIONER DALTON THANK YOU

45:12ESPECIALLY FOR NOT ONLY YOUR

45:14TESTIMONY BUT GOING OUT OF

45:15YOUR WAY TO ACCOMMODATE MY

45:17COLLEAGUES AND I AND OUR

45:18VISITS TO BORDEN AVENUE AND

45:20BEING PATIENT WITH OUR

45:21QUESTIONS AND BEING RECEPTIVE

45:24TO RESIDENT FEEDBACK LET ME

45:26BEGIN WITH DISCUSSION OF THE

45:28VA GRANTS SINCE IT'S BEEN SUCH

45:31A HOT TOPIC AND SINCE YOU

45:32ALLUDED TO THAT IN YOUR

45:35TESTIMONY YOUR TESTIMONY SAYS

45:36THE VA OFFERED THE CITY $1.

45:403MILLION TO SUPPORT 44 BEDS

45:42COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS $

45:454MILLION SUPPORTING A HUNDRED

45:4854 BEDS RIGHT SO I UNDERSTAND

45:49THAT YOU HAD OBJECTIONS TO THE

45:50FEDERAL CONDITIONS.

45:51>>EVEN IF THE CITY HAD T

45:53OREPLACE MOST OF THE FUNDING

45:54WITH CITY DOLLARS WOULDN'T

45:57ACCEPTING $1.3 MILLION STILL

46:00HAVE REDUCED THE BURDEN ON

46:02CITY TAXPAYERS DID THE

46:05ADMINISTRATION EXPLORE

46:06ACCEPTING THE FEDERAL FUNDING

46:08FOR ELIGIBLE BEDS WHILE

46:10SEPARATELY USING CITY

46:11RESOURCES TO ENSURE EVERY

46:13OTHER VETERAN CONTINUED

46:15RECEIVING SERVICES.

46:16>>YEAH THANK YOU FOR THAT

46:17QUESTION THE MEAN THE

46:18CHALLENGE WITH THE GRANTS

46:19TERMS AND CONDITIONS IS THAT

46:21THEY WOULD REQUIRE US TO BE IN

46:23VIOLATION OF STATE AND LOCAL

46:25LAWS AND THEREFORE WE COULD

46:27NOT SIGN THAT GRANT AGREEMENT

46:28AND ACCEPT THOSE DOLLARS AND

46:30THEREFORE WE LOOK FOR THE CITY

46:32DOLLARS TO CONTINUE TO SERVE

46:34EVERY VETERAN THAT COMES T

46:35OOUR DOOR SO THERE WAS NO WAY

46:39TO ACCEPT THE GRANT MONEY AND

46:41THEN SAY CHALLENGE THE

46:44PROVISION THAT WE BELIEVE ARE

46:46IN VIOLATION OF CITY AND STATE

46:48LAW IN COURT OR SOMETHING

46:49ALONG THOSE LINES IT'S A

46:50LITTLE BIT OUT OF MY LEGAL

46:53EXPERTISE HOWEVER MY

46:55UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE

46:56DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT THIS

46:57WAS A NEW GRANT AGREEMENT

47:00.>>WHEN WE WERE WHEN WE HAD

47:02GRANT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGES

47:03HAVE BEEN MADE WE COULD AMEND

47:06THOSE AND AND NOTE OUR

47:08OBJECTIONS AND CONTINUE AND

47:10PROCEED WITH IN COURT BUT WITH

47:12THIS BEING A NEW GRANT

47:13AGREEMENT WE'D BE SIGNING ON

47:14TO THOSE CONDITIONS FROM THE

47:16BEGINNING AND THEREFORE COULD

47:17.>>NOT COULD NOT COULD NOT DO

47:19THAT WITHOUT FILING STATE

47:21VIOLATING STATE AND LOCAL

47:22.>>LAWS WHEN TIME PERMITS IF

47:23YOU COULD PROVIDE THE

47:25COMMITTEE WITH THE LEGAL

47:27ANALYSIS EXPLAINING WHY THAT

47:29ARRANGEMENT WASN'T PERMISSIBLE E

47:32.>>IT I VISITED BORDEN AVENUE A

47:34COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I THOUGHT

47:36MANY ASPECTS OF THE FACILITY

47:38LOOKED GOOD AND I SAID SO

47:39PUBLICLY AND HONESTLY GIVEN SO

47:41MANY OF THE STORIES THAT WE'VE

47:42HEARD FROM FORMER BORDEN

47:43AVENUE RESIDENTS I WAS QUITE

47:45FRANKLY EXPECTING MUCH WORSE

47:49UM I WAS TROUBLED BY THE LEAKS

47:51AND THE TARPS WHICH YOU

47:52ALLUDED TO IN YOUR TESTIMONY

47:54YOUR TESTIMONY SAID THE $4.

47:593MILLION ROOF AND SKYLIGHT

48:00REPLACEMENT WON'T BE COMPLETED

48:02UNTIL OF 20 29 UH OUR UH.

48:05>>I I JUST ARE YOU TELLING US

48:08THAT VETERANS COULD BE LIVING

48:09IN A SHELTER WITH TARPS

48:11HANGING OVER THEIR SLEEPING

48:13AREAS FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS

48:16AH THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE

48:18FOR THE QUESTION SO WHERE

48:19THERE ARE TARPS IN THE

48:21BUILDING THERE ARE NOT

48:22VETERANS SLEEPING UNDER

48:23.>>THOSE RIGHT WE ARE TAKING

48:25THOSE THOSE SLEEPING AREAS OFF

48:27LINE I BELIEVE THERE ARE ARE

48:29SEVEN SLEEPING OFFLINE DUE T

48:32OA REPAIR IS BEING MADE TO THE

48:35BUT THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

48:36AND PROCUREMENT CITY PROCESS

48:38DOES GIVE THE TIMELINE THAT I

48:40GAVE IN MY TESTIMONY AH WHICH

48:44RUNS THROUGH OF 20 29 BUT IS

48:46EXPECTED TO START IN OF 20 27

48:51SO HOPEFULLY PROGRESS WILL BE

48:51SEEN THROUGHOUT THAT TIME IS

48:53THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE

48:55DONE TO ACCELERATE THAT

48:56TIMETABLE MAYBE SOME SORT OF

49:00EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT OR ANY

49:01OTHER WAY TO ELIMINATE THE

49:02TARPS AT LEAST A BIT SOONER.

49:05>>I CERTAINLY WOULD CERTAINLY

49:08THAT INTEREST IN EXPEDITING

49:10THE TIMELINE I CAN COME BACK

49:11AND AND SEE IF THERE'S

49:12ANYTHING WE CAN DO.

49:14>>UM WILL ALSO ALLUDED TO THE

49:16SHOWERS AND THIS IS ONE THING

49:17THAT STRUCK ME DURING MY VISIT S

49:21ALMOST LIKE YOU SEE IN A

49:24PRISON

49:25.>>UNDER I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY

49:26OF THESE VETERANS SERVED IN

49:27THE MILITARY BUT OBVIOUSLY

49:28THERE CIVILIANS NOW AND THEY

49:29DESERVE SOME PRIVACY YOU'RE

49:32TESTIMONY DISCUSSES SHOWER

49:35IMPROVEMENTS DOESN'T STRIKE ME

49:37AS A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR

49:40PROJECT AT ALL CAN YOU GIVE US

49:43A HARD AND FAST DATE OF WHEN

49:46EVERY SHOWER WILL ORDER WILL

49:48OFFER REASONABLE PRIVACY

49:50.>>THE BEST INFORMATION I HAVE

49:53AVAILABLE IS THAT THAT WORK

49:54HAS BEEN APPROVED BY US AT THE

49:56CITY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY ALL

50:00THE PROVIDER AND HAS A

50:01TIMELINE OF 6 2 8 WEEKS THERE

50:04IS A PROCESS OF TAKING SOME OF

50:06THOSE SHOWERS OFFLINE WHILE

50:07THOSE PARTITIONS ARE BEING

50:09CONSTRUCTED AND THEN PUTTING

50:10THOSE BACK ONLINE AND THEN

50:12DOING THE NEXT SET AND SO

50:14THERE WILL BE THE TYPE THE

50:16THERE WILL BE SOME SHOWERS

50:18THAT WILL HAVE THOSE

50:19PARTITIONS IN PLACE BEFORE THE

50:20END OF THAT TIMELINE YOU'RE

50:24TESTIMONY REPORTS THAT SERIOUS

50:25INCIDENTS AT BORDEN AVENUE

50:26DECLINED 44% FROM 604 2 307

50:34AND 9 11 11 CALLS DECLINED 48%

50:35FROM 813 2 419 THOSE ARE VERY

50:38IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS AND IF

50:40THEY'RE ACCURATE I THINK THE

50:42ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING YOU

50:43DESERVES A GREAT DEAL OF

50:45CREDIT FOR THAT BUT WHAT

50:48SPECIFICALLY CHANGED WAS IT

50:49STAFFING WAS IT SECURITY WAS

50:52IT PROGRAMMING WAS IT THE

50:54RESIDENT POPULATION WAS IT HOW

50:56INCIDENTS WERE CLASSIFIED AND

50:57REPORTED IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE

50:58SEEING A DECLINE IN INCIDENTS

50:59WHAT DO WE ATTRIBUTE THAT TO

51:01I'M NOT SURE I'M GOING TO SEE

51:02IF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HAS

51:03ANY ANY IDEAS ABOUT ABOUT THAT E

51:06BEEN CHANGES IN THE WAY THAT

51:07THE THE IS BEING RECORDED.

51:10>>GOOD MORNING AGAIN SONIA

51:11RUSSELL DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

51:12DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND

51:14SERVICES SO THANK YOU FOR THAT

51:15QUESTION IT IS A GREAT

51:17QUESTION I WOULD HAVE T

51:19OATTRIBUTE THAT.

51:20>>WITH TOO THE FACT THAT WE

51:22WORK COLLECTIVELY AND

51:23COLLABORATIVELY WITH THEIR

51:24STAFF AND IDENTIFYING

51:27INCIDENCES AS SOON AS THEY

51:29HAPPEN OR NOT TO BE REACTIVE

51:31BUT PROACTIVE SO THAT HAS T

51:33ODO WITH THE COMMENT

51:34CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE OUR

51:36CONSISTENT CONVERSATIONS THAT

51:37WE HAVE THE MEETINGS THAT WE

51:40HAVE IS ON SITE AT BORDEN AT

51:43LEAST TWICE A WEEK IF NOT ONCE

51:45A WEEK SO WE DO HAVE STAFF

51:47THERE AND AGAIN IT'S THROUGH

51:52THAT ATTRIBUTES TO WHERE THEY

51:53ARE NOW

51:53.>>YEAH I'M LOOKING FORWARD T

51:54OHEARING FROM ICL AND I

51:55CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE WORK

51:57THEY'RE DOING WHERE THE

51:59REPORTING STANDARDS AND

52:01DEFINITIONS IDENTICAL IN BOTH

52:02YEARS YES SIR THEY WERE.

52:05>>UM LAST QUESTION I'LL ASK

52:06FOR FOR NOW I HAVE A NUMBER OF

52:08OTHER QUESTIONS BUT I KNOW MY

52:09COLLEAGUES DO AS WELL.

52:12>>COMMISSIONER DO ON YOUR

52:13TESTIMONY SAYS THAT BORDEN

52:14AVENUE HAS CAPACITY FOR 231

52:18RESIDENTS BUT ONLY 168 WER

52:20ELIVING THERE AS OF LAST WEEK

52:23AH THAT MEANS APPROXIMATELY 6

52:263BEDS WERE UNOCCUPIED.

52:28>>AT A TIME WHEN HUNDREDS OF

52:29VETERANS ARE EXPERIENCING

52:31HOMELESSNESS IN NEW YORK CITY

52:33WHY ARE SO MANY BEDS EMPTY IS

52:35THAT 63 MORE BEDS THAT COULD

52:37BE USED TO MAKE SURE VETERANS

52:39NOT SLEEPING ON THE STREET.

52:40>>YEAH NO THANK YOU I'LL START

52:42AND THEN I'LL LET THE DEPUTY

52:43COMMISSIONER ADD ACTUALLY AS

52:46OF TODAY THERE ARE A HUNDRED

52:4898 BEDS FILLED WE'VE BEEN

52:50WORKING THE DEPUTY

52:51COMMISSIONER AND OTHERS HAVE

52:52BEEN WORKING HARD TO MOVE

52:53VETERANS FROM OTHER SHELTERS

52:57INTO THE RESIDENTS AT BORDEN

52:59NOW THAT WE CONTROL THAT

53:02ELIGIBILITY ENTIRELY AND

53:05EXPECT TO

53:06.>>CONTINUE TO MAKE TRANSFERS

53:07UP INTO THE SPACE THAT THE

53:10CAPACITY ALLOWS FOR

53:11.>>ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE ARE

53:12SEVEN UNITS OFF OFFLINE

53:13BECAUSE OF BECAUSE OF THE

53:15.>>TARPS SO WE WE HAVE MOVED

53:19WITH SPEED 2 2 FILLED UP

53:20FACILITIES SINCE THE SINCE THE

53:22GRANT ENDED AND WE'LL HAVE

53:24THAT FACILITY UP TO THE FULL

53:27CENSUS QUICKLY SO

53:27.>>IN TERMS OF BEDS THAT ARE

53:29UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE OF ROOF

53:31LAKES OR REPAIRS IT'S ABOUT 7

53:347 UNDERSTANDING OK I HAVE I

53:35HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER

53:36QUESTIONS BUT I'LL DEFER T

53:37OCHAIR HUDSON AND MY COLLEAGUES.

53:38>>THANK YOU SO MUCH CHAIRMAN

53:40RON OH UM A FEW QUESTIONS I'D

53:45LIKE TO VEER TOWARDS ST

53:47HOMELESSNESS AND SAFE HAVENS I

53:49UNDERSTAND THAT ALTHOUGH WE

53:50ARE NEARLY ONE YEAR INTO THIS

53:52NEW ADMINISTRATION IS NOT

53:54ACTIVELY CONSIDERING NEW

53:55LOCATIONS FOR STREET HOMELESS

53:56SITES SUCH AS SAFE HAVENS AND

53:58DROP IN CENTERS UNTIL THE

54:01ADMINISTRATION RELEASES A LONG

54:02TERM SHELTER CAPACITY PLAN

54:04WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR

54:05RELEASE OF THAT PLAN SO THAT

54:07WE CAN CONTINUE LONG TERM

54:08EFFORTS TO ADDRESS STREET

54:11HOMELESSNESS

54:12.>>YEAH THANK YOU FOR THAT

54:14QUESTION AND STREET

54:16HOMELESSNESS AND OUR OWN NEW

54:18YORK ER'S ARE MY TOP PRIORITY

54:20AND I WOULD NOT SAY THAT WE

54:23ARE NOT ACTIVELY LOOKING AT

54:24BRINGING ON ADDITIONAL SAFE

54:26HAVEN BEDS BUT YOU ARE YOU ARE

54:29CORRECT WE HAVE IN THE BLOCK

54:32BY BLOCK REPORT WE WE

54:34ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE

54:36A HOMELESSNESS PLAN WITHIN THE

54:37NEXT YEAR AND WE ARE WORKING

54:38ON THAT HOMELESSNESS PLAN

54:39WHICH WOULD INCLUDE OF COURSE

54:41A PLAN FOR OUR OWN SHELTERED

54:43OUR OWN SHELTERED NEIGHBORS

54:45THANK YOU AND DOES THE

54:46ADMINISTRATION PLAN T

54:48OCONTINUE SUPPORTING THE

54:49NONPROFIT OWNERSHIP MODEL AS A

54:50TOOL FOR CREATING LONG TERM

54:52SHELTER AND SAFE HAVEN

54:54CAPACITY ALL OF THAT TO WIL

54:55LBE COVERED IN THE IN THE

54:57HOMELESSNESS PLAN WHICH WE ARE

54:59WORKING INTENTLY ON RIGHT NOW

55:01.>>OKAY I'M GOING TO GUESS

55:03YOU'RE ANSWER TO THIS BUT WILL

55:05YOU COMMIT TO APPROPRIATE

55:07FUNDS TO THAT PROGRAM TO

55:08ENSURE THE CREATION OF NEW

55:09STREET HOMELESS SITES WE ALL

55:12ALL OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE

55:15HAPPENING AGAIN UM REALLY

55:16CRITICAL PRIORITY FOR ME AS I

55:18AS I COME TO THE CITY AND TO

55:20MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THE MOST

55:21WE CAN FOR OUR UNSHELTERED OUR

55:24UNSHELTERED NEW YORK ER'S IT'S

55:26A IT'S A HUGE EMPHASIS OF TIME A

55:28LOT OF MY TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN

55:31HERE AND A ON THE PLAN THAT

55:33WILL IS FORTHCOMING

55:35.>>OKAY THANKS WE'LL REVISIT

55:36THAT ONE YEAH.

55:40>>MAYBE BETTER APPROPRIATE

55:40.>>HAVE ANY PROPOSED STREET

55:42HOMELESS SITE'S BEEN DELAYED

55:43OR DENIED BECAUSE OF OFFICE OF

55:47MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET CONCERNS

55:48SURROUNDING COSTS AND IF SO

55:49WHAT ARE THOSE CONCERNS AND

55:51HOW IS OWEN N BE DETERMINED

55:55WHICH TO TO STREET HOMELESS

55:56SITE FUNDING OFFERS THE BEST

55:58LONG TERM VALUE FOR TAXPAYERS

56:01.>>NO I DON'T I DO NOT KNOW OF

56:03ANY SITES THAT ARE DELAYED FOR

56:06THOSE REASONS WE ARE WORKING

56:07ON A FORWARD LOOKING PLAN AND

56:10WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ON

56:12THAT THEY ARE CERTAINLY ONE

56:13VOICE IN THAT CONVERSATION AS

56:15WELL WE HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT

56:17THE.

56:18>>BEST WAYS TO SERVE THIS

56:18GROUP OF PEOPLE.

56:19>>TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE HAS ANYONE

56:23FROM VISITED ANY SHELTERS IN

56:26THE NETWORK I THINK YOU WOULD

56:27HAVE TO ASK OH AND B I DON'T

56:30KNOW

56:30.>>OKAY OKAY AND CAN YOU COMMIT

56:33TO PROVIDING THE COMMITTEE

56:34WITHIN 30 DAYS OR WRITTEN

56:35WRITTEN UPDATE IDENTIFYING THE

56:36STATUS OF THE SHELTER CAPACITY

56:38PLAN THE FUTURE OF THE

56:39NONPROFIT OWNERSHIP PROGRAM

56:40AND ANY POLICY OR BUDGET

56:43BARRIERS CURRENTLY PREVENTING

56:44NEW SAFE HAVEN AND DROP IN

56:45CENTER PROJECTS FROM ADVANCING

56:49AN UPDATE I THINK I THINK AN

56:50UPDATE WE COULD PROVIDE FOR

56:52SURE THAT'S THAT WAS THE

56:53QUESTION RIGHT A WRITTEN

56:54UPDATE YES UPDATE IDENTIFYING

56:55THE STATUS AND ALL OF THE

56:58STATUS YEP YEAH THERE IT IS

57:01YEAH SO MY PERSPECTIVE JUST T

57:02OMAKE SURE I CAN REALLY

57:03.>>YEAH WELL IF YOU SAY IT'S

57:05IT'S IT'S A GOLDEN THEN STEPH

57:06HAS GOT TO DO IT SO I AM NOT

57:10COMMITTING TO THE HOMELESSNESS

57:11PLAN OR ANY OF THOSE IN THE

57:13FIRST 30 DAYS BUT I WOULD BE

57:14HAPPY TO COMMIT TO AN UPDATE

57:15ON WHERE WE ARE WITH.

57:16>>ALL OF UPDATE ON THE STATUS

57:17YES OKAY THANK YOU UM YEAH I

57:21ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE

57:22COUNCILMEMBER JUAN AND AND

57:24COUNCIL MEMBER GUTIERREZ ARE

57:26HERE AND THEN I THINK COUNCIL

57:28MEMBER ONE WAS FIRST UP IN THE

57:33QUEUE THANK YOU SO MUCH

57:35CHAIRMAN RON O THANK YOU TO

57:38ALL THE AGENCIES THAT ARE COME

57:40TO TESTIFY IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE

57:41YOU ALL MY NAME IS JULIE ONE

57:42I'M CURRENTLY THE CITY COUNCIL

57:44MEMBER REPRESENTING THE ONLY

57:45VETERAN SHELTER IN THIS ENTIRE

57:46CITY OF NEW YORK FOR THE LAST

57:49FIVE YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE

57:51SAME AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND

57:52EVEN BEFORE I WAS ELECTED WE

57:53HAD THE SAME AMOUNT OF

57:54COMPLAINTS AND IT'S EXTREMELY

57:56DISTURBING I'M IN I SAW I

57:59APPRECIATE YOUR TESTIMONY

58:01WHERE YOU ADDRESSED SOME OF

58:02THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE

58:04HEARD FOR YEARS ABOUT THE

58:06SHELTER SO AS YOU HAVE SEEN IN

58:08THE NEWS WE'VE HAD A LOT OF

58:11SHELTER RESIDENTS COMPLAIN

58:11ABOUT THE LACK OF PRIVACY IN

58:13THE BATHROOMS CURRENTLY IN THE

58:14ONLY VETERAN SHELTER YEAR

58:16AFTER YEAR FOR OVER 10 YEARS

58:18PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED THAT

58:20THEY HAVE TO SHOWER COMMUNALLY U

58:23HAVE SERVED IN WAR AND NOW

58:25THEY WANT TO BE BUT NAKED IN

58:26FRONT OF EACH OTHER EVERY TIME

58:27YOU WANT TO SHOWER THAT IS

58:29CURRENTLY WHAT WHAT THE SYSTEM

58:31IS AND PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED

58:32FOR YEARS AND EVERY SINGLE

58:33YEAR WE HAVE HAD LIP SERVICE

58:35THAT THERE WOULD BE PARTITIONS

58:36PUT UP THAT THERE WOULD BE

58:38PARTITIONS PUT UP THAT THERE

58:39WOULD BE PARTITIONS PUT UP AND

58:40ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE

58:42STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS E

58:45FORCED TO EITHER NOT SHOWER OR

58:47SHOWER IN NUDITY IN FRONT OF

58:49EACH OTHER

58:54NINHUMANE AND I SEE IN THE A

58:56TESTIMONY THAT THERE IS A

58:57COMMITMENT TO HAVE PARTITIONS

58:58PUT UP WITHIN THE NEXT 6 2 8

59:01WEEKS SO WE WILL CONTINUE T

59:02OFOLLOW UP WITH OUR SHELTER

59:05RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO HAVE

59:07PRIVACY AND DECENCY SO THAT

59:08THEY CAN SHOWER WITH DIGNITY

59:10SO WE WILL WAIT FOR THE NEXT

59:12TWO MONTHS STARTING FROM TODAY

59:15TO MAKE SURE THAT FINALLY THAT

59:18THEY WILL HAVE PRIVACY T

59:21OSHOWER

59:21.>>NEXT UM WE HAVE PHYSICALLY

59:22SEEN AND THE PRESS HAS SEEN

59:24HOW THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE

59:26AMOUNT OF LEAKAGE FROM THE

59:28ROOF

59:28.>>SO I SEE THAT THERE IS A

59:30COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT

59:31THERE IS SOME SORT OF ROOF AN

59:34DSKYLIGHT REPLACEMENT AND IT

59:35SAYS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE

59:36FROM 2027 2 20 29 SO COULD YOU

59:40HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW MANY

59:42BEDS ARE OFFLINE BECAUSE OF

59:45THE LACK OF CAPITAL REPAIRS

59:47THAT WERE NEEDED BECAUSE IT

59:48SAYS THAT THOSE WHO ARE

59:50AFFECTED BY THE LEAK WILL NOT

59:52BE ABLE TO STAY THERE AND THEY

59:54WILL STAY OFFLINE HOW MANY

59:56BEDS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT AND

59:57THE ONLY SHELTER THAT WE HAVE

1:00:00IN THE CITY YEAH.

1:00:02>>THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION

1:00:04AND I SHARE THE CONCERN AND

1:00:10YOUR YOUR APPROACH TO THE

1:00:13REQUIREMENT OF PRIVACY FOR OUR

1:00:16VETERANS SO I DO APOLOGIZE ON

1:00:19BEHALF OF ALL OF THOSE

1:00:19VETERANS THAT THOSE AND

1:00:21PARTITIONS HAD NOT BEEN IN

1:00:22PLACE FOR SO LONG BUT WE IN

1:00:26THIS ADMINISTRATION SAW THAT

1:00:27AND OUR COMMITTED TO WORKING

1:00:29WITH ALL TO GET THAT AND I

1:00:30KNOW I KNOW YOU ALL WILL HOLD

1:00:32US ACCOUNTABLE TO DO THAT OVER

1:00:33OVER THE TIME SO RIGHT NOW

1:00:38THEY'RE WE HAVE A VENDOR WHO

1:00:41IS CONSISTENTLY ASSESSING AND

1:00:43MAKING ROOF REPAIRS AND THEN

1:00:45WE HAVE TARPS WHERE WE CANNOT

1:00:48PATCH THOSE REPAIRS AND THERE

1:00:50IS SOME WATER COMING INTO THE

1:00:53TO THE FACILITY THERE ARE

1:00:55SEVEN TARPS AS OF RIGHT NOW

1:00:59AND WE MONITOR THAT ON A VERY

1:01:00REGULAR BASIS AND WE'LL

1:01:02CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL THE

1:01:03ROOF AND SKYLIGHT REPAIR IS

1:01:05COMPLETELY WHAT IS COMPLETE AS

1:01:08WE AS WE PROCEED WITH THE

1:01:11CONSTRUCTION WE CAN KEEP THE

1:01:13COUNCIL UPDATED AND WE WILL DO

1:01:15EVERYTHING IN OUR CONTROL TO

1:01:17HAVE MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO THE

1:01:20FACILITY MY UNDERSTANDING AND

1:01:20WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU AND

1:01:22MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS CORRECT E

1:01:27REPLACEMENT OF THE SKYLIGHTS

1:01:28THAT WOULD TAKE ANY UNITS

1:01:29OFFLINE WHICH WE CAN DO IN A

1:01:31KIND OF STAGED WAY SUCH THAT

1:01:34WE WOULD NOT HAVE A

1:01:36SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OF UNITS

1:01:39OFFLINE AND SO WE CAN COME

1:01:41BACK AS THE CONSTRUCTION

1:01:42BEGINS AND GIVE UPDATES ON

1:01:44THAT I'M BUT I DON'T THINK WE

1:01:47SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION WHILE

1:01:48WE REPLACE THE ROOF AND SO HOW

1:01:49MANY BEDS ARE AFFECTED BY THE

1:01:51LEAK THERE ARE SEVEN BEDS.

1:01:56>>AFFECTED BY THE LEAK RIGHT

1:01:57NOW AND THAT MEANS THAT THERE

1:01:58ARE NOT

1:01:58.>>VETERANS THOSE BEDS ARE

1:01:59OFFLINE.

1:02:00>>OKAY AND THOSE SEVEN BEDS

1:02:01WILL BE OFFLINE FOR TWO YEARS

1:02:04MINIMUM.

1:02:04>>CAN YOU ALSO UNDERSTAND AND

1:02:06THAT THAT BE CORRECT BUT WE

1:02:08ALSO ARE MAKING REGULAR

1:02:10REPAIRS AND SO I THINK LIKE

1:02:11SOMETIMES IT'S FIVE AN

1:02:12DSOMETIMES IT'S SEVEN AND YOU

1:02:14KNOW LIKE IT GOES UP AND DOWN

1:02:15A LITTLE BIT AS WE MAKE

1:02:16REPAIRS TO A ROOF THAT CLEARLY

1:02:18NEEDS TO BE

1:02:18.>>REPLACED CAN YOU HELP ME

1:02:20UNDERSTAND IS THIS THE SAME

1:02:21CONTRACTOR THAT HAS HAD THIS

1:02:22CONTRACT FOR THIS CAPITAL

1:02:22REPAIR IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS

1:02:23OR IS THIS A NEW CONTRACTOR

1:02:24WHO IS RESPONSIBLE WE'RE JUST

1:02:27ACTUALLY MOVING MOVING INTO

1:02:28INTO PROCUREMENT SO THAT IT

1:02:31AND I'LL SEE IF THE DEPUTY

1:02:33COMMISSIONER KNOWS BUT I THINK T

1:02:35BACK TO YOU I THINK IT IS A

1:02:38DIFFERENT WE DON'T KNOW WHO

1:02:39THE WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE

1:02:39VENDOR WILL BE YET I THINK FOR

1:02:42THE ROOF REPAIR AND FOR FOR

1:02:44THE FULL ROOF REPLACEMENT AND

1:02:46SO I DON'T THINK WE COULD

1:02:48ACTUALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION

1:02:49OF WHETHER THERE'S MORE TIME

1:02:52PLEASE

1:02:52.>>ONE MORE PLEASE AND THEN

1:02:53WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU JUST

1:02:54BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR

1:02:55COLLEAGUES THAT WANT TO.

1:02:56>>UNDERSTAND SO SINCE I'M

1:02:58GONNA I'M GOING TO RUN OUT OF

1:02:59OF TIME BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO

1:03:01VOTE I COME BACK I JUST WANT

1:03:03TO PUT IT ON RECORD THAT WE

1:03:04HAVE HAD CLEAR COMPLAINTS

1:03:07MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY

1:03:08TO THE PRESS ON RECORD AS WELL

1:03:11AS OFF RECORD FROM

1:03:12CONSTITUENTS WHO LIVE IN THE

1:03:13FEDERAL SHELTER ABOUT THE

1:03:14MISTREATMENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO

1:03:16LIVE THERE

1:03:16.>>BY THE BY THE EMPLOYEES

1:03:21THEMSELVES IN NEGLIGENCE THAT

1:03:22THEY ARE NOT RECEIVING THE

1:03:24SUBSTANCE OF ABUSE SERVICES

1:03:25THAT THEY NEED AS WELL AS

1:03:27MENTAL HEALTH CARE AS WELL AS

1:03:30CASEWORKERS TO HELP THEM APPLY

1:03:32FOR PERMANENT HOUSING AND ALSO

1:03:36FOR MEDIATION BETWEEN CONFLICT

1:03:37AMONGST THE RESIDENTS

1:03:39THEMSELVES AND IT'S EXTREMELY

1:03:40CONCERNING FOR THEM TO SEND US

1:03:42DIRECT MESSAGES AND SCREEN

1:03:44SHOTS OF TELLING THEM THAT

1:03:46YOU'RE VISITING THAT DAY AND

1:03:48TO CLEAR ALL OF THEIR URINE

1:03:50OUT OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL ROOMS

1:03:52BECAUSE THEY TEND TO URINATE

1:03:55IN THEIR OWN CUPBOARDS BECAUSE

1:03:57THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PRIVACY

1:03:58IN THE BATHROOMS AND THEY

1:04:00DON'T FEEL SAFE AND ALSO WE

1:04:02HAVE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF

1:04:04RECORDINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF

1:04:05PEOPLE WHO ARE CONTINUING T

1:04:07OHAVE SEVERE SUBSTANCE ABUSE

1:04:08WITHIN THE SHELTER ITSELF WERE

1:04:10EXTREMELY CONCERNED AND WE

1:04:11ALSO WANT TO HEAR A CLEAR

1:04:14UNDERSTANDING AND AN UPDATE ON

1:04:16THE NDE THAT ARE MANDATORY FOR

1:04:17ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SIGN IN

1:04:19ORDER TO ENTER THE SHELTER WE

1:04:22CAN'T HAVE OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY

1:04:23OVER THE SHELTER AND CITY

1:04:24AGENCIES IF WE HAVE TO SIGN AN

1:04:26AND WE CANNOT PUBLICLY SPEAK

1:04:29ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE

1:04:29ARE COMING TO US TO COMPLAIN

1:04:31ABOUT SO I WANT TO HAVE THAT

1:04:33CLEARED UP BECAUSE I REALLY

1:04:34APPRECIATED YOU COMING AND

1:04:36SPEAKING WITH THE VETERANS

1:04:37THEMSELVES DIRECTLY BECAUSE

1:04:38THEY WERE SO THEY WERE SO SURE

1:04:39THAT YOU WERE JUST GOING T

1:04:40OWALK AWAY FROM THEM AND NOT

1:04:42EVEN LOOK AT LOOK THEM IN THE

1:04:43EYE AND YOU DID THE OPPOSITE

1:04:44YOU WERE WILLING TO SPEAK TO

1:04:46THEM AND YOU ARE WILLING T

1:04:47OADDRESS THESE ISSUES I'M VERY

1:04:49MUCH APPRECIATE YOU AND I LOOK

1:04:50FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER T

1:04:51OMAKE SURE THAT A LOT OF THESE

1:04:53ISSUES ARE RESOLVED THANK YOU

1:04:55.>>A COUNCIL MEMBER THANK YOU

1:04:57THANK YOU VERY MUCH LET ME

1:05:01COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE JULIE ONE

1:05:03THAT WAS EXCELLENT JULIE YOU

1:05:06NAILED IT I'M INTERESTED IN

1:05:09THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPARTMENT

1:05:11OF SOCIAL SERVICES I BELIEVE

1:05:11YOUR NAME IS ERIN DALTON HOW

1:05:14LONG HAVE YOU BEEN

1:05:15COMMISSIONER FOR THE

1:05:16DEPARTMENT SOCIAL SERVICES AH

1:05:18SINCE MARCH 2

1:05:19.>>SO YOU'RE A NEWBIE WHERE

1:05:22WHAT WAS YOUR PRIOR EXPERIENCE

1:05:23BEFORE DOING THIS I I RAN THE

1:05:28DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN ALLEGHENY

1:05:30COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA THAT'S

1:05:33PITTSBURGH THEY'RE MY

1:05:34PORTFOLIO WAS BROADER THAN IT

1:05:36IS HERE I RAN EVERYTHING FROM

1:05:40NEWBORN EARLY INTERVENTION

1:05:42CHILD PROTECTION THE MENTAL

1:05:43HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE

1:05:44PROGRAMS THE HOMELESSNESS

1:05:46PROGRAMS I ALSO RAN VETERANS

1:05:48SERVICES I RAN AGING PROGRAMS

1:05:50AND SO BALANCE PREVENTION

1:05:56AH A IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE

1:05:58STUCK LIKE A DEER IN THE

1:05:59HEADLIGHTS RIGHT NOW AH WE

1:06:02HAVE MANY MANY MANY CONCERNS

1:06:05ABOUT THE BORDEN STREET

1:06:06SHELTER MOST OF WHICH WAS

1:06:09ELOQUENTLY PUT IN FRONT OF YOU

1:06:14TODAY ALSO THE COMMISSIONER OF

1:06:16HOMELESS SERVICES WE HAVE GOT

1:06:18YOUR TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH IS

1:06:19IT GOING TO CAUSE THE NUMBER

1:06:23WENT BY ME MAYBE IT GOT CAUGHT

1:06:24IN MY HEAD AND I'M NOT QUITE

1:06:25SURE BUT I'D LIKE YOU TO

1:06:27REPEAT YOURSELF WHAT IS THE

1:06:29WHAT IS THE AMOUNT TO FIX THE

1:06:31ROOF THAT ONLY IS GOING T

1:06:33ODISPLACE SEVEN VETERANS SO

1:06:36THAT'S A RATHER SMALL PIECE OF

1:06:37ROOF UNLESS YOU'RE DOING THE

1:06:38ENTIRE ROOF WHAT IS THE PRICE

1:06:41OF THAT

1:06:41.>>I'LL ANSWER THE QUESTION

1:06:43FIRST ABOUT THE PRICE AND THEN

1:06:44TRY TO CLARIFY THE SHOT THE

1:06:47SEVEN QUICKLY.

1:06:49>>WILL YOU SO THAT THE PRICE

1:06:53IS BUDGETED IS $4.3 MILLIO

1:06:58NAND AND $4.3 MILLION T

1:06:59OREPLACE THE ENTIRE ROOF AND

1:07:00SKYLIGHTS OK ARE THEY REMOVING

1:07:01IT JUST THE THIRD ROOF THE

1:07:04SECOND ROOF WHAT'S GOING YOU

1:07:04KNOW THERE'S THREE ROOFS AND

1:07:05THEN THEY'VE GOT TWO RIP OFF

1:07:06AND DO A COMPLETE REDO FOR HOW

1:07:08BIG IS THE FACILITY WHAT'S THE

1:07:09SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE FACILITY.

1:07:11>>I'D HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU

1:07:13I DON'T KNOW NOT SURE ABOUT

1:07:15THAT OKAY BECAUSE THAT

1:07:17DETERMINES PRICE OTHER THINGS

1:07:19WE HAVE NOW PUT ASIDE 1.86 AH

1:07:26BILLION DOLLARS TO HOUSE

1:07:27ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THIS

1:07:29COUNTRY $1.86 BILLION SO THAT

1:07:33THEY COULD GO INTO HOTELS HAVE

1:07:38PRIVATE BATHROOMS KITCHENETTES S

1:07:42ARE GOING TO LIVE IN SUBHUMAN

1:07:47CONDITIONS IT IS PATHETIC WHAT

1:07:51I HEARD HERE TODAY IS MAKING

1:07:54ME SICK THERE IS ABSOLUTELY

1:07:58ZERO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN F

1:08:07FINANCING THIS I WANT THE 990

1:08:08sON THESE NOT FOR PROFITS I

1:08:10WANT TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE I

1:08:13WANT TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY

1:08:14THESE NON FOR PROFITS ARE

1:08:16MAKING OFF FOR ONE SHELTER

1:08:22HOMELESS SHELTER

1:08:23.>>FOR OUR VETERANS OUR

1:08:25VETERANS THIS IS ABSOLUTELY

1:08:27DISGUSTING AND DISGRACEFUL I'M

1:08:28EMBARRASSED FOR ALL OF YOU AND

1:08:32WHEN JULIE WENT DOWN THERE AND

1:08:35VISITED WITH PHIL AND THEY SAW

1:08:36WHAT THEY SAW AND THEY HAD T

1:08:38OSEND AN N D A LUDICROUS

1:08:42.>>AS ELECTED OFFICIALS WE OWE

1:08:47IT TO OUR FELLOW CITIZENS

1:08:49HOMELESS VETERANS WHATEVER T

1:08:50OKNOW WHAT'S GOING ON THE OTHER

1:08:54THING IS TO NOT HAVE MENTAL

1:08:58HEALTH FACILITIES SET UP FOR

1:09:00OUR VETERANS INSIDE OF THESE

1:09:02HOMELESS SHELTERS IS ALSO

1:09:05ANOTHER DISGRACE THERE ARE SO

1:09:06MANY LAYERS TO THIS CAKE.

1:09:08>>HOW EVERYBODY IS VERY CALM

1:09:11HERE IS WONDERFUL AND I AND I

1:09:12APPLAUD YOU ALL BUT LET ME

1:09:15TELL YOU SOMETHING PULL YOUR

1:09:17ACT TOGETHER BECAUSE GOING

1:09:19FORWARD WE ARE GOING TO BE

1:09:20BREATHING ALL OVER YOU

1:09:24WASTEFUL SPENDING $1.86

1:09:28BILLION GOING TO ILLEGALS

1:09:29INSTEAD OF TWO OUR VETERANS

1:09:32WHY WHY

1:09:32.>>AND YOU'RE GOING TO PAY $4.

1:09:373MILLION TO FIX THE ROOF AND

1:09:38DISPLACED SEVEN VETERANS WE'RE

1:09:39SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

1:09:41THAT PROUD OF YOU FOR DOING

1:09:43THAT I'M NOT PROUD OF YOU I'M

1:09:44EMBARRASSED FOR YOU

1:09:47.>>OUR VETERANS DESERVE TOP

1:09:53NOTCH TREATMENT AND THAT'S ALL

1:09:54I HAVE TO SAY I GOT A PRESS

1:09:56CONFERENCE TO DO BYE BYE JUST

1:09:59TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT

1:10:00COUNCILMEMBER PALADINO AND AND

1:10:02COUNCIL MEMBER ONE ALLUDED T

1:10:04OSINCE THEY BOTH BROUGHT IT UP

1:10:05AND IT WAS ON MY LIST AS WELL

1:10:07THE ISSUE OF THE SO CALLED NDA

1:10:11BEFORE I VISITED BORDEN AVENUE A

1:10:17DOCUMENT WHICH THEY REFERRED

1:10:20TO AS AN SAYING I HAD TO SIGN

1:10:23IT TO GO AND OBVIOUSLY I WAS

1:10:24NOT GOING TO SIGN AN BECAUSE I

1:10:26WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE

1:10:29BROADLY EXACTLY WHAT I

1:10:30OBSERVED GOOD BAD UGLY AND I

1:10:34FORWARDED THIS TO THE

1:10:35ATTORNEYS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL S

1:10:39THAT IT WAS NOT AN THAT IT WAS

1:10:44A PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY FORM

1:10:46THAT JUST PREVENTED PREVENTED

1:10:47ME FROM SHARING ANY

1:10:48CONFIDENTIAL PATIENT

1:10:48INFORMATION THAT I GOT THEN AH E

1:10:53ONE OF YOUR STAFFERS FOR WHO

1:10:55WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND

1:10:57TERRIFIC HE ASKED SEVERAL OF

1:10:58US THAT WERE VISITING OH DID

1:11:00EVERYBODY SIGN THERE WHICH YOU

1:11:02KNOW ADDED TO A LITTLE BIT OF

1:11:04THE OF THE CONFUSION I'M

1:11:06WONDERING SINCE SEVERAL OF MY

1:11:07COLLEAGUES HAVE BROUGHT THIS

1:11:09UP NOW WHAT EXACTLY IS THE

1:11:12POLICY WITH RESPECT TO SIGNING

1:11:15A FORM BEFORE YOU VISIT BORDEN

1:11:17AVENUE OR OTHER SHELTERS AND

1:11:19WHAT DOES THAT FORM ACTUALLY

1:11:22PREVENT SOMEONE VISITING FROM

1:11:24SHARING YEAH THANK YOU FOR THE

1:11:25QUESTION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

1:11:28TO CLARIFY THERE ALL RIGHT SO

1:11:33I MEAN I'LL JUST I'LL JUST

1:11:34START WITH OF COURSE WE HAVE A

1:11:37REQUIREMENT US AND OUR

1:11:38PROVIDERS TO KEEP OUR CLIENTS

1:11:41WHETHER VETERANS OR OTHER

1:11:43PEOPLE EXPERIENCING

1:11:44HOMELESSNESS THEIR SAFETY AND

1:11:46CONFIDENTIALITY AT THE

1:11:47FOREFRONT OF OUR OF OUR WORK

1:11:49THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE ARE

1:11:51LIVING AND STAYING AND THEY

1:11:51HAVE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN

1:11:54THOSE SETTINGS AND SO WE HAVE

1:11:56CODIFIED THE WAY WE GRANT

1:12:00ACCESS TO OUR SHELTERS IN A

1:12:04POLICY PROCEDURE IT'S GOT A

1:12:07NAME IT'S 20 26 00 1 WE CAN

1:12:09MAKE THAT AVAILABLE TO YOU

1:12:11IT'S A IT'S A LONG DOCUMENT

1:12:12AND HAS DIFFERENT

1:12:15SPECIFICATIONS FOR DIFFERENT

1:12:16TYPES OF VISITORS BECAUSE YOU

1:12:17CAN IMAGINE THERE ARE

1:12:18DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISITORS

1:12:19AND THERE IS A SECTION ON

1:12:22ELECTED OFFICIALS PART OF THE

1:12:24REASON WE CODIFIED THIS AND

1:12:26REQUIRE SIGNING THE AGREEMENT

1:12:28THAT YOU REFERENCED AND OTHERS

1:12:29HAVE REFERENCED IS IT'S THE

1:12:31WAY WE COMPLY WITH AGAIN STATE

1:12:33AND LOCAL LAW RIGHT SO THERE'S

1:12:35THE STATE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW

1:12:38HUNDRED 36 AND NEW YORK CITY

1:12:38ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 23 12 OH

1:12:43ONE THROUGH 23 1205 THE

1:12:45IDENTIFYING INFORMATION LAW SO

1:12:47WE BOTH THE FORM AND THE WAY

1:12:50WE PROCEDURAL I'S THAT IN OUR

1:12:51IN OUR DOCUMENT ARE THE WAYS

1:12:53THAT WE COMPLY WITH AGAIN

1:12:58TO BE CLEAR THIS IS ABOUT

1:13:01PROTECTING PEOPLE THIS IS NOT

1:13:02ABOUT TALKING ABOUT A TARP

1:13:04PEOPLE ARE FREE TO TALK ABOUT

1:13:06THE TARPS THAT THEY SAW WITH

1:13:08THEIR OWN EYES ABOUT THE FOOD

1:13:10THAT THEY SAW OR THAT THEY

1:13:13HEARD ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE

1:13:15EXCEPT FOR PEOPLE'S PEOPLE'S

1:13:17PEOPLE'S IDENTITY AND AND AND

1:13:19AND AND THEIR PRIVACY RIGHT SO

1:13:21THAT'S THE PIECE THAT WE ARE

1:13:22TRYING TO PROTECT AND OUR

1:13:23REQUIRED TO PROTECT UNDER

1:13:25STATE AND LOCAL LAW AND SO IF

1:13:29THEY'RE YOU KNOW PERHAPS IT IS

1:13:30AN AN WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION

1:13:33AND COUNSEL NEED TO HAVE MORE

1:13:34DISCUSSION BUT WE HAVE

1:13:37DOCUMENTED THAT PROTOCOL IN A

1:13:40WHOLE PROCEDURE AND ARE

1:13:40FOLLOWING IT IN ACCORDANCE

1:13:42WITH THE STATE AND LOCAL LAW

1:13:43.>>NOW I DON'T THINK ANY OF MY

1:13:46COLLEAGUES EVEN A RULE BREAKER

1:13:46LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER HERE

1:13:50WHATEVER REVEAL CONFIDENTIAL

1:13:52PATIENT INFORMATION TO ANYBODY R

1:13:56.>>BEFORE ANY OF US ARE ABLE T

1:13:59OVISIT BORDEN AVENUE WE DO HAVE

1:14:01TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT IS THAT

1:14:03A REQUIREMENT

1:14:03.>>IT IS A REQUIREMENT OK I

1:14:05HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER

1:14:07.>>QUESTIONS COUNCILMEMBER

1:14:09WILSON THANK YOU CHAIR ON

1:14:11HELLO COMMISSIONER I WANT TO

1:14:13TURN BACK TO ST HOMELESSNESS

1:14:15AND AND OUTREACH THAT THE

1:14:17.>>OTHER HONORABLE CHAIR

1:14:20BROUGHT UP YOU KNOW I I KNOW

1:14:21YOU HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT JOB

1:14:24AND YOU KNOW WE WE HAVE THESE

1:14:26CONVERSATIONS PASSIONS RUN

1:14:27HIGH BUT YOU KNOW I WOULD LIKE

1:14:29TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW DIFFICULT

1:14:30OF A TASK THAT YOU YOU HAVE

1:14:32AND I KNOW FROM INTERACTIONS

1:14:33ON THE ISSUES IN MY DISTRICT I

1:14:36APPRECIATE HOW HANDS ON YOU'VE

1:14:36BEEN PERSONALLY COMING TO WALK

1:14:37THROUGHS ET CETERA UM SO THERE

1:14:40WAS A REPORT IN GOTHAMIST AH

1:14:45THAT HIGHLIGHTED THE

1:14:46EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY

1:14:46THAT ARE BEING SPENT ON

1:14:48OUTREACH YET THE RESULTS SEEM

1:14:50TO BE GOING IN THE OTHER

1:14:52DIRECTION AND IN A NEGATIVE

1:14:55WHAT YET IT COMPARES TO UNDER

1:14:58THE BLOOMBERG ADMINISTRATION

1:14:59WHEN THERE WAS OUTREACH THAT

1:15:01WAS INDIVIDUALIZED FOR EACH

1:15:03BOROUGH THAT A DECREASE HAD

1:15:04HAPPENED 40% PERCENT DECREASE

1:15:05IN STREET HOMELESSNESS YET NOW

1:15:09I'M HEARING FROM MEETINGS THAT

1:15:10I'M HAVING IN DISTRICT ONE O

1:15:11FTHE PROBLEMS WERE IS ABOUT THE

1:15:14AMOUNT OF OUTREACH WORKERS NOT

1:15:17BEING ABLE TO COORDINATE AND

1:15:18NOT BEING ABLE TO SHARE

1:15:21INFORMATION LEADING T

1:15:22OINDIVIDUALS ON THE STREET

1:15:23HAVING LIKE 4 5 DIFFERENT

1:15:25AGENCIES APPROACH THEM ASK

1:15:26THEM FOR SHELTER BUT THERE'S

1:15:29NOT A COORDINATION OR LIKE

1:15:30INDIVIDUAL STRATEGY WHO'S THE

1:15:32FRONT YOU KNOW WHO'S LEADING

1:15:33THAT SO HOW DO WE HOW DO WE

1:15:35FIX THAT HOW DO WE GET THE

1:15:37COORDINATION TOGETHER SO THAT

1:15:38THESE PEOPLE DOING THIS REALLY

1:15:40DIFFICULT WORK ARE GETTING A

1:15:42RESULT

1:15:42.>>THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE

1:15:44FOR THE QUESTION AND FOR FOR

1:15:46RAISING THE ISSUE THAT I AGREE

1:15:48IS VERY VERY IN A VERY

1:15:50IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE WAY

1:15:52WE ENGAGE AND SERVE OUR OWN

1:15:54HOUSE NEIGHBORS AND THIS TOO

1:15:56IS AN AREA THAT I'M TAKING A

1:15:58CLOSE LOOK AT WE'VE BEEN

1:16:01HOLDING MEETINGS ACROSS CITY

1:16:03GOVERNMENT AND WITH STATE

1:16:03PARTNERS AS WELL LOOKING AT

1:16:05THOSE VERY ISSUES AND WILL BE

1:16:08VERY PLEASED TO SHARE MORE IN

1:16:09THE IN THE HOMELESSNESS PLAN.

1:16:12>>AND HOW ARE THE ENGAGEMENTS

1:16:16MEASURED

1:16:16.>>BECAUSE THAT WAS ANOTHER

1:16:18CRITICISM IN THE ARTICLE THAT

1:16:19THE RESULTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING

1:16:21AT ARE MORE ABOUT TIMES

1:16:22ENGAGED AND NOT NECESSARILY

1:16:23THE OUTCOME THE PLACEMENT UH

1:16:27SO HOW DO WE RETOOL THAT SO

1:16:28THAT WE'RE

1:16:29.>>REALLY FOCUSING ON THE

1:16:31OUTCOME WE WANT WHICH IS

1:16:34PLACEMENT

1:16:35.>>YEAH I MEAN TO MY

1:16:35UNDERSTANDING WE ARE TRACKING

1:16:38PLACEMENTS FOR THE CONTRACTED

1:16:39OUTREACH THAT WE SUPPORT BUT I

1:16:42UNDERSTAND THE BROADER POINT

1:16:45OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND WANTING

1:16:46TO ENSURE THAT THOSE EFFORTS

1:16:48NOT JUST THE FUNDING BUT THE

1:16:50EFFORTS OF PEOPLE ARE LEADING

1:16:52TO THE RESULTS THAT WE WANT TO

1:16:54SEE AND AGAIN I THINK WE CAN

1:16:56DO MORE AS A CITY AND AS A SET

1:16:59OF PARTNERS TO SERVE TO SERVE

1:17:01THAT GROUP AND IT STARTS IT

1:17:03STARTS WITH THAT OUTREACH.

1:17:04>>AND THERE WAS ALSO I BELIEVE

1:17:07IN THERE WAS A BIT OF A AND

1:17:09SOMETHING I'M GETTING A LOT OF

1:17:11QUESTIONS ABOUT IN THE

1:17:12COMMUNITY A CHANGE IN TERMS OF.

1:17:14>>WHEN THERE IS STREET

1:17:17HOMELESSNESS REPORTED THE 311

1:17:18FOR THAT ARE NO NO LONGER

1:17:21ROUTING TO NYPD GOING TO COULD

1:17:26YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND THE

1:17:27REASON FOR THAT CHANGE AND

1:17:30WHAT THE BROADER POLICY GOAL

1:17:32IS BY UH CHANGING WHO'S

1:17:34RESPONDING RESPONDING FIRST T

1:17:38OTHE ENGAGEMENT.

1:17:38>>SURE I THINK IT IS IT'S A

1:17:40IT'S A IT'S A SMALL BUT I

1:17:43THINK IMPORTANT CHANGE TO HAVE

1:17:44THE RIGHT PEOPLE GOING TO THE

1:17:47TO THE EVENT RIGHT AND SO WHAT T

1:17:53311 CALLS TO IDENTIFY WHETHER

1:17:55IT REPORTED AN ENCAMPMENT A

1:17:57HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT MOVED FROM

1:17:58THE NYPD TO HOMELESS SERVICES

1:18:01SO NOW WERE THE PEOPLE WHO GO

1:18:03OUT THERE AND NOT ONLY

1:18:06DETERMINE WHETHER IN FACT

1:18:06SMEETS MEETS THE LEGAL IN OF

1:18:08AN ENCAMPMENT BUT CAN DO

1:18:10OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT ALSO

1:18:11HAVING THAT DATA ENTIRELY

1:18:15WITHIN OUR OUR DOMAIN ALLOWS

1:18:18US TO USE IT AGAIN SORT OF

1:18:19TARGET OUTREACH TO THE PLACES

1:18:20WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST WHERE

1:18:21PEOPLE ARE CALLING ABOUT

1:18:23ENCAMPMENTS EVEN IF IT'S NOT

1:18:25ILLEGALLY DEFINED IT'S NOT AN

1:18:26ENCAMPMENT UNDER A LEGAL

1:18:27DEFINITION IT'S A SIGNAL OF

1:18:29CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY SO

1:18:30NOW WE CAN USE THAT

1:18:32INFORMATION TO DEPLOY OUR

1:18:33OUTREACH IN A MORE STRATEGIC

1:18:35WAY SO I'M PLEASED THAT WE

1:18:37WERE ABLE TO WE ARE ABLE TO DO

1:18:40THAT WORK NOW AND NOT ONLY

1:18:44IDENTIFY AND MAKE THE

1:18:46DETERMINE LEGAL DETERMINATION

1:18:47OF WHETHER IT'S AN ENCAMPMENT

1:18:48OR NOT BUT PUT TO START

1:18:49OUTREACH IF WE HADN'T ALREADY

1:18:50BEEN WORKING WITH THOSE FOLKS

1:18:52ALREADY.

1:18:53>>AND MY HAD SOME COLLEAGUES

1:18:54AT THE STATE LEVEL HAVE

1:18:56INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT

1:18:57WOULD REQUIRE FOR MULTI

1:18:59DISCIPLINARY TEAMS TO GO OUT

1:19:01TO DO THIS ENGAGEMENT WOOD HOW

1:19:04SO THAT'S JUST WHO IS GOING TO

1:19:07DO THOSE INITIAL ASSESSMENTS

1:19:10ON WHEN THE 300 AND PLACED IS

1:19:12THAT A WORKER IS THAT A

1:19:15CONTRACTED OUTREACH WHO'S THE

1:19:17FIRST POINT OF CONTACT

1:19:18.>>IT COULD EITHER BE A

1:19:21CONTRACTED OUTREACH OR A

1:19:25EMPLOYEE AND DIDN'T QUITE

1:19:25DIDN'T QUITE ASK BUT I DO

1:19:27AGREE IF THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE

1:19:29HEADED THAT DIFFERENT SKILLS

1:19:31ARE REQUIRED AT DIFFERENT

1:19:31PARTS OF AN ENGAGEMENT AND A

1:19:36CORE THEORY OF ENGAGEMENT IS

1:19:37ALSO REQUIRED PIERS CAN BE

1:19:38VERY HELPFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE

1:19:41EXPERIENCED UNSHELTERED

1:19:42HOMELESSNESS OR HOMELESSNESS

1:19:43OR CAN BE EXCELLENT AT TALKING

1:19:45WITH FOLKS AND THERE ARE TIMES

1:19:47WHEN CLINICIANS ARE REQUIRED

1:19:48WE DO HAVE CLINICIANS ON OUR

1:19:50TEAM AT AND ARE CONTRACTED

1:19:52PROVIDERS ALSO HAVE CLINICIANS

1:19:53ON THOSE TEAMS AND WE WORK

1:19:54CLOSELY WITH THE STATES TEAM

1:20:00MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH T

1:20:01OHANDLE VARIOUS TYPES OF

1:20:03ENCOUNTERS THANK THANK YOU

1:20:04CHAIR AND YOU KNOW I JUST WANT

1:20:05TO SAY TOO THAT I DO I WELCOME

1:20:08A PERSPECTIVE FROM PITTSBURGH

1:20:10I WELCOME A NEW WAY OF LOOKING

1:20:11AT THIS BECAUSE I THINK THE

1:20:14AGENCIES GET WE YOU KNOW WE

1:20:15KIND OF GET BUNKER MENTALITY

1:20:15THIS IS THE WAY WE DO THINGS

1:20:16AND THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE AND

1:20:19SO I YOU KNOW RESPECT THAT

1:20:21YOU'VE BEEN ON THE JOB FOR SIX

1:20:22MONTHS BUT I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE

1:20:24CAN HAVE THAT OUTSIDE

1:20:25PERSPECTIVE REALLY PEEL BACK

1:20:26ALL THESE LAYERS HERE BECAUSE

1:20:28IT'S RESULTING IN FOLKS NOT

1:20:29REALLY GETTING CONNECTED T

1:20:30OWHAT THEY NEED SO THANK YOU

1:20:31CHAIR THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER

1:20:34WANG THANK YOU THANK YOU

1:20:37CHAIRMAN UM BY SITTING IN THE

1:20:41VETERAN'S COMMITTEE A MEMBERS

1:20:41WHO HAVE A CHARTER MANDATED

1:20:43DUTY FOR OVERSIGHT AND WITH

1:20:46THAT IN MY MIND THAT'S WHY I

1:20:47VISITED THE BORDEN AVENUE

1:20:50SHELTER WITH COUNCILMEMBER

1:20:52JULIE JULIE A COUPLE OF WEEKS

1:20:55AGO AND WITH US WERE MEMBERS

1:20:58OF AMERICAN LEGIONS AND

1:20:59MEMBERS OF W AND THE PRESS AND

1:21:03THEY HEARD AND THIS WAS

1:21:07DOCUMENTED THAT THE PERSON IN

1:21:08THE FRONT DESK TO US THAT WE

1:21:09CANNOT GO IN UNLESS THERE'S

1:21:13PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT

1:21:16OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND FROM

1:21:16THE MAYOR OFFICE AND DESPITE

1:21:21THAT COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE ONE

1:21:23AND I D TO GO ANYWAY AND THEN

1:21:27THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE

1:21:29FOLLOWING US TELLING ME I'M

1:21:31GOING TO QUOTE COUNCIL MEMBERS K

1:21:33DOWN THAT WAY COUNCIL MEMBERS

1:21:35YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER

1:21:39THAT BATHROOM COUNCIL MEMBER

1:21:39YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO OPEN

1:21:41THAT DOOR THAT LIBRARY DOOR

1:21:43THOSE ARE THE REPLIES I GOT

1:21:46AND A LOT OF IT WAS IN VIDEO

1:21:49AND WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS IT

1:21:53WASN'T ACCOMMODATING AT ALL

1:21:55AND CERTAINLY YOUR OFFICE DID

1:21:58NOT DID NOT GIVE THE APPROVAL

1:22:01FOR COUNCILMEMBER JULIE WAN

1:22:01AND I TO VISIT THE PLACE

1:22:03BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WE DIDN'T

1:22:05MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WE DIDN'T

1:22:07SIGN AN AND SO FORTH

1:22:08.>>AND I CAN SAY FOR CERTAINTY

1:22:11WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE

1:22:12PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE

1:22:15DID NOT SIGN ANY

1:22:18.>>THAT'S HOW THESE PROBLEMS

1:22:19GET EXPOSED THOSE ROOF LEAKS

1:22:22DID NOT START A COUPLE MONTHS

1:22:23AGO THEY'VE BEEN THEY'VE BEEN

1:22:24LEAKING FOR YEARS VETERANS DID

1:22:28NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR YEARS T

1:22:33BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO VISITED

1:22:35HAD TO SIGN IN THE

1:22:39.>>SO I WANT I WANT TO OKAY

1:22:41WE'RE HERE TO GET ANSWERS AND

1:22:43THAT'S WHY I SERVE HERE

1:22:45OTHERWISE I HAVE OTHER

1:22:46COMMITTEES TO SERVE WE I CARE

1:22:49ABOUT THE HOMELESS SHELTERS I

1:22:50CARE ABOUT THE VETERANS AND I

1:22:53SERVE IN CAMP MEETINGS THE PAN

1:22:55AM PAN AM SHELTER IS THE END

1:22:58OF MY BLOCK I'VE BEEN TO DEE

1:23:00RCAMP MEETINGS I KNOW HOW IT

1:23:03WORKS THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN

1:23:05TALKED ABOUT AGAIN AND AGAIN

1:23:06IN CAP MEETINGS AND NOTHING AT

1:23:09DISCUSSED OPENLY NOTHING GOT

1:23:10BROUGHT UP UNTIL THIS HEARING

1:23:16NOW QUESTIONS OK I WANT T

1:23:18OCORRECT SOMETHING IT SAYS.

1:23:20>>IS MANAGING LEAKS IN THE

1:23:22SLEEPING AREA WITH TOPS THIS

1:23:24STAY HMAN ALONE WAS VERY VERY

1:23:27DISAPPOINTING AND

1:23:27HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE IT IT

1:23:28SOUNDS THAT'S HOW THE HANDLING

1:23:31ORDER LEAKS IN ORDER SHELTERS

1:23:33WITH TOPS AND I WANT TO ADD T

1:23:35OTHAT IT'S NOT JUST TOPPS OR

1:23:37THE BUCKETS TWO BUCKETS AND

1:23:40BUCKETS RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE

1:23:41TOP COLLECTING THE WATER AND

1:23:43THEN AFTER I AND AND AFTER THE

1:23:44RAIN WHEN THE WATER FLOWS

1:23:46SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY HAVE TO

1:23:47MOVE THE BUCKETS THAT'S WHAT'S

1:23:50HAPPENING AT BORDEN AVENUE AND

1:23:51WHEN YOU SAY THAT IN THE

1:23:52TESTIMONY IT SOUNDS LIKE

1:23:54THAT'S HOW YOU'RE HANDLING

1:23:56LEAKS IN OTHER SHELTERS AND

1:23:57THIS IS VERY VERY UNACCEPTABLE

1:24:00AND VERY VERY DISGUSTING I AM

1:24:06AND THEN FLOODS A NEW FLOOD

1:24:08WALL WILL BE BUILT BEHIND THE

1:24:11BUILDING SO BY STATE BY

1:24:12TELLING ME THAT YOU'RE SAYING

1:24:14THERE'S BEEN A FLOODING

1:24:15CONDITION IN THE BORDEN AVENUE

1:24:17SHELTER FOR FOR FOR MANY MANY

1:24:19YEARS AND NOTHING IS BEING

1:24:20ADDRESSED UNTIL NOW AND I

1:24:25ASKED AGAIN CHAIRMAN MORANO

1:24:26SAID IT CORRECTLY AH IT

1:24:30DOESN'T TAKE THREE YEARS T

1:24:31OFINISH A ROOF AND I WANT TO BE

1:24:33ON THE RECORD THAT THE H THE

1:24:35MAYOR'S OFFICE HAVE NOT BEEN

1:24:39ACCOMMODATING AT ALL MY

1:24:40QUESTION IS THIS UH.

1:24:41>>LET'S START WITH THE KITCHEN G

1:24:46SUBLEASED TO A CULINARY

1:24:50COOKING SCHOOL INSTEAD OF

1:24:51BEING A FACILITY THAT IS

1:24:53AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS TO COOK

1:24:55THEIR FOOD TO HEAT UP THEIR

1:24:56FOODS OR DO THEIR OWN COOKING

1:25:01THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT UNDER

1:25:03OUR EYES AND IT'S MY

1:25:05UNDERSTANDING THE WHOLE SITE

1:25:06SHOULD BE A SHELTER WHY WHY IS

1:25:08IT PART OF IT IS BEING LEASED

1:25:10TO A CULINARY SCHOOL CAN YOU

1:25:13ANSWER THAT SURE THANK YOU FOR I

1:25:18TESTIFIED TO THIS RIGHT I

1:25:20AGREE I WE SEE THAT SAME

1:25:22COMMERCIAL KITCHEN AND I THINK

1:25:23IT COULD BE A BETTER USE T

1:25:24OTHE PEOPLE THAT ARE STAYING

1:25:28THERE AND SO WE ARE PURSUING

1:25:31CHANGES AND LOOKING AT THE

1:25:31OPPORTUNITIES THAT THAT

1:25:33KITCHEN COULD COULD PROVIDE SO

1:25:35I AGREE WITH YOU I HEARD

1:25:37CONCERNS ABOUT THE FOOD I SEE

1:25:39THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THE

1:25:40KITCHEN WE SEE UP THE PROVIDER T

1:25:44OPPORTUNITY AND THOSE THINGS

1:25:46TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME BUT

1:25:48WE ARE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE

1:25:50THE FOOD I WILL SAY I DON'T

1:25:51THINK THAT'S A PROBLEM T

1:25:55OSUBLEASE PARTS OF A OF THE

1:25:56KITCHEN TO OTHER TRAINING

1:25:57PROGRAMS RIGHT THESE ARE THERE

1:25:59ARE SPOTS RESERVED FOR

1:26:03RESIDENTS THESE ARE THESE ARE

1:26:04PROGRAMS THESE ARE WORKFORCE

1:26:06FORCE PROGRAMS THAT GIVE

1:26:07PEOPLE A SKILL AND SO I THINK

1:26:08THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM WITH

1:26:10THAT

1:26:10.>>BUT VETERANS CANNOT SIGN UP

1:26:13TO THE CULINARY SCHOOL THAT'S

1:26:14WHAT THEY TOLD ME THAT IS THAT

1:26:17IS NOT CORRECT I'M IN FACT

1:26:19THERE ARE SPOTS SAVED IT IS A

1:26:21LONG PROGRAM MY UNDERSTANDING

1:26:23IS IT'S A SIX MONTH PROGRAM IT

1:26:26TAKES PLACE DURING WEEKDAYS

1:26:27AND A LOT OF THE VETERANS WHO

1:26:29ARE STAYING AT BORDEN BORDEN

1:26:31AREA SHELTER ARE ARE ALSO

1:26:33WORKING IN OTHER JOBS SO THEY

1:26:35NOT APPLY AND NOT TAKE

1:26:37ADVANTAGE OF THAT BUT IT IS

1:26:38NOT CORRECT THAT THEY.

1:26:39>>CANNOT WELL AT LEAST T

1:26:40OVETERANS WHEN I STOOD OUTSIDE

1:26:42WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ONE TOLD

1:26:44ME THAT THEY WANT TO SIGN UP

1:26:45FOR THE CULINARY SCHOOL AND

1:26:46THEY WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAVE

1:26:47TO GO OR SOMEWHERE ELSE T

1:26:48OLEARN HOW TO COKE NOT IN THAT

1:26:52THAT SCHOOL ALL RIGHT WHICH IS

1:26:54TRULY SHAMEFUL BECAUSE YOU LET

1:26:56THIS HAPPEN THAT THAT FACILITY

1:26:57IS MEANT FOR VETERANS AND YOU

1:27:01TO BE SUBLEASED

1:27:02.>>TO A CULINARY PROGRAM AND

1:27:03THE VETERANS LIVING IN THERE

1:27:04HAVE NO ACCESS TO IT ALL RIGHT D

1:27:07YOU'RE SAYING THAT'S NOT

1:27:09HAPPENING IT'S NOT TRUE.

1:27:10>>THAT IS THAT IS WHAT I'M

1:27:11SAYING THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING R

1:27:15BUT WE'VE I'VE ASKED THESE

1:27:17QUESTIONS ALREADY AND BEEN

1:27:20GIVEN ASSURED ANSWERS THAT

1:27:21THAT IS THAT IS NOT CORRECT I

1:27:22SHOULD ALSO JUST POINT OUT

1:27:24THAT UM I MEAN YOURS POINT IS

1:27:26STILL CORRECT THAT THAT WE

1:27:27AGREE THAT THAT KITCHEN IS

1:27:28UNDERUSED FOR THE PEOPLE

1:27:30STAYING THERE BUT IT'S THE THE

1:27:32THE PROGRAM IS RUN BY ANOTHER

1:27:35ONE OF OUR PROVIDERS AND

1:27:36SERVES A SIMILAR POPULATION

1:27:38AND NON VETERAN POPULATION BUT

1:27:40IT DOES SERVE

1:27:41.>>PEOPLE BUT IT ISN'T THE

1:27:42COMMON SENSE TO THOSE

1:27:43FACILITIES A VETERAN SHELTERED

1:27:45IN THE KITCHEN SHOULD BE

1:27:46AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES

1:27:46.>>TO THE VETERANS I AGREE AND

1:27:49TESTIFIED THAT THAT IS

1:27:50SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO TAKE

1:27:52A.

1:27:52>>LOOK AT HEY MY NEXT QUESTION T

1:27:54OYOU OK WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU

1:27:55AND WE'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE

1:27:57EXTRA TIME BECAUSE I

1:27:58UNDERSTAND IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

1:27:59HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND ALL YOUR

1:28:01WISHES COME TRUE THANK YOU

1:28:03KEEP IN MIND GIVE THEM GENTLE

1:28:05ANSWERS BACK.

1:28:05>>NEXT NEXT CHAIR HUDSON OKAY.

1:28:08>>THANK YOU I JUST WANTED TAKE

1:28:09AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS SOME

1:28:11OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE HEARD

1:28:13FROM MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE

1:28:15I'VE BEEN TO THE SHELTER NOW

1:28:16TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO

1:28:18AND HAVE SEEN SOME OF THESE

1:28:19THINGS WITH MY OWN EYES FIRST

1:28:21I WANT TO SAY I KNOW

1:28:24COUNCILMEMBER PALLADINO

1:28:25MENTIONED AN EMBARRASSMENT OF

1:28:26SORTS I THINK FOR ME WHAT'S

1:28:29MOST EMBARRASSING IS WHEN MY

1:28:31COLLEAGUES IN THE CITY COUNCIL

1:28:33COUNCIL CANNOT MAKE A

1:28:36DISTINCTION BETWEEN OUR ROLES

1:28:37AND RESPONSIBILITIES THE ROLES

1:28:39AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE

1:28:41MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION AND

1:28:42THOSE OF THE FEDERAL

1:28:43GOVERNMENT AND STATE

1:28:44GOVERNMENT

1:28:45.>>AND SO WE HAVE A FEDERAL

1:28:48GOVERNMENT THAT I FIRST OF ALL

1:28:49I WANT TO SAY I COMMEND THE

1:28:51ADMINISTRATION FOR THE

1:28:52INVESTMENT THAT YOU HAVE MADE

1:28:55IN UP KEEPING THE SHELTER

1:28:57DESPITE THE CHALLENGES THAT

1:28:59HAVE BEEN PRESENTED I WOULD

1:29:00SAY BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

1:29:02A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT

1:29:04DOESN'T BELIEVE WOMEN SHOULD

1:29:06BE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

1:29:09THAT DOESN'T SUPPORT CERTAINLY

1:29:11MANY MORE THAN JUST JUST WOMEN T

1:29:15COMMUNITY SO FORTH BUT

1:29:18.>>I THINK THERE'S JUST THERE'S

1:29:21BEEN A CONFLATION OF CERTAIN

1:29:26STATEMENTS AND TO BE CLEAR

1:29:28ABOUT THE KITCHEN SPECIFICALLY R

1:29:33THAT ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO COO

1:29:34KTHEIR OWN FOOD IN ANY SHELTER

1:29:36THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS

1:29:38ALLOWABLE REGARDLESS OF WHO IS

1:29:40STAYING IN THE SHELTER SO T

1:29:43OIMPLY THAT A KITCHEN SHOULD

1:29:44ALLOW RESIDENTS TO COOK THEIR

1:29:46OWN FOOD IS JUST INACCURATE UM T

1:29:52MEMBERS FROM WHO RUNS THE

1:29:55LATER ON AND I HOPE THAT

1:29:56EVERYONE WHO IS HERE T

1:30:01OGRANDSTAND WILL STAY FOR ALL

1:30:03OF THOSE TESTIMONIES AND THEN

1:30:04ASK SOME MORE POINTED

1:30:07QUESTIONS BUT YOU KNOW IT'S MY

1:30:08UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A

1:30:10A SERVICE OR AN OPPORTUNITY

1:30:13FOR PEOPLE TO USE THE KITCHEN

1:30:16AND THAT THE PROGRAM

1:30:17SPECIFICALLY HAS A LOT OF

1:30:19REQUIREMENTS THAT NOT EVERY

1:30:20RESIDENT IS WILLING TO

1:30:22PARTICIPATE IN AND SO I LOOK

1:30:24FORWARD TO HEARING SOME OF THE

1:30:25NUANCES OF THIS AND THIS IS

1:30:27NOT TO SAY THAT THERE AREN'T

1:30:31DISAPPOINTING CIRCUMSTANCES AT

1:30:32THE SHELTER IT'S ALSO NOT T

1:30:33OSAY THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE

1:30:35TREATING OUR VETERANS WITH FAR

1:30:36MORE DIGNITY AND RESPECT I SAW

1:30:38GENTLEMEN LAST NIGHT WHO HAD A

1:30:42CARTON OF JEWS THAT MY THREE

1:30:44YEAR OLD SHOULD BE DRINKING

1:30:45NOT A GROWN MAN AND SO THESE

1:30:49ARE SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT I

1:30:51KNOW COMMISSIONER DALTON YOU

1:30:54ARE INVESTED IN ADDRESSING AND

1:30:55I KNOW THE FOLKS WHO ARE

1:30:57RUNNING NOT JUST THIS SHELTER

1:30:58BUT EVERY SHELTER ACROSS THE

1:31:00CITY ARE ALSO INVESTED IN

1:31:02ADDRESSING WE HAVE A SYSTEM

1:31:04THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR THE MOST

1:31:06VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHO RELY ON

1:31:08IT THE MOST AND THOSE ARE THE

1:31:10THINGS THAT I HOPE TO BE ABLE

1:31:13TO GET TO THE CENTER OF NOT

1:31:15JUST AT THIS HEARING BUT AT

1:31:16EVERY OTHER HEARING THAT I

1:31:17WILL BE CHAIRING AS CHAIR OF

1:31:19THE GENERAL WELFARE COMMITTEE

1:31:21WITH OVERSIGHT OVER THE

1:31:22DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

1:31:24INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF

1:31:25HOMELESS SERVICES SO MUCH OF

1:31:27OUR SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK FOR

1:31:28THOSE WHO NEED IT I AM BUT I I

1:31:30JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT

1:31:32ON THE RECORD I HAD AN

1:31:33OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY SOME OF

1:31:36THE POINTS BECAUSE IT IS

1:31:39DISAPPOINTING WHEN WHEN FOLKS

1:31:41USE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS T

1:31:44OLEVERAGE REALLY VULNERABLE

1:31:44PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE MOMENTS

1:31:47AND REALLY HARD WORK THAT

1:31:48PEOPLE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY T

1:31:52OMAKE LIGHT OF THE REALITIES

1:31:53THAT ARE THAT ARE

1:31:54.>>HAPPENING AND ALSO WHEN SO

1:31:56MUCH OF IT IS HAPPENING FROM A

1:31:58FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT SOME

1:31:59OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORT AND THEN

1:32:01WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE

1:32:02CITY GOVERNMENT NOT DOING WHAT

1:32:04IS ACTUALLY THE JOB OF THE

1:32:05FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO I JUST

1:32:06WANTED TO STATE THAT FOR THE

1:32:08RECORD THANK YOU

1:32:08.>>THANK YOU CHAIR I'LL JUST

1:32:12ADD YOU KNOW I I THINK IT'S NO

1:32:16SECRET THAT I DISAGREE WITH

1:32:18SEVERAL OF THE

1:32:19CHARACTERIZATIONS MADE OF THE

1:32:22CURRENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

1:32:25ADMINISTRATION UM WE HAVE FIV

1:32:26EPANELS OF THE PUBLIC THAT ARE

1:32:28HERE TO TESTIFY TODAY AND WHAT

1:32:31I WANT TO DO IN THIS HEARING

1:32:34TODAY IS GET ANSWERS FROM THE

1:32:35PUBLIC FROM BOTH OF THE

1:32:36COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE NOT

1:32:37GOOD ENOUGH TO BE HERE AND

1:32:40HELP THAT TESTIMONY INFORM

1:32:42WHAT WE'RE DOING ON A

1:32:44LEGISLATIVE BASIS AND THE

1:32:46TRUTH IS COULD THE FEDERAL

1:32:47GOVERNMENT BE DOING MORE FOR

1:32:49VETERANS VETERANS HUNDRED

1:32:50HUNDRED SO COULD THE CITY SO

1:32:52COULD THE STATE SO COULD WE

1:32:54ALL AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE

1:32:55THAT ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE R

1:33:00ARE ALL APPROACHING THIS

1:33:02HEARING AND THIS ISSUE FROM A

1:33:05PLACE OF PASSION AND WANTING

1:33:07TO DO BETTER FOR OUR VETERANS

1:33:09AND I LOVE THAT I'M IN A BODY

1:33:10WHERE WE CAN HAVE SUCH

1:33:12SPIRITED DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT

1:33:13THOSE SORT OF THINGS BUT

1:33:15THERE'S NO DISAGREEMENT THAT

1:33:15THERE SHOULD BE NO VETERAN

1:33:18.>>HOMELESSNESS WITH THAT

1:33:19BEFORE WE GET TO COUNCILMEMBER

1:33:21NUMBER ONE I SEE COMMISSIONER

1:33:23MATTA IS GETTING VERY ANTSY

1:33:24BECAUSE NO ONE IS AS ASKED HER

1:33:26A QUESTION IN A WHILE SO I'M

1:33:27NOT GOING TO DO THAT TO YOU UM

1:33:31YOUR TESTIMONY SAYS THAT 209

1:33:34VETERANS WERE PLACED INTO

1:33:36PERMANENT HOUSING IN FISCAL

1:33:36YEAR 2026 AND THAT 702

1:33:40VETERANS ANSWERED IN AFTERCARE

1:33:41CALL AND THOSE ARE ENCOURAGING

1:33:43NUMBERS.

1:33:43>>BUT HOW MANY OF THE 209

1:33:47VETERANS ARE STILL HOUSED

1:33:48TODAY AND DO WE KNOW HOW MANY

1:33:50HAVE RETURNED TO HOMELESSNES

1:33:51STHANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION I

1:33:53WILL PASS IT ON TO OUR

1:33:57ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER DONNY

1:33:57SMALLS WHO HANDLES THE OPTIC

1:34:01CARE COMPONENT

1:34:03CHAIR UM DANNY SMALLS

1:34:05ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER FOR THE

1:34:06NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF

1:34:08VETERANS SERVICES ALSO A

1:34:09COMBAT VETERAN UM CURRENTLY

1:34:11ALL 200 AND VETERANS ARE ARE

1:34:14STILL HOUSE NONE HAVE BACK TO

1:34:17SHELTER UM SHOULD THE HOUSING

1:34:19RETENTION RATE AT SIX MONTH

1:34:21S12 MONTHS 24 MONTHS

1:34:22.>>DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS I

1:34:25CAN GET THOSE NUMBERS BACK T

1:34:27OYOU.

1:34:27>>I'D APPRECIATE IT I THINK

1:34:28THE COMMITTEE WOULD VALUE THAT

1:34:31AS WELL LET ME ALSO FOLLOW UP

1:34:33ON ONE OF THE ISSUES ONE OF

1:34:35THE ISSUES THAT SEVERAL OF MY

1:34:36COLLEAGUES RAISED WHICH IS

1:34:38THIS ISSUE OF UM WAS OUR VISIT

1:34:44THERE ATYPICAL RIGHT A LOT OF

1:34:47US REMEMBER HOGAN'S HEROES

1:34:48WHEN THE GENEVA CONVENTION

1:34:49WOULD COME TO TOWN CAMP WAS A

1:34:53VERY DIFFERENT PLACE THAN ON A

1:34:56TYPICAL DAY UM THERE WAS A

1:34:59FLYER DISTRIBUTED WHICH WAS

1:35:00SHOWN ON THE NEWS AND

1:35:01ELSEWHERE ESSENTIALLY WARNING

1:35:03FOLKS TO CLEAN UP CONTAINERS

1:35:04OF URINE AND THINGS LIKE THAT

1:35:07UM WHEN I VISITED I C L TOLD

1:35:10ME THAT ONCE NOT ATYPICAL T

1:35:12OHAVE THESE SORTS OF FLYERS T

1:35:14OENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CLEAN UP

1:35:16THEIR SPACE AND THEY ALSO SAID

1:35:18THAT THEY WOULD WELCOME

1:35:20UNANNOUNCED VISITS FROM ME OR

1:35:21ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES THERE

1:35:22SEEMED TO BE A LITTLE

1:35:23CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT THE

1:35:25POLICY IN TERMS OF UNANNOUNCED

1:35:28VISITS IS WHAT EXACTLY IS THE

1:35:29POLICY WHEN IT COMES T

1:35:31OUNANNOUNCED VISITS AM I ABLE

1:35:32TO GO TO BORDEN AVENUE TODAY

1:35:35TOMORROW NEXT WEEK WITHOUT

1:35:36TELLING ANYBODY

1:35:37.>>AS LONG AS I SIGN THAT FORM

1:35:38THAT YOU REFERENCED EARLIER UM.

1:35:41>>I WILL I WILL START AND I'LL

1:35:42SEE IF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

1:35:45HAS ANYTHING TO ADD THERE SO

1:35:49AS I MENTIONED BEFORE AND YOU

1:35:51PROBABLY DON'T WANT ME TO GO

1:35:52THROUGH THE WHOLE THING AGAIN

1:35:54THE WE HAVE A WE HAVE A POLICY

1:35:56AND A SET OF PROCEDURES FOR

1:35:58ENTRANCE INTO OUR SHELTER

1:35:59SYSTEM THAT ARE OUR WAY OF

1:36:01COMPLYING WITH BOTH STATE AND

1:36:02LOCAL LAWS AND AS D H AND THE

1:36:06AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

1:36:07CAN CAN SPEAK TO THAT IN A

1:36:08NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE CAN

1:36:11MAKE UNANNOUNCED VISITS T

1:36:12OCHECK IN ON THE CONDITIONS AS

1:36:16PART OF OUR OVERSIGHT

1:36:19RESPONSIBILITY UM AND AH AND I

1:36:22THINK I THINK YOU WOULD COUNT

1:36:24THIS AS AN UNANNOUNCED VISIT

1:36:26LAST NIGHT CHAIR HUDSON AND I

1:36:29WE COORDINATED RIGHT SO SHE WE

1:36:32COORDINATE SHE COORDINATED

1:36:32WITH OUR OFFICE SHE SIGNED THE

1:36:35APPROPRIATE AGREEMENT AND

1:36:36WITHOUT TELLING THE PROVIDER

1:36:39WHICH IS THE IMPORTANT PART

1:36:40AND I CAN ASSURE YOU I DID NOT

1:36:42TELL THE PROVIDER THAT WE WERE

1:36:45COMING WE SHOWED UP AT BORDEN

1:36:47AVENUE SHELTER AT EIGHT P

1:36:49AROUND EIGHT P M LAST.

1:36:51>>NIGHT AND SO THAT IS AN

1:36:53UNANNOUNCED

1:36:53.>>RITE SO I DON'T WANT TO

1:36:55BELABOR THE POINT BECAUSE BUT

1:36:56WE DO HAVE A VERY CYNICAL

1:36:57PUBLIC AS YOU KNOW ESPECIALLY

1:36:59NEW YORK ER'S RIGHT AND IT'S A

1:37:02CYNICAL PUBLIC THAT I'M SURE

1:37:03ALREADY THINKS I'M BEING WAY

1:37:04TOO NICE TO YOU GUYS BUT A LOT

1:37:07OF FOLKS WILL SAY THAT IF

1:37:08YOU'RE TELLING THE

1:37:10COMMISSIONER HEY YOU KNOW

1:37:11WE'RE COMING TO THIS SHELTER

1:37:12TODAY THAT'S NOT EXACTLY THE

1:37:14SAME AS JUST A REGULAR

1:37:17UNANNOUNCED VISIT OF ME GOING

1:37:18WITHOUT TELLING YOU YEAH SO

1:37:20THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY IN OUR

1:37:22ALLOWED.

1:37:22>>PROCEDURE AND AGAIN WHICH IS

1:37:24ROUTED IN STATE AND AND LOCAL

1:37:29LAW THERE ARE SOME

1:37:31CIRCUMSTANCES AND YOU KNOW

1:37:31IT'S WRITTEN IN THOSE

1:37:33PROCEDURES LIKE THE COALITION

1:37:35FOR THE HOMELESS UNDER COURT

1:37:36ORDER WE'VE PROTOCOL IZED WAYS

1:37:38THAT THEY CAN PROTECT DO

1:37:39VISITS OF THAT KIND AND IT IS

1:37:42I THINK POSSIBLE TO GET TO

1:37:45THAT KIND OF AN UNDERSTANDING

1:37:45BUT IT IS NOT OUR CURRENT

1:37:48APPROACH WE MUST FOLLOW THE

1:37:50CURRENT AND AND CERTAINLY OUR

1:37:52PROVIDERS MUST FOLLOW THE

1:37:54CURRENT PROCEDURE THAT IS LAID T

1:37:58OCOMPLY WITH THE CURRENT STATE

1:38:00AND LOCAL

1:38:00.>>LAWS THANK YOU COUNCIL

1:38:03MEMBER ONE

1:38:03.>>THANK YOU SO MUCH CHAIRMAN

1:38:05RANO O AND CHAIR HUDSON CAN

1:38:07YOU EXPAND BECAUSE I WOULD

1:38:08LIKE TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

1:38:09BETWEEN WHICH STATE AND LOCAL

1:38:10LAWS YOU'RE REFERRING TO AN

1:38:14DWHAT IS POLICY SURE.

1:38:18>>SO RIGHT SO THERE'S A D

1:38:21POLICY AND IT AND WE CAN SHARE

1:38:23THIS POLICY IT'S CALLED 20 20

1:38:3020 26 00 1 SO WE CAN WE CAN

1:38:30PROVIDE THAT TO COUNSEL AND IT

1:38:33IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE ARE

1:38:36REQUIRING WITH STATE SOCIAL

1:38:37SERVICES LAW HUNDRED 36 COULD

1:38:39YOU READ THE LAWS SO THAT THE

1:38:41PUBLIC CAN HEAR BECAUSE THERE

1:38:42SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF

1:38:44DEFRANCESCO DIFFERENT OPINIONS

1:38:46ON WHAT IS LAW AND WHAT IS

1:38:49POLICY INTERNALLY I WOULD HAVE

1:38:50TO LOOK UP THAT LAW AND ORDER

1:38:51TO READ IT TO YOU HERE

1:38:53.>>IS THERE SOMEONE ON THE

1:38:54STAFF WHO COULD MAKE SURE THAT

1:38:56BEFORE THIS TESTIMONY TIME

1:38:58ENDS THAT WE CAN HAVE THIS

1:38:59PUBLICLY READ ON RECORD THANK

1:39:03THE SENATE WHAT I'M HEARING IS

1:39:05IT IS A PRETTY LENGTHY LAW AND

1:39:07WE COULD WE COULD SEND WE

1:39:09COULD WE COULD CITE THAT FOR

1:39:11YOU SO YOU CAN EVERYONE CAN

1:39:13READ IT ON THEIR OWN

1:39:15.>>AND CAN YOU HELP ME

1:39:16UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE

1:39:18NECESSARY PAPERWORK THAT WAS

1:39:19SIGNED BY CHAIR HUDSON IT IS

1:39:23THE THE NONDISCLOSURE

1:39:24AGREEMENT THAT WE ASK ANYONE

1:39:26TO SIGN WHO IS IT WHO

1:39:29.>>THAT WE ASK CERTAIN VISITORS

1:39:31AND THAT'S MOST VISITORS T

1:39:34OSIGN WHO ARE VISITING THE SITET

1:39:38HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TALK

1:39:40PUBLICLY ABOUT THE ATROCITIES

1:39:41THAT WE SEE

1:39:41.>>INSIDE NO THANK THANK YOU

1:39:43AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME T

1:39:46OCLARIFY THAT THE IS AND THE

1:39:48LAWS ARE STRICTLY ABOUT THE

1:39:50PEOPLE WHO STAY THERE AND THEY

1:39:52ARE NOT ABOUT TARPS OR OR ANY

1:39:55BUILDING CONDITIONS YOU MIGHT

1:39:57SEE IF YOU SEE WHAT YOU VIEW

1:39:59TO BE A YOU KNOW.

1:40:02>>SHOWERS THAT ARE NOT

1:40:03RESPECTING PEOPLE'S PRIVACY IF

1:40:06YOU SEE A RAMP THAT YOU DO NOT

1:40:07THINK IS ODD THAT YOU DON'T

1:40:11THINK IS EDIBLE OR AT THE

1:40:12QUALITY WE SHOULD BE PROVIDING

1:40:14YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY REPORT THAT

1:40:17WE JUST OF COURSE HAVE T

1:40:18OPROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE

1:40:19STAYING THERE AND THAT IS THE

1:40:21ENTIRE PURPOSE BEHIND THE THE

1:40:24THE PROTOCOL AS WELL AS THOSE

1:40:26LAWS

1:40:26.>>OK SO WHEN WE COME FOR A

1:40:28VISIT AND WE HAVE SIGNED AN AS

1:40:30LONG AS WE DON'T DISCLOSE THE

1:40:32INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY

1:40:33RESIDENTS OF THE SHELTER WE

1:40:35CAN SPEAK PUBLICLY ABOUT THE

1:40:37ATROCITIES THAT WE HAVE

1:40:38WITNESSED WITNESSED DURING OUR

1:40:40.>>ABSOLUTELY OK AND THEN THE

1:40:41NEXT QUESTION THAT I HAD WAS

1:40:44FOR THE $4 MILLIO

1:40:46NDIFFERENTIAL LIKE THE DELTA

1:40:48THAT IS GOING TO NOW BE $

1:40:511MILLION IN FUNDING AND I WANT

1:40:53TO ECHO THE SENTIMENT THAT

1:40:56CHAIR HUDSON HAS SAID THAT WE

1:40:56WANT TO RESPECT TRANS SERVICE

1:41:06EI WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS

1:41:07THAT THE VETERANS THEMSELVES

1:41:08ARE THE ONES BEING PUNISHED

1:41:10FOR THIS DISAGREEMENT YES

1:41:12THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE

1:41:14OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY THAT

1:41:15NOBODY IS BEING PUNISHED FOR

1:41:19THIS THE FULL COST OF THE SO

1:41:20FOR THE $4 MILLIO

1:41:23NDIFFERENTIAL

1:41:23.>>YES THE CITY IS CUT IS

1:41:25COVERING THE FULL COST OF THE

1:41:27OF THE SHELTER

1:41:27.>>OK SO THE $4 MILLION THAT

1:41:29WE'RE NO LONGER GETTING FROM

1:41:30THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL

1:41:31NOW BE PART OF THE CITY'S

1:41:33.>>BUDGET AND WOULD THAT BE

1:41:35COMING FROM FROM OR WILL THAT

1:41:36BE COMING FROM THE VETERANS

1:41:37COMMITTEE I MEAN AGENCY WHICH

1:41:39AGENCY WILL THE ALLOTMENT BE

1:41:42THROUGH YES DEAR FOR FUNDING

1:41:45THE SHELTERS AND WE WILL

1:41:47RELEASE OF COURSE IN A FUTURE

1:41:49FINANCIAL PLAN THE EXACT

1:41:50EXPENSES OF THE SHELTER OVER

1:41:51THE NEXT YEAR BUT TO REITERATE

1:41:56IS COVERING THE FULL COST OF

1:41:57THE SHELTER

1:41:58.>>SO COULD YOU SAY THE AMOUNT

1:41:59BECAUSE CURRENTLY IN YOUR

1:42:01TESTIMONY ONLY SAYS THE WE ARE E

1:42:06VETERANS VETERANS THAT IT'S A

1:42:07SHORTAGE OF 4 MILLION TOTAL

1:42:09THAT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL FROM

1:42:10PREVIOUS YEARS FUNDING TO NO

1:42:11.>>FOR THIS SHELTER YES AT THE

1:42:16THE THE NUMBERS ARE A A LITTLE

1:42:18BIT CONFUSING RIGHT SO THE

1:42:22GRANT AND SMITE GONE YEAH

1:42:24STILL OKAY OKAY THE GRANT WAS

1:42:26COVERING 140 50 BEDS BEDS WE

1:42:29COULD CLAIM UP TO 4 MILLION.

1:42:31>>DOLLARS RIGHT SO THE WAY

1:42:32THIS WORKS AT THE CITY LEVEL

1:42:34IS THE CITY THE CITY PAYS UP

1:42:36FRONT FOR THE COST OF THE

1:42:38SHELTER AND THEN WE CLAIM AS

1:42:40MUCH FEDERAL DOLLARS AS WE CAN T

1:42:43ALLOWED US TO CLAIM FOR UP T

1:42:46O154 BEDS AND UP TO $4 MILLION

1:42:48RIGHT THE REVISED AWARD IF WE

1:42:51HAD ACCEPTED IT WOULD ALLOW US

1:42:53TO CLAIM FOR UP TO 44 BEDS AND

1:42:58UP TO $1.3 MILLION AND AS I

1:42:58SAID WE WILL WE WILL REPORT

1:43:01OUT AS WE AS WE DO AND AS O

1:43:04AND BE ALWAYS DOES THE

1:43:06EXPENSES AS WE MOVE INTO THE

1:43:08NEXT YEAR BUT WE ARE COMMITTED

1:43:09TO COVERAGE AND IT'S AND NOT

1:43:11THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

1:43:12SERVICES WHO IS REQUIRED IT

1:43:13WILL BE ENTIRE.

1:43:14>>COST OK OKAY THANK YOU FOR

1:43:15THE CLARIFICATION I JUST HAVE

1:43:16ONE LAST QUESTION COULD YOU

1:43:18HELP ME UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE

1:43:19LACK OF NUTRIENTS AND FOOD

1:43:21THAT IS AVAILABLE AND THIS IS

1:43:24NOT A INDIVIDUAL SHELTER

1:43:26PROBLEM FOR IKE MY DISTRICT IN

1:43:31THE ISLAND CITY SO.

1:43:33>>WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE

1:43:35I'M HONESTLY HEARING

1:43:36CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM

1:43:37WHAT CHAIR HUDSON JUST

1:43:39TESTIFIED OR PUT ON RECORD

1:43:40ABOUT THE USE OF KITCHEN

1:43:41BECAUSE WE HAVE MULTIPLE

1:43:43VETERANS THAT COMPLAINED TO MY

1:43:44OFFICE THAT THEY HAVE NO

1:43:46KITCHEN ACCESS WHATSOEVER THAT

1:43:47THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING

1:43:48OUTSIDE FOOD INTO THE SHELTER

1:43:51AND ALSO HUNDREDS OF THEM WILL

1:43:52CONTINUE TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE

1:43:54MALNUTRITION BECAUSE THEY'RE

1:43:55NOT GETTING ENOUGH FOOD SO CAN

1:43:56YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT'S

1:43:59GOING ON WITH THE CURRENT

1:44:01KITCHEN USAGE AS WELL AS THERE D

1:44:05NUTRIENTS AND WHAT IS THE PER

1:44:06DIEM PER MEAL PER DAY SO THAT

1:44:09WE CAN GET A VERY CLEAR

1:44:12UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS THE

1:44:17CHOLERIC NUTRIENT REQUIREMENT

1:44:18PER MULE AT FOUR ICL AT THE

1:44:20SHELTER FOR A GROWN MAN

1:44:22.>>AH YES THANK YOU AND THANK

1:44:24YOU TO CHAIR HUDSON FOR DOING

1:44:26IMPORTANT CLARIFICATIONS THAT

1:44:27I HAD I HAD NOT DONE AND I

1:44:30WILL BEFORE BEFORE THIS

1:44:30QUESTION ENDS I WOULD LIKE TO

1:44:32TURN IT OVER TO THE DEPUTY

1:44:34COMMISSIONER TO ADD ANY DETAIL D

1:44:39TO GET BACK TO YOU ON EXACTLY

1:44:40WHAT THOSE PER DIEMS ARE UM

1:44:43BUT I AGREE WITH WITH CHAIR

1:44:45HUDSON THERE A BIT OF A

1:44:47SYSTEMIC ISSUE RIGHT THE ISSUE

1:44:49OF FOOD AND THE QUALITY OF

1:44:51FOOD IN OUR SHELTERS IS

1:44:53GOVERNED BY A NUMBER OF

1:44:53DIFFERENT RULES INCLUDING THE

1:44:55NEW YORK CITY HEALTH AND

1:44:57SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOOD

1:44:58STANDARDS THAT WE MUST COMPLY

1:45:00WITH AND WE DO MONITOR TO SO

1:45:03THAT MONITORING IS HAPPENING

1:45:05THE CHAIR IS CORRECT THAT THAT

1:45:08IN NO SHELTER ACROSS THE

1:45:09DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS

1:45:09SERVICES SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE

1:45:11PERMITTED TO COOK THEIR OWN

1:45:13FOOD THAT SAID I'VE NOT

1:45:16VISITED NEARLY AS MANY

1:45:17SHELTERS AS I WOULD LIKE TO

1:45:18BUT IN MY TIME HERE WHICH HAS

1:45:20ONLY BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS

1:45:21BUT I'VE VISITED A NUMBER OF

1:45:23SHELTERS AND THEY'RE THERE IS

1:45:24VARIATION HERE RIGHT FOR

1:45:26EXAMPLE CHAIR HUDSON AND I

1:45:27TALKED TO SOMEBODY LAST NIGHT

1:45:28WHO HAD JUST BEEN AT A

1:45:29DIFFERENT SHELTER AND WAS

1:45:31TALKING ABOUT THE FOOD QUALITY

1:45:33DIFFERENTIAL I DO THINK AS

1:45:35I'VE TESTIFIED TO AN ANSWER

1:45:37QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT WE CAN DO

1:45:38MORE TO IMPROVE THE FOOD

1:45:40QUALITY AT BORDEN IN

1:45:41PARTICULAR AND THAT THERE ARE

1:45:42OTHER SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT WE

1:45:43DO NEED TO LOOK AT IN TERMS IN

1:45:46TERMS OF IN TERMS OF THE FOOD

1:45:48I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE

1:45:49DEPUTY COMMISSIONER TO SEE IF

1:45:51SHE HAS ANYTHING ADDITIONAL TO.

1:45:53>>OTHER COMMISSIONER IT

1:45:54ACTUALLY DOES SEEM LIKE YOU'RE

1:45:55MIC IS A BIT LOW I'M NOT SURE

1:45:58IF THAT'S A VOLUME ISSUE WHERE A

1:46:01.>>FACING MIC ISSUE SO THANK

1:46:05YOU

1:46:05.>>YES SO JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON

1:46:09WHAT COMMISSIONER DALTON

1:46:09INDICATED IS THAT YES WE ARE

1:46:11REQUIRED NOT ONLY AT BORDEN

1:46:13BUT ACROSS ALL THE ENTIRE

1:46:14SHELTER SYSTEM TO FOLLOW NEW

1:46:15YORK CITY THE FOOD STANDARDS

1:46:18SO THAT MONITORS THE CALORIC

1:46:21INTAKE SODIUM ETCETERA SO I

1:46:22ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH CHAIR

1:46:25HUDSON UP WITH TO THE SMALL

1:46:28JUICES THAT OUR VETERANS OR

1:46:30OUR CLIENTS RECEIVE BUT WE ARE

1:46:32HAVING CONVERSATIONS

1:46:33INTERNALLY BUT ALSO WITH ON

1:46:34HOW WE CAN HELP THAT AS WELL

1:46:37OR AUGMENT THAT SO AT SOME OF

1:46:39OUR SHELTERS WE DO HAVE

1:46:40MICROWAVES IN THE CAFETERIA

1:46:43WHICH WOULD ALLOW A CLIENT T

1:46:44OCOME IN AND LET'S SEE IF THEY

1:46:45WANT TO HEAT SOME FOOD UP THAT

1:46:48THEY PURCHASED FROM OUTSIDE

1:46:49THEY CAN DO SO WITH RESPECT T

1:46:52OCOOKING YOU KNOW I DEFINITELY

1:46:54WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE DON'T

1:46:57ALLOW COOKING AT OUR SHELTER

1:46:58RESIDENTS FOR SINGLE MEN OR

1:46:59WOMEN BUT AGAIN IF A CLIENT

1:47:00WANTS TO BRING IN FOOD AND

1:47:01THEY WANT TO EAT IT IN THE

1:47:03CAFETERIA THIS WOULD BE

1:47:05PERMISSIBLE DURING THE

1:47:06CAFETERIA HOURS AND AGAIN IF

1:47:08THEY WANT TO USE MICROWAVES WE

1:47:10CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH

1:47:11BORDEN ON HOW WE CAN HELP MAKE

1:47:14THAT POSSIBLE.

1:47:15>>CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND

1:47:17SO TO BE CLEAR YOU'RE SAYING

1:47:18THAT THEY CAN BRING OUTSIDE

1:47:19FOOD INTO THE SHELTER AND IT

1:47:22WON'T BE CONFISCATED BY THE

1:47:23STAFF OF ISIS MEAN WE HAVE T

1:47:27OCLIENT HAVE TO BRING IN THE

1:47:27FOOD AND THE STAFF WILL HAVE

1:47:29TO ESCORT THEM TO THE

1:47:30CAFETERIA TO ENSURE THAT THEY

1:47:31ARE NOT EATING IN THE DORMS WE

1:47:32DON'T WANT TO CREATE AN ISSUE

1:47:34OF RODENTS SO YES IT'S HAVING

1:47:37CONVERSATIONS WITH AND WITH

1:47:38OTHER PROVIDERS IF THEY ARE

1:47:39NOT ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN

1:47:40THEN THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS

1:47:42WE CAN HAVE WITH OUR PROVIDERS E

1:47:44NECESSARY BECAUSE WE GET

1:47:46REPORTS THAT THEIR FOOD IS

1:47:47CONFISCATED IF THEY BRING

1:47:48OUTSIDE FOOD BECAUSE THEY'RE

1:47:50STILL HUNGRY I THANK YOU FOR

1:47:51BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION

1:47:52AND THAT IS A CONVERSATION

1:47:53THAT WE WILL HAVE WITH ISIL

1:47:55LEADERSHIP

1:47:56.>>SO FOR THE COOKING CLASS

1:47:58THAT IS HAPPENING IT WAS ALSO

1:47:59BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT

1:48:00THE COOKING CLASS CONTRACT IS

1:48:03TO THE FORMER ORGANIZATION

1:48:08CONFLICT OF INTEREST BUT IN

1:48:09ADDITION TO THAT CAN YOU

1:48:10PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE

1:48:12COOKING CLASS IS NOT INTENDED

1:48:14FOR THE VETERANS IN THE IN WHO

1:48:16IS RESIDENT TO THE BUILDING IT

1:48:19IS ONLY FOR OUTSIDERS NO

1:48:20THAT'S

1:48:20.>>INCORRECT THE ACCOUNTS

1:48:21MEMBER WANG BROUGHT THAT UP AS

1:48:22WELL YES SO THAT'S INCORRECT

1:48:25WE HAVE SET ASIDE SLOTS FOR

1:48:28THE VETERANS TO PARTICIPATE IN

1:48:28THE COOKING CLASS IF THEY WISH

1:48:30TO DO SO SO HOW MANY VETERANS

1:48:33CAN PARTICIPATE VERSUS HOW

1:48:34MANY ARE ACTUAL RESIDENTS

1:48:35THERE BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE

1:48:36MANY OF THEM WANT TO BE ABLE

1:48:38TO COOK THEIR FOOD BECAUSE

1:48:40THEY'RE DISSATISFIED WITH THE

1:48:41QUALITY OF FOOD THAT THEY'RE

1:48:43RECEIVING MANY OF THEM TELL US

1:48:44THAT IT'S MOSTLY BEANS OF SOME

1:48:45KIND AND JUST

1:48:46.>>RICE OR SOME SORT OF CARB SO

1:48:47I WANT TO JUST BE CLEAR SO AS

1:48:50FAR AS COOKING THERE MEALS THE

1:48:53VETERANS CANNOT COOK THEIR

1:48:54MEALS WITH RESPECT T

1:48:55OPARTICIPATING IN THE CULINARY

1:48:58PROGRAM WE DO HAVE SLOTS THAT

1:49:00ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE

1:49:01VETERANS THAT RESULT HOW MANY

1:49:03SLOTS UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T

1:49:04HAVE THAT NUMBER IT MIGHT BE

1:49:0710 SLOTS BECAUSE

1:49:08.>>MY POINT IS THAT THE RATIO

1:49:10OF SLOTS AVAILABLE VERSUS THE

1:49:11RESIDENTS WHO WANT T

1:49:14OPARTICIPATE IS NOT ENOUGH AND

1:49:17IF PEOPLE OUTSIDE WITH A

1:49:18SHELTER ARE BEING ABLE TO GIV

1:49:20EAN ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO THIS

1:49:21COOKING CLASS YET THE

1:49:22RESIDENTS THEMSELVES ARE NOT

1:49:24THAT IS A POINT OF CONFLICT

1:49:25AND TENSION FOR THEM SO WE

1:49:27DON'T HAVE REPORTS THAT

1:49:28INDICATE THAT VETERANS ARE

1:49:29BEING TURNED AWAY FROM THE

1:49:30PROGRAM ARE NOT ABLE T

1:49:32OPARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM BUT

1:49:34AGAIN IF THAT'S INFORMATION

1:49:35THAT YOU HAVE AND YOU'RE

1:49:36WILLING TO SHARE BY ALL MEANS

1:49:37WE'LL BE HAPPY TO LOOK INTO IT E

1:49:41CONVERSATIONS WITH ISIL

1:49:42BECAUSE AGAIN OUR VETERANS ARE

1:49:44ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE

1:49:46CULINARY PROGRAM BECAUSE I

1:49:47MYSELF MADE MADE THAT CLEAR

1:49:49WHEN WE NEGOTIATED THIS THAT

1:49:50THOSE THAT ARE AT BORDEN CAN

1:49:53PARTICIPATE AND WILL

1:49:54PARTICIPATE THANK YOU AS LONG

1:49:55AS THEY HAVE THE TIME IN WHICH

1:49:57TO OKAY BUT 10 SLOTS IS NOT

1:49:59ENOUGH FOR THE NUMBER OF

1:50:00GRANTS THAT WE HAVE PROMISED

1:50:01WE'LL COME.

1:50:02>>BACK TO YOU I JUST HAVE ONE

1:50:04LAST QUESTION WHO IS THE

1:50:04CONTRACTOR FOR THE FOOD AT THE

1:50:05SITE

1:50:06.>>I BELIEVE THAT IS PROJECT

1:50:09RENEWAL.

1:50:10>>OH HEALTHY BEETS I'M SORRY

1:50:10THE TWO SAID THE CULINARY.

1:50:13>>OKAY HEALTHY WINDOW IS

1:50:15HEALTHY BEETS

1:50:16.>>YES FOR ALL THREE MEALS PER

1:50:17DAY OKAY YES THAT IS CUTE.

1:50:18>>I HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION

1:50:20BEFORE WE GO BACK T

1:50:22OCOUNCILMEMBER WANG GOING BACK

1:50:25TO THE GRANT ISSUE A LOT OF

1:50:26THIS SEEMS TO HAVE TO DO WITH

1:50:28THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVING

1:50:29A POLICY WHICH WAS AT ODDS

1:50:30WITH CITY AND STATE POLICY

1:50:33REGARDING TRANS VETERANS AND

1:50:34THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND I

1:50:35UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S THE CITY

1:50:35IN THE STATES POLICY I AM

1:50:38CURIOUS THOUGH HOW MANY TRANS

1:50:41VETERANS THERE ARE EITHER IN

1:50:43NEW YORK CITY OR AT BORDEN

1:50:47.>>AVENUE JUST TO I UNDERSTAND

1:50:49WOULDN'T AFFECT THE POLICY

1:50:50DECISION TO REJECT THE GRANT

1:50:51MONEY BUT I THINK THE PUBLIC

1:50:53IS CURIOUS JUST ABOUT HOW MANY

1:50:54FOLKS THAT WOULD AFFECT

1:50:55BALLPARK IF YOU HAVE.

1:50:57>>THANKS AND I DON'T MY

1:51:01COLLEAGUES WANT TO ALSO ANSWER S

1:51:04BROADER THAN THAN THE SHELTER

1:51:06SYSTEM WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS

1:51:07THAT WE DO KNOW OF VETERANS

1:51:09WHO IDENTIFY AS TRANSGENDER

1:51:11GENDER NONCONFORMING IN OUR

1:51:12SHELTER SYSTEM AND I DON'T

1:51:13HAVE THE NUMBERS BUT WE KNOW

1:51:14THAT DOES THAT EXIST IS THERE

1:51:16A A BALLPARK NUMBER IN THE

1:51:17SHELTER SYSTEM.

1:51:18>>I DON'T I DON'T OK NO I JUST

1:51:20DO FOR THE I'LL PASS THAT

1:51:23QUESTION TO MY CHIEF OF STAFF

1:51:26NICOLE SELF IDENTIFICATION AS

1:51:28WE HAVE MENTIONED PLENTY OF

1:51:29PLENTY OF THE HAS BEEN AN

1:51:33ISSUE AND WE ARE DOING THE

1:51:34BEST THAT WE CAN WHEN IT COMES

1:51:37TO PROVIDING THAT OUR REACH

1:51:38SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT

1:51:39SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO

1:51:40THE GE COMMUNITY THEY CAN UM

1:51:43SELF IDENTIFY I WILL AND I'LL

1:51:44LET.

1:51:45>>NICOLE FURTHER BEFORE YOU

1:51:46ANSWER ORLANDO I AM HAVING A

1:51:48TOUGH TIME HEARING ALL THE

1:51:49WITNESSES AT THE WITNESS TABLE

1:51:50AND I SEE THAT THEIR MIC IS ON

1:51:51AND I SEE THEIR SPEAKING

1:51:53DIRECTLY INTO IT I DON'T KNOW

1:51:54IF THAT'S AN AUDIO ISSUE THAT

1:51:57WE CAN RESOLVED BUT

1:51:58UNFORTUNATELY I KNOW MISS

1:51:59ORLANDO CAN PROJECT GO AHEAD

1:52:01THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND

1:52:02THANK YOU TO ALL COMMITTEE

1:52:03LETTER HERE TODAY FOR US WE

1:52:06DON'T HAVE AN EXACT NUMBER FOR

1:52:07TRANSGENDER VETERANS THAT ARE

1:52:08HERE IN NEW YORK CITY LARGELY

1:52:11LOOKING BACK TO OUR TESTIMONY

1:52:12THAT WE PROVIDED IN THE LGBT

1:52:15PLUS HEARING WE ARE WORKING AS

1:52:17COMMISSIONER MENTIONED TO MAKE

1:52:17SURE THAT A VETERAN FEELS

1:52:18COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO SEL

1:52:20FIDENTIFY AS WELL AS LOOKING

1:52:21INTO WHAT BENEFITS ARE

1:52:22PROVIDED SO WE WOULD BE HAPPY

1:52:23TO KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE

1:52:25IDENTIFICATION PIECE OF THIS.

1:52:28>>OK COUNCIL MEMBER ONE THANK

1:52:30YOU CO UM COMMISSIONER DALTON

1:52:33ENOUGH CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY

1:52:35VETERANS WILL NEED TO HAVE

1:52:37BOTTLES NEXT TO THE BED SO

1:52:39THEY COULD URINATE INTO EVEN

1:52:41THOUGH THE BATHROOMS ARE SHORT T

1:52:43WHAT WHAT IS THE ISSUE IS THE

1:52:45BATHROOM NOT SAFE OH IS THERE

1:52:47SOMETHING WHY WHY WOULD YOU

1:52:48EVEN ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN

1:52:50.>>YEAH NO THANK YOU FOR THE

1:52:52OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY AND

1:52:54WHILE I DID NOT SPEAK WITH

1:52:56EVERY VETERAN WHO WAS RESIDING

1:52:58AT BORDEN AVENUE I SPENT I

1:52:59DON'T KNOW 90 MINUTES OR SO

1:53:01WITH A NUMBER OF FOLKS AND

1:53:02HAVE BEEN THERE OVER OVER A

1:53:06COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE PAST

1:53:07COUPLE OF WEEKS AND TALKED TO

1:53:09OTHERS AS WELL AND AND NOBODY

1:53:11HAS REPORTED TO ME ABOUT

1:53:13SAFETY IN THE IN THE BATHROOM

1:53:15WE CERTAINLY HAVE HEARD ABOUT

1:53:16THE SHOWERS WHERE THERE ARE

1:53:18REAL PRIVACY CONCERNS THAT I

1:53:19AGREE WITH AND WE ARE FIXING

1:53:21BUT THE ACTUAL BATHROOMS I'VE

1:53:23I'VE SAW I'VE SEEN MYSELF AND

1:53:26OUR TYPICAL BATHROOMS I DIDN'T Y

1:53:32WERE NERVOUS OR UNABLE TO USE

1:53:34THE BATHROOM I THINK THAT THAT

1:53:35NOTICE WAS JUST A NOTICE STACK

1:53:36UP GOT PUT OUT

1:53:38.>>YEAH IT SEEMED TO ME THAT

1:53:40THE H S SHOULD HAVE PEOPLE

1:53:42THERE AT THESE CAP MEETINGS

1:53:43AND THEY SHOULD BE WELL AWARE

1:53:45OF THESE ISSUES THAT WE'RE

1:53:47DISCUSSING TODAY UM MY

1:53:48QUESTION DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE

1:53:50ATTENDING THESE CAB MEETINGS

1:53:52PLEASE ANSWER YEAH YEAH.

1:53:53>>I WILL I WILL TURN IT OVER

1:53:54TO THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER T

1:53:57OANSWER

1:53:57.>>SO YES TO ANSWER YOUR

1:53:58QUESTION WE DO HAVE STAFF THAT

1:54:01ATTENDS THE CAP MEETINGS.

1:54:03>>YEAH BUT

1:54:03.>>I AM SURE THESE ISSUES WERE

1:54:06BROUGHT UP MANY TIMES BECAUSE

1:54:08I WAS TOLD BY THE THE

1:54:10RESIDENTS THAT THEY WERE

1:54:12DISCUSSING CAMP MEETINGS AND

1:54:12THEN NOTHING WAS WAS DONE OR

1:54:15ADDRESS IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED U

1:54:19KNOW LOOK IF THERE'S ENOUGH

1:54:21FOOD NOBODY WILL BOTHER WANT

1:54:23TO COOK THERE THE REASON THEY

1:54:24WANT TO COOK THERE IS BECAUSE

1:54:27THEY'RE HUNGRY I AND AND IT'S

1:54:28UN DECEPTIVE BLE TO ME THAT

1:54:29YOU ALLOWED THE PEOPLE IN THE

1:54:31COOKING SCHOOL TO COOK

1:54:32.>>BUT THE VETERANS THEY CANNOT

1:54:34COOK

1:54:34.>>THINK ABOUT THAT ALL RIGHT

1:54:36.>>OKAY FOLLOW UP QUESTION ALL

1:54:37RIGHT FOLLOW UP QUESTION RIGHT

1:54:39.>>THERE ARE YOUR YOUR

1:54:42TESTIMONY SAID THEY'RE ON

1:54:43THEIR ARE 259 9 11 CALLS SORRY 1

1:54:501COURSE CAN YOU HAVE A

1:54:51BREAKDOWN LIKE WHAT WHAT ARE

1:54:53THE ISSUES THAT YOU'RE DEALING

1:54:55WITH IN THE BORDEN AVENUE SIDE L

1:54:59THEM UP FOR YOU AND THIS TIME

1:55:01FRAME AND I HAVE TO REPORT

1:55:04BACK IN A LITTLE IN A COUPLE

1:55:10GENERAL IN GENERAL TERMS A LOT

1:55:11OF CALLS WHICH YOU COULD SEE

1:55:13IN MY TESTIMONY ARE DOWN ARE

1:55:17RELATED TO TO MEDICAL CARE

1:55:19RIGHT PEOPLE VETERANS OTHERS

1:55:22EXPERIENCED MEDICAL

1:55:22EMERGENCIES JUST LIKE

1:55:23EVERYBODY ELSE AND THERE ARE 9

1:55:2511 CALLS FOR FOR THOSE KINDS

1:55:27OF ISSUES BUT IF YOU WILL

1:55:29ALLOW ME.

1:55:30>>YES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A

1:55:31BREAKDOWN OF THE 9 11 COURSE

1:55:33THANK.

1:55:33>>YOU WE CAN PROVIDE THAT

1:55:36PLEASE

1:55:36.>>THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER ONE

1:55:38BEFORE A TURN IT BACK TO CHAIR

1:55:41HUDSON COMMISSIONER DALTON I

1:55:42DO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

1:55:45YOUR PENNSYLVANIA PERSPECTIVE

1:55:47FOR SOMETHING YOU KNOW IF THE

1:55:49THE 1 1 OF THE FEW AREAS THAT

1:55:51I THINK ALL 51 OF MY

1:55:53COLLEAGUES AGREE ON IS THAT WE

1:55:55ARE FRUSTRATED AT THE PACE OF

1:55:57NEW YORK CITY CAPITAL PROJECTS T

1:56:02OWRAP MY HEAD AROUND THE FACT

1:56:03THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE THREE

1:56:05YEARS TO FIX A LEAKING ROOF

1:56:07WHEN YOU WERE IN PENNSYLVANIA.

1:56:09>>HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE T

1:56:10OFIX A ROOF THERE NOT THREE

1:56:13YEARS I'M BETTING

1:56:14.>>UM YEAH I I DON'T I DO NOT

1:56:16HAVE ROOF ESTIMATES FROM FROM

1:56:19PENNSYLVANIA BUT OH LOO

1:56:21KTHAT'S WORKING NOW THERE YOU

1:56:25GO YEAH HOWEVER I I AM I I

1:56:30SHARE THE CONCERN ABOUT HOW

1:56:32LONG THINGS TAKE AND OUR

1:56:35RESPONSIVENESS I WE HAVE A NEW

1:56:38ADMINISTRATOR REZA HENDERSON

1:56:39AND SHE AND I BOTH ARE LOOKING

1:56:43AT THE PROCESS THERE'S OF

1:56:44COURSE A CITYWIDE PROCESS THAT

1:56:47HAS PLANNING YOU KNOW PLANNING

1:56:48PROCEDURE THAT IS REQUIRED AND

1:56:50FUNDING PROCEDURE THAT IS

1:56:51REQUIRED BUT THEN THERE'S ALSO

1:56:52THE PIECE ON OUR SIDE WHAT HOW

1:56:55ARE WE MANAGING THOSE DOLLARS

1:56:56HOW ARE WE PRIORITIZING THEM

1:56:58HOW ARE WE PROCURING AND WE'RE

1:57:00LOOKING AT THAT ENTIRE PROCESS

1:57:02FROM BOTTOM TO TOP TO SEE WHAT

1:57:04WE CAN DO TO EXPEDITE WE WE WE

1:57:06DON'T LIKE TO SEE OUR

1:57:08BUILDINGS AND OUR IN DISREPAIR M

1:57:11STRUGGLING UNDER

1:57:12.>>THIS WELL LET US KNOW HOW WE

1:57:13CAN HELP I THINK YOU KNOW NOT

1:57:15SPEAKING FOR THE MAYOR OR THE

1:57:16SPEAKER BUT I CAN TELL YOU

1:57:17EVERYBODY UP HERE AND ALL THE

1:57:18MEMBERS OF MY COMMITTEE WE'RE

1:57:21COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING

1:57:22IN OUR PURVIEW TO MAKING SURE

1:57:23THAT WE CAN HELP REDUCE THAT

1:57:25TIME LINE CHAIR HUDSON THANK

1:57:27YOU I YOU KNOW I AM I AM GOING

1:57:31TO BELABOR THE POINT OF THE

1:57:35THE PIECE THE LAW THAT I

1:57:38BELIEVE YOU REFERENCED SOCIAL

1:57:40SERVICES LAW HUNDRED 36 WA

1:57:42STHAT IT WAS THAT ACCURATE OK

1:57:45BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROTECTION

1:57:47OF PUBLIC WELFARE RECORDS AND

1:57:49THE FIRST LINE SAYS THE NAME

1:57:51ARE ADDRESSES OF PERSONS

1:57:53APPLYING FOR OR RECEIVING

1:57:54PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND CARE

1:57:56SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED IN ANY

1:57:59PUBLISHED REPORT OR PRINTED IN

1:58:01ANY NEWSPAPER OR REPORTED AT

1:58:02ANY PUBLIC MEETING EXCEPT

1:58:03MEETINGS OF THE COUNTY BLAH

1:58:05BLAH BLAH AND SO THAT SEEMS T

1:58:07OME TO BE VERY SPECIFIC T

1:58:11ONAMES AND ADDRESSES OR PRIVACYG

1:58:16INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS

1:58:17WHEREAS IN THE CITY CHARTER

1:58:20SECTION 29 UNDER POWER OF

1:58:21INVESTIGATION AND OVERSIGHT IT

1:58:23STATES THAT THE COUNCIL ACTING

1:58:25AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

1:58:27AND EACH STANDING OR SPECIAL

1:58:28COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL

1:58:30THROUGH HEARINGS OR OTHERWISE

1:58:33INVESTIGATE ANY MATTERS WITHIN

1:58:35ITS JURISDICTION RELATING T

1:58:37OTHE PROPERTY AFFAIRS OR

1:58:38GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OR OF

1:58:40ANY COUNTY WITHIN THE CITY OR

1:58:43TO ANY OTHER POWERS OF THE

1:58:45COUNCIL OR TO THE EFFECTUATE

1:58:47OF THE PURPOSES OR PROVISIONS

1:58:48OF THIS CHARTER OR ANY LAWS

1:58:49RELATING TO THE CITY OR TO ANY

1:58:52COUNTY WITHIN THE CITY NOW I'M

1:58:54NOT AN ATTORNEY I KNOW YOU'RE

1:58:55NOT AN ATTORNEY SO MAYBE WE

1:58:57CAN LET OUR ATTORNEYS OR

1:58:58RESPECTIVE ATTORNEYS HASH IT

1:59:01OUT BUT MY INTERPRETATION OF

1:59:02THIS IS THAT WE HAVE THE

1:59:04AUTHORITY AS MEMBERS OF THIS

1:59:07BODY TO INVESTIGATE ANY

1:59:08MATTERS AS IT SAYS WITHIN ITS

1:59:10JURISDICTION RELATING TO THE

1:59:14PROPERTY OF ANY CITY AGENCY

1:59:15AND I THINK THE LAW THAT YOU

1:59:18REFERENCED IS SPECIFIC TO

1:59:20PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING RECORDS T

1:59:23AS COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO PROVIDE

1:59:25CONSTITUENT SERVICES EVERY DAY

1:59:26IN OUR OFFICES WE ARE NOT

1:59:29SHARING PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING

1:59:30INFORMATION AND WE HAVE UM

1:59:34STOPGAPS AND PRACTICES AND

1:59:35POLICIES WITHIN THE BODY THAT

1:59:37PREVENT US FROM SHARING AND

1:59:39PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING

1:59:40INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WE

1:59:41SERVE EVERY SINGLE DAY SO I

1:59:44WOULD ARGUE THAT WE SHOULD

1:59:46HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE

1:59:48ABILITY TO MAKE UNANNOUNCED

1:59:50VISITS TO SHELTERS AND I KNOW

1:59:51WE DID ONE LAST NIGHT BUT

1:59:54FULLY AND TRULY UNANNOUNCED

1:59:55THE WAY WE SEE IT AS AS DULY

1:59:58DULY ELECTED MEMBERS SO I JUST

2:00:01WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT AND

2:00:03THEN I WANTED TO FO

2:00:07RCOMMISSIONER MATA YOU

2:00:07REFERENCED IN YOUR IN YOUR

2:00:11TESTIMONY STRENGTHENING

2:00:12EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR WOMEN

2:00:14VETERANS LGBT PLUS VETERANS

2:00:15OLDER VETERANS VETERANS WITH

2:00:18DISABILITIES AND COMMUNITIES

2:00:19THAT FACE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS

2:00:21TO SERVICES CAN YOU JUST SHARE

2:00:22WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND IF

2:00:25SOMEONE PREFERS TO BE IN A

2:00:26DIFFERENT TYPE OF SHELTER

2:00:28ENVIRONMENT WHAT THAT PROCESS

2:00:30LOOKS LIKE IF THEY DIDN'T WANT

2:00:31TO BE AT SOMEWHERE LIKE A

2:00:32BORDEN AVENUE AND ALSO ON THE

2:00:35WEBSITE IT SAYS THAT BORDEN

2:00:38AVENUE HOUSES BOTH MALE AND

2:00:40FEMALE VETERANS CAN YOU VERIFY

2:00:42WHETHER THAT'S ACCURATE.

2:00:45>>WHEN IT COMES TO BORDEN I

2:00:46WILL DEFER THE QUESTIONS T

2:00:49OTHE COMMISSIONER DELTON T

2:00:52OYOUR THERE'S TWO ANSWERS TO TO

2:00:54THAT FIRST TO THE COMPONENT OF

2:00:56THE OUTREACHING THAT WE ARE

2:00:57DOING WHEN IT COMES TO UM THE

2:01:01WOMAN VETERANS LGBT PLUS

2:01:03VETERANS AND VETERANS WITH

2:01:04DISABILITIES WE ARE WORKING IN

2:01:06CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER CITY

2:01:09AGENCIES SUCH AS THE

2:01:09COMMISSIONER FOR DISABILITY

2:01:11THE COMMISSIONER OF AGING T

2:01:13OENSURE THAT WE HAVE THAT

2:01:16COLLABORATIVE EFFORT T

2:01:17OOUTREACH PROPERLY TO A TWO

2:01:20THOSE VETERANS WE ARE ALSO

2:01:22HAVE HELD VARIOUS ROUNDTABLES

2:01:26THAT WE CAN HEAR DIRECTLY FROM

2:01:28THE VETERAN GROUPS AS TO HOW

2:01:32WE SHOULD BE OUTREACHING

2:01:33FURTHER WE ALSO WANT TO THANK

2:01:36CITY COUNCIL FOR FUNDING WHEN

2:01:38IT COMES TO OUTREACHING AND

2:01:40MORE INFORMATION IS GOING T

2:01:41OCOME OUT ON THAT WE JUST

2:01:44FINALIZED THAT SPECIFIC PLAN

2:01:47AND AND I WILL FURTHER REFER

2:01:49THIS TO MY CHIEF OF STAFF

2:01:53NICOLE BUT AT FURTHER WHAT WE

2:01:55ARE DOING WHEN I REMAIN FOCUS

2:01:57IS TO BE THE SOLE CONNECTOR SO

2:01:59WHAT WE DO IS OUR FOCUS IS T

2:02:02OPLACE VETERANS INTO HOUSING

2:02:03AND THAT IS A VERY RIGOROUS

2:02:06PROCESS AT THE AGENCY WE

2:02:12PLANTS HELP IDENTIFIED UNITS

2:02:13ARRANGE VIEWINGS GATHER

2:02:15DOCUMENTS COORDINATE SUBSIDIES

2:02:16AND INSPECTIONS WITH THE

2:02:18RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES AND

2:02:19PROVIDE THE AFTERCARE

2:02:21COMPONENT SO AFTER NICOLE

2:02:22EXPLAINS FURTHER THE OUTREACH

2:02:24DENISE SMALLS WILL GO FURTHER

2:02:26ON THE AFTERCARE THANK YOU SO

2:02:28MUCH AGAIN FOR THAT QUESTION

2:02:29AND JUST TO EMPHASIZE

2:02:31COMMISSIONER MANN HIS RESPONSE Y

2:02:33FOCUSED IN THIS ADMINISTRATION

2:02:34UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF

2:02:36COMMISSIONER MATA ON VETERAN

2:02:38FEEDBACK ON A LOT OF

2:02:39PROGRAMMING AND THINGS THAT WE

2:02:40ARE DOING THIS INCLUDES THE

2:02:42INCLUSION ON OUR WEBSITE OF A

2:02:43FEEDBACK FORM THAT A VETERAN

2:02:45CAN FILL.

2:02:45>>FILL OUT IF THEY HAVE ISSUES

2:02:46WITH ANY ASPECT THAT'S GOING

2:02:48ON IN THE VETERAN COMMUNITY

2:02:50THIS HELPS US TO IDENTIFY WHAT

2:02:51THESE ISSUES ARE AND BEING

2:02:52ABLE TO BETTER SUPPORT AS WELL

2:02:55AS COMMISSIONER MENTIONED THE

2:02:56COLLABORATION WITH DIFFERENT

2:02:57CITY AGENCIES CITY COUNCIL

2:02:58MEMBERS SO THAT WE CAN ALL BE

2:03:00IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION

2:03:01ABOUT THESE ISSUES OTHERWISE

2:03:02AS WELL AS IDEAS THAT VETERANS

2:03:04HAVE SO THAT INCLUDES

2:03:07ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS ON

2:03:08PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR

2:03:09INDEPENDENT BOARD AND JUST

2:03:10UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE

2:03:11COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PASS OVER

2:03:13TO DONNA

2:03:13.>>THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION

2:03:15FOR THE AFTERCARE COMPONENT

2:03:16OUR TEAM SUPPORTS HAZING

2:03:19RAISING STABILITY AND

2:03:21PREVENTION BY MAINTAINING

2:03:22CONTACT WITH HOUSE VETERANS T

2:03:24OCONNECTING THEM TO SERVICES

2:03:26SCHEDULED CONTACTS HELP

2:03:28IDENTIFY CONCERNS EARLY URGENT

2:03:30HOUSING NEEDS AND ADDRESS AS

2:03:32THEY ARISE AND ARE MORE

2:03:34LIMITED TO SCHEDULED INTERVALS N

2:03:39COMMISSIONER DALTON.

2:03:39>>YEAH WE'RE DEPUTY

2:03:41COMMISSIONER I'M SPEAKING T

2:03:42OUS THERE'S NOT WOMEN THERE YESS

2:03:47.>>YEARS AGO IT WAS A COED

2:03:49FACILITY BUT ON OUR ABOUT 2

2:03:51018 I BELIEVE WHEN WE STARTED

2:03:55WITH THE GRANT WE SWITCHED T

2:03:57OOLD MILLS AND THE WOMEN WERE

2:03:59TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER

2:04:00FACILITY UNDER ICE OKAY I

2:04:01WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO UPDATE

2:04:03THE WEB SITE THANK YOU HMM OK

2:04:06ALTHOUGH NEW YORK YORK CITY

2:04:08REDUCED VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

2:04:09BY APPROXIMATELY 44% BETWEEN

2:04:14201520 25 THE NUMBER OF

2:04:14HOMELESS VETERANS HAS

2:04:16INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS

2:04:18RISING FROM 482 INDIVIDUALS IN

2:04:2420 22 2 697 AND 20 25 WHAT

2:04:25FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO

2:04:27THIS INCREASE WHAT SPECIFIC

2:04:29STRATEGIES IS THE

2:04:30ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTING T

2:04:31OREVERSE THIS TREND AND

2:04:33ADDITIONALLY WHAT POLICIES

2:04:34PROGRAMS ARE INVESTMENTS WERE

2:04:36MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

2:04:37SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS

2:04:38ACHIEVED BETWEEN 201522 AND

2:04:41HOW IS THE ADMINISTRATION

2:04:43BUILDING UPON THOSE SUCCESSES

2:04:46TODAY ALL RIGHT THANK THANK

2:04:49YOU I'LL START AND MY

2:04:51COLLEAGUES VERY WELL WANT T

2:04:54OJUMP IN HERE AND I THINK YOU

2:04:56KNOW IT WAS A TREMENDOUS

2:04:58DECLINE IN VETERAN

2:05:00HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE

2:05:00COUNTRY AND I THINK WHAT YOU

2:05:02SAW FROM BOTH AT A NATIONAL

2:05:04LEVEL AND FEDERAL LEVEL AS

2:05:05WELL AS HERE IN NEW YORK CITY

2:05:08IS PEOPLE JUST DOING THE

2:05:09THINGS THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO

2:05:11PROVIDING THE VOUCHERS THAT

2:05:12THEY NEEDED PRIORITIZING THIS

2:05:14POPULATION BRINGING THEM INTO

2:05:16SHELTER WHEN THAT WAS PART OF

2:05:18THE JOURNEY AND HELPING THEM

2:05:19TO MOVE ON TO HOUSING QUICKLY

2:05:21I WILL SAY THAT ALL OF US

2:05:24SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING FEDERAL

2:05:26INVESTMENTS TO BE RESTORED FOR

2:05:28THIS FOR THIS GROUP THE

2:05:30FEDERAL VASH VOUCHERS WHICH I

2:05:32THINK IN OUR PREVIOUS HISTORY

2:05:35HERE WHERE A GOOD PERCENTAGE

2:05:36OF THE WAY PEOPLE LEFT THE

2:05:39HOMELESSNESS SYSTEM ON ON THAT

2:05:41VOUCHER HAVE DECLINED DEEPLY

2:05:43OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND SO S

2:05:46WHO ARE ON THOSE VOUCHERS THE

2:05:49FEDS WILL SAY ARE SAFE ON THEM S

2:05:56HAS DROPPED I HAVE A AH 93%

2:06:01FROM ITS PEAK SO THE FEDERAL

2:06:03GOVERNMENT IS REALLY LEAVING

2:06:05US WITHOUT A SPECIFIC HOUSING

2:06:07RESOURCES FOR THIS POPULATION

2:06:10SO WE AS A CITY I I I ARE THE

2:06:13MOST GENEROUS IN THE COUNTRY

2:06:15IN TERMS OF PROVIDING LOCAL

2:06:17FUNDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE

2:06:17AND PAYMENT AND SUPPORT FOR

2:06:20PEOPLE EXITING HOMELESSNESS

2:06:22INCLUDING THE VETERANS

2:06:25POPULATION AND NEW YORK CITY

2:06:28AGAIN SUPPORTS VETERANS AND

2:06:30SEES THEM AS ELIGIBLE ENTITIES R

2:06:33OR IN COMMUNITY FOR PROGRAMS

2:06:34LIKE CITY FABS AND SO I WOULD

2:06:35SAY THE FEDERAL DISINVESTMENT

2:06:38OR THE FEDERAL INVESTMENT

2:06:39REALLY HELPED US TO REDUCE

2:06:43HOMELESSNESS DURING THAT

2:06:43PERIOD AND IN THE FEDERAL

2:06:45DISINVESTMENT IS HURTING OUR

2:06:47ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE

2:06:49THOSE STRIDES I WILL SAY NEW

2:06:50YORK CITY STILL HAS ONE OF THE

2:06:51LOWEST OR THE LOWEST VETERAN

2:06:54HOMELESSNESS AND THE IN THE

2:06:55COUNTRY WE FIND THANKFULLY

2:06:57VERY FEW PEOPLE ON THE STREET

2:06:58WHO IDENTIFY SELF IDENTIFY AS

2:07:01A VETERAN AND SO TO THE EXTENT

2:07:03TO WHICH FOLKS ARE HOMELESS

2:07:05HERE THEY ARE IN OUR SHELTER

2:07:07SYSTEM BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE

2:07:08ALL OF US TO LOOK AT AT THE

2:07:11FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE

2:07:11SUPPORT THAT WE NEED TO SERVE

2:07:13THIS GROUP THANK YOU AND WHICH

2:07:16BOROUGHS COUNCIL DISTRICTS OR

2:07:17NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE THE HIGHEST

2:07:19CONCENTRATIONS OF VETERANS

2:07:21EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND

2:07:22HOW IS THE CITY TARGETING

2:07:24OUTREACH AND SERVICES TO THOSE

2:07:26HIGHEST NEED AREAS

2:07:28.>>YEAH THANK YOU I'M SO I CAN

2:07:31ANSWER THE QUESTION FOR FOLKS

2:07:33WHO WERE IN SHELTER IN OF THIS

2:07:38YEAR THEIR LAST ADDRESS RIGHT

2:07:39SO I THINK THAT THAT GETS T

2:07:40OTHE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION SO

2:07:44SO THAT'S A THAT'S A BOROUGH

2:07:44BREAKDOWN YES A BRONX 24%

2:07:48BROOKLYN 23% MANHATTAN 21%

2:07:53QUEENS 12% STATEN ISLAND 2%

2:07:57WE'VE GOT A KNOWN AD.

2:07:59>>OR I'M SORRY MANHATTAN WAS

2:08:0123% QUEENS WAS 12% SORRY I'LL

2:08:05START AGAIN OK.

2:08:06>>BRONX 24% BROOKLYN 23%

2:08:10MANHATTAN 21% QUEENS 12%

2:08:16STATEN ISLAND 2% WE DO HAVE

2:08:2117% WITH NO VERIFIABLE

2:08:22ASSOCIATED NEW YORK CITY

2:08:26ADDRESS AND ONLY 1% WITH AN

2:08:28UNKNOWN PRIOR ADDRESS OTHER

2:08:30THAN SHELTER

2:08:31.>>OKAY GREAT THANK YOU IF I

2:08:33AND I'M

2:08:34.>>SO SORRY IF WE CAN JUST ALSO

2:08:35INTERJECT FROM WHAT WE SEE

2:08:37FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE FOR

2:08:38VETERANS WHO ARE COMING

2:08:39THROUGH OUR DOORS SO IN THE

2:08:41MONTHS FROM JULY TO AUGUST OF

2:08:4320 26 WHAT WE SEE IS THAT

2:08:45COUNSEL DISTRICT 14 1531 WE

2:08:47SEE THE MOST REQUESTS FOR

2:08:49HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO OUR

2:08:50AGENCY JUST TO PROVIDE SOME

2:08:51MORE COLOR FOR HOUSING

2:08:53ASSISTANCE SPECIFICALLY IN

2:08:54THROUGH OF THIS YEAR.

2:08:56>>YES THANK YOU

2:08:58.>>COUNCIL MEMBER OH GOOD THANK

2:09:01.>>AND WHEN YOU SAID THANK YOU

2:09:02AT THE OH SORRY HANG ON HOLD

2:09:05ON I KNOW YOU GOT A BIRTHDAY

2:09:05PARTY TO GET TO BUT

2:09:08.>>HOW ARE VETERANS IDENTIFIED

2:09:09WHEN THEY ENTER THE SHELTER

2:09:13THEIR MILITARY SERVICE YEAH

2:09:16THANK YOU I'M GOING TO TURN IT

2:09:16OVER TO THE DEPUTY

2:09:17COMMISSIONER TO WALK THROUGH

2:09:20THAT

2:09:20.>>THANK YOU SO.

2:09:22>>OUR VETERANS SELF REPORT AT

2:09:25THE POINT OF INTAKE SO WE HAVE

2:09:27SEVERAL INTAKE SITES AS

2:09:28COMMISSIONER DALTON MENTIONED

2:09:30FOR ADULT FAMILIES FAMILIES

2:09:31WITH CHILDREN AND SINGLE

2:09:32ADULTS SO OUR VETERANS DO SELF

2:09:34REPORT THEIR VETERANS STATUS

2:09:38AT THE INTAKE HOWEVER IF A

2:09:40VETERAN CHOOSES NOT T

2:09:41ODISCLOSE AT THE POINT OF

2:09:44INTAKE AND HOWEVER THEY

2:09:45DISCLOSED THROUGHOUT THEIR

2:09:46SHELTER STAY ONCE THEY ARRIVED

2:09:48TO THEIR PROGRAM SHELTER AND

2:09:50AFTER MEETING WITH THEIR CASE

2:09:52MANAGER OR SOMEONE ON STAFF

2:09:53THEY SHARE THAT THEY ARE A

2:09:55VETERAN WE DO ENGAGE IN ASK

2:09:58WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISH TO

2:10:00IDENTIFY AS A VETERAN SO WE

2:10:02CAN IDENTIFY THEM IN OUR

2:10:04SYSTEM AS SUCH IF THEY AGREE

2:10:07TO DO SO IF IT'S A SINGLE MALE R

2:10:10THAT

2:10:10.>>PERSON TO BORDEN OR AGAIN

2:10:13WHEREVER SHELTER THEY WISH T

2:10:16OBE PLACED AT SO WE DO CONTINUE

2:10:19TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR

2:10:20VETERANS AT THE POINT OF

2:10:21INTAKE AND EVEN WHILE IN

2:10:23SHELTER OKAY AND WOULD YOU SAY

2:10:24THERE ARE SUFFICIENT VETERANS

2:10:27SPECIFIC HOUSING RESOURCES

2:10:27INCLUDING SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

2:10:29AND VASH VOUCHERS TO MEET THE

2:10:32CURRENT NEED.

2:10:32>>SO AS COMMISSIONER DALTON

2:10:34INDICATED THE NUMBER OF HOT

2:10:36FAT HEART VOUCHERS HAVE

2:10:38DECLINED UM SO THE WITH

2:10:40RESPECT TO THE HUT VASH

2:10:42AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

2:10:45IS RESPONSIBLE BUT AS IT

2:10:47RELATES TO THE CITY SUBSIDIES

2:10:48THAT WE HAVE SPECIFICALLY CITY R

2:10:52VETERANS WITH CITY PERHAPS SO

2:10:54THEY HAVE THOSE VOUCHERS WE

2:10:57ALSO HAVE HAVE THEM COMPLETELY

2:11:00CAPPED SURVEY IF THEY QUALIFY

2:11:04SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SO BETWEEN

2:11:04THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CITY

2:11:07PERHAPS IF A VETERAN IS OVER

2:11:09INCOME YOU KNOW WE DO ASSIST

2:11:11WITH THE ENHANCED ONE SHOT

2:11:12DEAL OR THE SOUL TWO PROGRAM

2:11:14AGAIN THESE ARE ALL HOUSING

2:11:16RESOURCES THAT WE UTILIZE T

2:11:18OASSIST OUR VETERANS AND

2:11:19MOVEMENT INTO PERMANENCY.

2:11:21>>THANK YOU AND DO YOU KNOW

2:11:22HOW MANY VETERANS ARE

2:11:24RECEIVING HOUSING SUBSIDIES

2:11:26OTHER THAN VOUCHERS SUCH AS

2:11:27ONE SHOT DEALS OR CITY PEPES

2:11:30YEAH UM YEAH I CAN PROVIDE

2:11:33THAT FOR FREE 26 UM FOR

2:11:39SUBSIDIZED PLACEMENT SO FOR

2:11:40THE 414 SUBSIDIZED PLACEMENTS

2:11:43DURING THAT TIME 41% WERE FOPS E

2:11:49SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ANOTHER 5

2:11:52%WERE E OZ D SODA 4% SECTION

2:11:56EIGHT AND OTHER WHICH INCLUDES

2:11:57NIETZSCHE 5% SECTION EIGHT WAS

2:12:00HOW MUCH 4% OK AND WHAT IS THE

2:12:03AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TIME A

2:12:05VETERAN SPENDS IN SHELTER

2:12:05BEFORE SECURING PERMANENT

2:12:08HOUSING YEAH WE'VE GOT THAT AS

2:12:10WELL ON HOLD ON ONE SECON

2:12:13DPREFER A DIFFERENT LET'S NOT

2:12:14PREFER A DIFFERENT NUMBER I'VE

2:12:16GOT TO FLIP OVER HERE

2:12:22.>>AH SO THIS IS DATA FROM FROM

2:12:29JUNE 5 2026 AND I THINK

2:12:31PROVIDES THE BEST LOOK AT

2:12:33LENGTH OF STAY SO THE AVERAGE

2:12:35LENGTH OF STAY AND AH.

2:12:38>>WE CAN ALSO GET YOU MORE

2:12:40DETAIL IF IF THIS DOESN'T HELP

2:12:44IS TO HUNDRED 81 DAYS ACROSS

2:12:45THE WHOLE SYSTEM FOR SINGLE

2:12:47ADULT VETERANS IT'S 285 DAYS

2:12:50ADULT FAMILIES WITH VETERANS

2:12:54199 FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

2:12:55WITH VETERANS 269 DAYS I'M

2:12:57SORRY CAN YOU REPEAT THOSE

2:13:00AGAIN AGAIN AVERAGE ACROSS THE

2:13:02WHOLE SYSTEM 281 DAYS YEP

2:13:05ADULTS 2 85 ADULT FAMILY 1 9

2:13:109FAMILY WITH CHILDREN HUNDRED

2:13:1369 THANK YOU

2:13:14.>>I TURN IT BACK OVER TO CHAIR.

2:13:20>>THANK YOU UM.

2:13:21>>MY PREDECESSOR ROBERT HOLDEN D

2:13:24THE LIBRARY HE FOUNDED THE

2:13:26BOOKS THERE WHEN I VISITED THE

2:13:29SITE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE

2:13:29WAN THE ROOM WAS CLOSED AND

2:13:33THEN I SPOKE TO THE RESIDENTS

2:13:35WHY IS IT CLOSED WHILE THEY

2:13:38DIDN'T GET A THEY DIDN'T GIVE

2:13:39A REASON SO CAN YOU TELL ME

2:13:40WHY IS IT CLOSED AND THEY HAVE

2:13:42NO ACCESS TO THE ROOM.

2:13:44>>UM I CAN I CAN I CAN REPORT

2:13:46ON THEM WHAT I'VE WHAT I SAW

2:13:49AND WHAT I HEARD LAST NIGHT SO

2:13:53THE LIBRARY IS LOVELY EH WELL

2:13:57FUNCTIONING IT'S THERE'S GOT A

2:13:58NICE THERE'S A NICE TABLE

2:13:59THERE'S SOME NICE SEATED

2:14:01CHAIRS AND THERE ARE BOOKS

2:14:03AROUND THE CORNERS ARE AROUND

2:14:05THE WALLS THAT THAT IS THE

2:14:07PLACE PLACE THAT I HELD A

2:14:09LISTENING SESSION WITH WITH

2:14:10RESIDENTS AND THEY ABSOLUTELY

2:14:11CAME IN AND OUT AND USED THAT

2:14:13ROOM ALSO LAST NIGHT WHEN I

2:14:15WAS WITH TARA HUDSON ON AN

2:14:17UNANNOUNCED VISIT THERE WAS A

2:14:19I HEARD OVER THE LOUDSPEAKER

2:14:22AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT A MOVIE

2:14:22WAS BEING SHOWN IN THE LIBRARY

2:14:25.>>AND SO THOSE TWO THINGS

2:14:27INDICATE TO ME THAT THE

2:14:28LIBRARY IS VERY MUCH

2:14:29FUNCTIONING AND IN USE OK SO

2:14:32SO YOU'RE JUST HAMIL TELLING

2:14:32ME THAT RESIDENTS DO HAVE

2:14:34ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY AND IN

2:14:36THE MATERIAL AS WELL AS THE

2:14:37MATERIALS INSIDE.

2:14:38>>THAT THAT IS MY

2:14:40UNDERSTANDING AND MY MY

2:14:41TESTIMONY IS BASED ON THOSE

2:14:42TWO THINGS THAT I I DID FIND

2:14:44THE 9 11 1 FOR YOU IF YOU'D

2:14:45LIKE IT.

2:14:46>>ALL RIGHT WELL UM I WAS TOLD

2:14:48A VERY DIFFERENT

2:14:49.>>STORY THAT THEY HAVE NO

2:14:52ACCESS SO OK IF I'M GLAD THAT

2:14:55THESE VISITS WE WILL ALLOW

2:14:57THESE FACILITIES BE OPEN AGAIN T

2:15:01.>>SO THAT'S MY THAT'S MY

2:15:02QUESTION CHAIR THANK YOU THANK

2:15:04.>>YOU THANK YOU I HAVE A

2:15:06NUMBER OF QUESTIONS BUT I WANT

2:15:08TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THE

2:15:09MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT

2:15:10HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR HERE FOR

2:15:10TWO AND A HALF HOURS TO SHARE

2:15:13THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT'S

2:15:14GOING ON NOT ONLY WITH BORDEN

2:15:16AVENUE BUT ON A LOT OF THE

2:15:18LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE

2:15:19CONSIDERING TODAY BUT

2:15:21COMMISSIONER MONTA BEFORE WE

2:15:22BEFORE WE WRAP UM YOU

2:15:26DESCRIBED AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS

2:15:28INVOLVING VOUCHERS APARTMENT

2:15:31INSPECTIONS DOCUMENTATION

2:15:31APPROVALS AND MULTIPLE

2:15:32AGENCIES CAN YOU TELL US THE

2:15:35MEDIAN NUMBER OF DAYS BETWEEN

2:15:38A VETERAN FIRST REQUESTING

2:15:40HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND

2:15:41ACTUALLY MOVING INTO PERMANENT

2:15:43HOUSING HOW LONG IS THE WHOLE

2:15:44THING USUALLY TAKE THANK YOU

2:15:45FOR THAT QUESTION I'LL PASS IT

2:15:47ON TO MY ASSOCIATE

2:15:48COMMISSIONER DON SMALLS.

2:15:49>>THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION

2:15:52THE MEDIUM CAN TAKE ANYWHERE

2:15:55BETWEEN SEVEN MONTHS TO EIGH

2:15:56TMONTHS UM FOR A VETERAN AND

2:15:58MOVING TO PERMANENT HOUSING

2:16:00.>>EACH A SITUATION OR EACH

2:16:02CIRCUMSTANCES IS DIFFERENT

2:16:04DEPENDING ON WHAT THIS A

2:16:06BETTER MAN HAS IF HE HAS HE OR

2:16:10SHE HAS DOCUMENTATION COMING

2:16:12INTO SHELTER SHE IF THEY DO

2:16:16ETO HELP THEN THAT TIME PERIOD

2:16:17MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT LONGER

2:16:19BUT MY HUSBAND'S TEAM UM WALKS

2:16:22THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH THEM Y

2:16:25PARTNERS TO GET THE ADEQUATE

2:16:26DOCUMENTS THAT THEY NEED TO

2:16:28MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING

2:16:29.>>SO FOR THAT SEVEN MONTHS

2:16:31WHICH STEP USUALLY TAKES THE

2:16:31LONGEST AMOUNT OF TIME IS

2:16:34THERE ANYTHING WE COULD DO T

2:16:34OREDUCE THAT.

2:16:35>>IT CAN BE THE DOCUMENTS THE

2:16:38DOCUMENTATION BECAUSE MOST

2:16:39VETERANS CAN COME INTO A

2:16:40SHELTER THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A

2:16:43BIRTH CERTIFICATE THEY MIGHT

2:16:44NOT HAVE A SOCIAL.

2:16:45>>SECURITY CARD OR A PHOTO ID

2:16:47AND IN ORDER TO GET THOSE YOU

2:16:49NEED ONE OR THE OTHER

2:16:50.>>SO THAT CAN TAKE EXTENSIVE

2:16:53AMOUNT OF TIME I KNOW BECAUSE

2:16:56I'VE HELPED MANY VETERANS TRY

2:16:57TO GET THEIR DOCUMENTS I'VE

2:16:59ALSO WALKED THROUGH THE STEPS

2:17:01WITH THEM SO JUST GETTING

2:17:04THEIR LEGALIZATION DOCUMENTS

2:17:04CAN TAKE A LOT A LONG

2:17:07.>>TIME AND THEN ONCE THEY GET

2:17:08THAT IT CAN MOVE A LITTLE BIT

2:17:10FASTER BUT THEN YOU KNOW WE

2:17:11HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE

2:17:13DIFFERENT AGENCIES MOVE

2:17:14FORWARD WITH THOUSANDS

2:17:16.>>AH COMMISSIONER DALTON

2:17:18HEARING FROM TWO DISTINGUISHED

2:17:22FEMALE VETERANS BRINGS ME BACK

2:17:24TO YOUR CONVERSATION EARLIER

2:17:25ABOUT.

2:17:26>>WOMEN VETERANS IN THE

2:17:28SHELTER SYSTEM YOUR TESTIMONY

2:17:29SAID THAT 55 WOMEN VETERANS

2:17:31WERE IN SHELTER AS OF LAST

2:17:34WEEK CURRENTLY NEW YORK CITY

2:17:35DOESN'T HAVE A SHELTER

2:17:38EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN VETERANS S

2:17:43ASSESSED WHETHER WOMEN

2:17:44VETERANS WOULD BENEFIT FROM A

2:17:47DEDICATED FACILITY OR SOME

2:17:49SORT OF SPECIALIST

2:17:50.>>PROGRAMMING PARTICULARLY

2:17:51PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE DEALING

2:17:53WITH MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA

2:17:55AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH

2:17:57THAT IN MY TIME HERE WE HAVE

2:17:59NOT ASSESSED THAT OR AT LEAST

2:18:00THAT I'M NOT I'M UNAWARE IF WE

2:18:03HAD BUT I THINK IT'S AN

2:18:05EXCELLENT POINT AND WE CAN

2:18:06TAKE WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT

2:18:08THAT ISSUE AS WE WE THINK THE

2:18:12SYSTEM AND SYSTEM CAPACITY

2:18:13GOING GOING FORWARD IT'S A

2:18:14RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER BUT

2:18:17BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE FOR

2:18:19SURE THAT THAT THAT VETERANS

2:18:22AND FEMALE VETERANS ALSO HAVE

2:18:25SPECIAL SETS OF CIRCUMSTANCES

2:18:25AND NEEDS THAT COULD COULD BE

2:18:29SERVED WELL IN ONE FACILITY WE

2:18:30DO HAVE WE DO AS WE TESTIFIED

2:18:34HAVE TO FACILITIES THAT HAVE

2:18:38SET ASIDE UNIT A SPACES FOR

2:18:41FEMALE VETERANS WHERE WE DO

2:18:42CONSOLIDATE SERVICES IT IS RUN

2:18:44BY THE SAME PROVIDER THAT HAS

2:18:47A VETERAN EXPERTISE ON THE

2:18:48SINGLE THE SINGLE SIDE BUT UM

2:18:49DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DO YOU

2:18:50HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT

2:18:52YEAH

2:18:52.>>SO I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO

2:18:55HISTORICALLY WE'VE ALWAYS HAD

2:18:58RELATIVELY LOW WOMEN VETERANS

2:19:00IN SHELTER SO WE SAW AN UPTICK

2:19:01AS RECENT AT MAYBE 12 18

2:19:04MONTHS AGO BUT THE NUMBER OF

2:19:05FEMALE VETERANS AND SHELTER

2:19:07HAS BEEN BETWEEN 30 OR BELOW

2:19:08HENCE WHY THERE'S NEVER BEEN A

2:19:12DEDICATED SHELTER SPECIFICALLY

2:19:13FOR THEM BUT AS COMMISSIONER

2:19:14DALTON POINTS IT OUT AND AS

2:19:15YOU POINT IT OUT AS PERHAPS

2:19:18THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE

2:19:20SHOULD DEFINITELY REVISIT AS

2:19:21WE START TO SEE THE NUMBERS OF

2:19:22WOMEN COMING INTO UM THE

2:19:25SYSTEM I WOULD EVENTUALLY

2:19:26GUESS THAT THE NUMBER OF

2:19:27TRANSGENDER VETERANS IS ALSO

2:19:29RELATIVELY LOW BUT THAT STILL

2:19:31WAS ENOUGH TO HAVE US OPT OUT

2:19:35OF $1.4 MILLION OF FEDERAL

2:19:35GRANT MONEY SO EVEN IF THERE

2:19:37ARE ONLY 30 OR 40 OR 58 FEMALE

2:19:42HOMELESS VETERANS IF WE COULD

2:19:44FIND FACILITIES TO MAKE SURE

2:19:46THAT THEY'RE ACCOMMODATED IN

2:19:47GETTING THE SERVICES THEY NEED T

2:19:50THAT TAXPAYERS SHOULD

2:19:51CERTAINLY BE INTERESTED IN

2:19:53MAKE IT BUT MY LAST QUESTION

2:19:57FOR COMMISSIONER DALTON YOU

2:19:57TESTIFIED THAT YOU PERSONALLY

2:19:58PARTICIPATED IN A LISTENING

2:20:01SESSION WITH ABOUT 20 BORDEN

2:20:04AVENUE RESIDENTS AND RECEIVED

2:20:07A MIXED OR FEEDBACK ABOUT

2:20:07BUILDING CONDITIONS FOOD

2:20:09SECURITY SERVICES A LOT OF THE

2:20:10THINGS THAT YOU'VE REFERRED TO

2:20:13WHAT WERE THE THREE MOST

2:20:15SERIOUS.

2:20:16>>COMPLAINTS THAT YOU HEARD

2:20:18DIRECTLY MOST FROM THOSE

2:20:20VETERANS AND I'M WONDERING

2:20:22HAVE THERE BEEN ANY CONCRETE

2:20:25CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN

2:20:26RESPONSE I KNOW YOU MENTIONED

2:20:28THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING IN

2:20:30MILITARY CHEFS TO ADDRESS THE

2:20:31FOOD ISSUE HAS THERE ANY HAS

2:20:34THERE BEEN ANY SPECIFIC

2:20:35CHANGES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN

2:20:37MADE AS A RESULT OF THAT

2:20:38LISTENING SESSION YEAH THANK

2:20:40YOU THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION E

2:20:44HEARD THE MOST ABOUT WAS WAS

2:20:47THE ISSUE OF THE FOOD AND SO

2:20:51AS I TESTIFIED WERE WORKING

2:20:52WITH ICL THINKING ABOUT UM

2:20:55WHAT WE WE MIGHT DO WITH THE

2:20:59EXISTING WITH THE EXISTING

2:21:01PROVIDER AND AN INFORMING MEAL

2:21:03AND AND TALKING MORE WITH THE

2:21:06VETERANS AND WE'RE LOOKING AT

2:21:08OTHER OPTIONS TOO WHICH I

2:21:09TESTIFIED WOULD INCLUDE

2:21:11PROCUREMENT THAT COULD ALLOW

2:21:12US TO USE THE COMMERCIAL

2:21:14KITCHEN THAT IS RIGHT THERE I

2:21:16NFRONT OF FOLKS AND I I DIDN'T

2:21:19PARTICIPATE BUT I KNOW THAT

2:21:22THE LEADERSHIP HAD A HOUSE

2:21:23MEETING WITH THE VETERANS LAST

2:21:26LAST EVENING AND REPORTED BACK

2:21:28SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE

2:21:30HEARD AND THE CHANGES THAT

2:21:32WERE WERE BEING MADE I MEAN IT

2:21:35SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF

2:21:38DISCUSSION TO FIX THE SHOWER

2:21:41ISSUE PARTICULARLY

2:21:41PARTICULARLY IF THAT HAS BEEN

2:21:42RAISED FOR A LONG TIME BUT WE

2:21:43ARE ABSOLUTELY TAKING ACTION

2:21:46ON THAT I THINK THAT'S AN

2:21:47IMPORTANT STEP AND THEN

2:21:50SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T

2:21:52TOUCHED ON ALL THAT MUCH BUT

2:21:53WE ARE LOOKING AT IS JUST THE

2:21:56ISSUES AROUND AROUND SECURITY

2:22:00AND AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

2:22:02WITH ICL TO ENSURE THAT WE

2:22:05HAVE THE MOST UP TO DATE

2:22:07TRAININGS THAT POLICE SUPPORT

2:22:09AS NECESSARY AND SO THAT WE

2:22:10CAN ENSURE THAT THERE IS EVEN

2:22:13THOUGH I AM PLEASED TO SEE ALL

2:22:17OF THE 9 11 CALLS DOWN AND THE

2:22:18INCIDENTS DOWN AND COMPLAINTS

2:22:20DOWN THERE'S ALWAYS MORE WE

2:22:21CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT THAT

2:22:23FOLKS ARE

2:22:24.>>SAFE MY FINAL QUESTION IS

2:22:26WHEN I VISITED BORDEN AVENUE

2:22:28IN THE LIBRARY THERE WAS A

2:22:30PORTRAIT OF SOMEBODY ON THE

2:22:32WALL AT THE TIME NOBODY KNEW

2:22:33WHO THAT PERSON WAS HAS ANYONE

2:22:35FIGURED OUT WHO'S ON THE WALL

2:22:36OF THE LIBRARY AT BORDEN

2:22:39AVENUE WELL NO YOU KNOW.

2:22:42>>AH YES THERE WAS A ME

2:22:44THERE'S A STAFF AT THE

2:22:46FACILITY WHO IDENTIFIED THE

2:22:47GENTLEMAN THOUGH I DON'T

2:22:50RECALL BUT THE GENTLEMAN HAS

2:22:50BEEN IDENTIFIED WE'LL BE SURE

2:22:52TO REPORT BACK WE'RE GOING TO

2:22:53FIND OUT THE IDENTITY OF THAT

2:22:55PERSON AND EVERYBODY EVERYBODY

2:22:56.>>KNOWS HE WAS SOMEBODY WHO

2:22:58FUNDED HE FUNDED THE LIBRARY

2:22:59OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT YEAH.

2:23:02>>COMMISSIONERS THANK YOU VERY

2:23:03MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY DEPUTY

2:23:07COMMISSIONERS AND CHIEF OF

2:23:08STAFF ORLANDO CERTAINLY THANK

2:23:09YOU ALL VERY VERY MUCH ALL

2:23:12RIGHT IN A MOMENT WE ARE GOING

2:23:17FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS IS

2:23:19THE ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT

2:23:21PART OF THE HEARING AS

2:23:23INTERESTED AS I AM IN HEARING

2:23:25FROM THE ADMINISTRATION I'M

2:23:26MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN

2:23:26HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC I WANT

2:23:30TO BEGIN BY THANKING EVERYBODY

2:23:32FOR THEIR PATIENCE IN WAITING

2:23:33HERE WHETHER THEY'RE WAITING

2:23:35TO TESTIFY IN ZOOM OR

2:23:36ESPECIALLY EVERYBODY THAT MADE

2:23:38THEIR WAY HERE IN PERSON BUT A

2:23:40LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I

2:23:42.>>HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND

2:23:44WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE

2:23:45ASKED THEM AND HOPEFULLY THAT

2:23:46WILL INFORM YOUR TESTIMONY AS

2:23:48WAY AS WELL.

2:23:50>>THE UH IF FOR ANYBODY THAT

2:23:52GOT FOR FOR ANYBODY THAT CAN'T K

2:23:56AROUND FEEL FREE TO SUBMIT

2:23:57TESTIMONY IN WRITING AS

2:24:01.>>WELL AS FAR AS YOU KNOW

2:24:03CHAIR HUDSON MENTIONED EARLIER L

2:24:07MEMBERS GRANDSTANDING ON

2:24:08OCCASION AS SOMEBODY THAT'S

2:24:09BEEN ACCUSED OF GRANDSTANDING

2:24:11MORE THAN ONCE MYSELF I CAN

2:24:13PROMISE YOU THAT I WILL STAY

2:24:16AND LISTEN TO EVERY LAST

2:24:18PERSON FROM THE PUBLIC THAT

2:24:20HAS MADE THEIR WAY TO TESTIFY

2:24:22HERE TODAY AND THAT EVERYBODY

2:24:23THAT CAN'T STAY THAT SUBMITS

2:24:25TESTIMONY IN WRITING I CAN

2:24:27PROMISE YOU I'LL BE REVIEWING

2:24:28EVERY SINGLE PERSON'S

2:24:30TESTIMONY IN WRITING AS WELL

2:24:32WITH THAT UM I WILL REMIND

2:24:33MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT

2:24:35THIS IS A FORMAL GOVERNMENT

2:24:37PROCEEDING AND THAT DECORUM

2:24:38SHALL BE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES E

2:24:41PUBLIC SHALL REMAIN SILENT AT

2:24:43ALL TIMES THE WITNESS TAXI I

2:24:45APOLOGIZE TO THAT GENTLEMAN

2:24:46FOR NOT READING THAT EARLIER

2:24:48SORRY TO HIM.

2:24:49>>THE WITNESS TABLE IS

2:24:50RESERVED FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH

2:24:53TO TESTIFY NO VIDEO RECORDING

2:24:54OR PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED FROM

2:24:55THE WITNESS TABLE FURTHER

2:24:56MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT

2:24:59PRESENT AUDIO OR VIDEO

2:25:01RECORDINGS AS TESTIMONY BUT

2:25:04SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS OF SUCH

2:25:06REPORTINGS RECORDINGS TO THE

2:25:07SERGEANT AT ARMS FOR INCLUSION

2:25:09IN THE HEARING RECORD

2:25:10.>>IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK AT

2:25:11TODAY'S HEARING PLEASE FILL

2:25:12OUT AN APPEARANCE CARD WITH

2:25:13THE SERGEANT AT ARMS AND WAIT

2:25:16TO BE RECOGNIZED WHEN

2:25:17RECOGNIZED YOU WILL HAVE FIV

2:25:18EMINUTES TO SPEAK A LOT OF

2:25:20OTHER COMMITTEES ONLY GIVE YOU

2:25:21THREE WE ARE GIVING YOU FIV

2:25:23ETO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AS MUCH

2:25:25TIME AS THE COUNCIL MEMBERS

2:25:26HAVE AND THAT PLEASE KEEP YOUR

2:25:29TESTIMONY FOCUSED ON TODAY'S

2:25:32TOPIC VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN

2:25:32NEW YORK CITY OR ON THE

2:25:35LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE HEARING

2:25:36TODAY WE'LL HEAR ALL IN PERSON

2:25:39TESTIMONY FIRST THEN TURN T

2:25:40OZOOM IF YOU HAVE A WRITTEN

2:25:42STATEMENT OR ADDITIONAL

2:25:43WRITTEN TESTIMONY YOU WISH T

2:25:44OSUBMIT FOR THE RECORD PLEASE

2:25:45PROVIDE A COPY OF THAT

2:25:47TESTIMONY TO THE SERGEANT AT

2:25:48ARMS WILL NOW CALL THE FIRST

2:25:52PANEL AH I WANT TO TO WELCOME

2:25:54JODI RUDIN THE PRESIDENT OF

2:25:58LEROY BELTON A FORMER I AND

2:26:01ANNE MARIE FOSTER THE

2:26:03PRESIDENT AND OF OF PHOENIX

2:26:07PLEASE COME ON DOWN BE SEATED

2:26:19GET STARTED

2:26:19.>>WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE JUST

2:26:21EVERYBODY IS AWARE WE HAVE

2:26:22ABOUT FIVE PANELS FROM THE

2:26:23PUBLIC THAT ARE GOING TO BE

2:26:26TESTIFYING WHICH I THINK IS

2:26:28GREAT I HOPE WE GET 25 PANELS

2:26:31OF PEOPLE COMING TO TESTIFY I

2:26:33HOPE I'M HERE UNTIL MIDNIGHT

2:26:36TONIGHT LISTENING TO CONCERNS

2:26:38QUESTIONS THOUGHTS OPINIONS

2:26:39FROM THE PUBLIC UM ARE WE

2:26:43GOING TO STEAL ARE WE GOING T

2:27:01GREAT HIBELTON AND MISS FOSTER

2:27:02.>>ALL RIGHT RUDIN IF YOU WANT

2:27:03TO BEGIN PLEASE DO SO FIRST

2:27:07BEFORE YOU BEGIN ACTUALLY I'LL

2:27:09SAY YOU KNOW A LOT OF US WHO

2:27:11ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT

2:27:13THING BY OUR VETERANS OR

2:27:15PEOPLE THAT ARE IN SHELTERS

2:27:18GENERALLY WHERE QUICK T

2:27:21OCOMPLAIN AND SOMETIMES I'M

2:27:22CONCERNED THAT THAT HAS THE

2:27:24EFFECT OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU OR

2:27:26OTHER PROVIDERS THAT SPEND A

2:27:27LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT TRYING

2:27:30TO HELP PEOPLE THAT THAT LEADS

2:27:33THOSE FOLKS TO FEELING LIKE

2:27:34THEY'RE WORK IS NOT

2:27:36APPRECIATED KNOW THAT FOREVER

2:27:38HOWEVER MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE

2:27:40ABOUT BORDEN AVENUE OR ANY

2:27:42OTHER FACILITY I REALLY

2:27:44APPRECIATE AND RECOGNIZE THE

2:27:45WORK THAT NOT ONLY YOU DO BUT

2:27:46YOUR STAFF DOES THANK YOU FOR

2:27:48DOING IT.

2:27:49>>THANK YOU THANK YOU TO BOTH

2:27:51CHAIRS AND FOR THE COMMITTEE

2:27:52ON YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HOLDING

2:27:55THIS HEARING AND FOR SHINING A

2:27:56LIGHT ON THE ISSUE AND I WANT

2:27:59TO PICK UP WHERE COUNSEL WHERE

2:28:02CHAIR HUDSON BEGAN WE AS A

2:28:05COUNTRY AND A CITY CAN DO A

2:28:07LOT BETTER BY THE PEOPLE WHO

2:28:08HAVE SERVED THIS COUNTRY AND

2:28:10WE BRING THAT ETHOS TO THE

2:28:12WORK AT BOARD AND I'M PROUD OF

2:28:14THE WORK THAT WE DO BUT

2:28:16THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM TO IMPROVE A

2:28:19CONTINUOUS QUALITY MOVEMENT

2:28:19LENDS TO THE WORK AND I TOO

2:28:22WILL BE STAYING TO HEAR WHAT

2:28:23EVERYONE HAS TO SAY ALL IN

2:28:26FURTHERANCE OF CONTINUING T

2:28:27OTRY TO PROVIDE THE BEST

2:28:28SERVICES WE CAN I THOUGHT I

2:28:30ONLY HAD TWO MINUTES SO I'LL

2:28:32TAKE SOME SOME LIBERTIES IN

2:28:35ELABORATING AS I GO SO AS YOU

2:28:38SAID I'M JODI RUDIN I'M THE OF

2:28:44AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BORDEN

2:28:46AVENUE SHELTER FOR THE

2:28:48SERVICES AND SUPPORTS PROVIDED

2:28:49TO THE VETERANS WHO RESIDE

2:28:50THERE AND FOR THE STAFF

2:28:52MEMBERS WHO WORK THERE THERE

2:28:55ARE STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES WITH

2:28:57OLD BUILDINGS THE CITY OWNS

2:28:59THIS BUILDING AND IS MOVING

2:28:59AHEAD AS WE HEARD WITH REPAIRS

2:29:01TO THE ROOF WHICH IS CAUSING

2:29:04SOME LEAKS BUT IMPORTANTLY NO

2:29:06LEAKS WHERE RESIDENTS SLEEP

2:29:08AND THEY ARE ALSO FUNDING

2:29:11MODIFICATIONS TO THE SHOWERS

2:29:12TO ADD PRIVACY AND WE EXPECT

2:29:14TO HAVE THAT WORK COMPLETED BY

2:29:15THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR

2:29:17THAT'S THE BUILDING THESE ARE

2:29:20THE SERVICES WE HAVE T

2:29:22OHUNDRED 31 RESIDENTS LAST YEARO

2:29:26PERMANENT HOMES THIS YEAR SO

2:29:28FAR 11 111 FOLKS A PERMANENT

2:29:32HOME IS TOP PRIORITY AND WE

2:29:34EXCEED THE CITIES PLACEMENT

2:29:37TARGETS CONSISTENTLY SINCE

2:29:40JANUARY 2026 5% OF CLIENTS

2:29:42HAVE GAINED OR MAINTAINED

2:29:43EMPLOYMENT AND WERE SUPPORTING

2:29:45OTHERS IN FINDING AND SECURING

2:29:49JOBS OVERDOSES HAVE DECLINED

2:29:52BY 54% COMPARED TO 20 25 WE

2:29:55ALSO HELP VETERANS IMPROVE

2:29:55THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL

2:29:58HEALTH ACCESS PUBLIC BENEFITS

2:29:59AND PARTNER WITH THE CITY WITH

2:30:02THE FEDERAL VA AND WITH

2:30:05EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS T

2:30:06ODELIVER A HOST OF SERVICES AND

2:30:09PROGRAMS I WANT TO SAY THAT

2:30:10WHEN CLIENTS ARRIVE WHEN

2:30:12VETERANS ARRIVE AT BORDEN

2:30:14THEY'RE ASSIGNED A CASE

2:30:14MANAGER AND WE WORK WITH THEM

2:30:20TO ACHIEVE PERMANENT HOUSING

2:30:21AND THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY

2:30:23AT BORDEN IS AROUND EIGHT

2:30:25MONTHS WE HAVE HOUSING

2:30:26SPECIALISTS WHO DO THIS WORK

2:30:28WE HAVE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS

2:30:30WHO SUPPORT CLIENTS IN GETTING

2:30:33EMPLOYMENT WE HAVE CAS ACS AND

2:30:36SUBSTANCE USE SPECIALISTS WHO

2:30:37WORK WITH CLIENTS ON THEIR

2:30:39SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS WE

2:30:42ALSO HAVE A OASIS A STATE A

2:30:45STATE LICENSED ALCOHOL AND

2:30:46SUBSTANCE USE CLINIC OFFSITE

2:30:48AND WE FREQUENTLY BRING THOSE

2:30:50STAFF INCLUDING PEERS WITH

2:30:52LIVED EXPERIENCE ON SITE TO

2:30:53BOARD AND TO SUPPORT PEOPLE

2:30:54WITH THEIR ABSTINENCE USE

2:30:57DISORDERS WE ORGANIZATIONALLY

2:30:59ABIDE BY AN ETHOS OF WALK

2:31:00ALONE GO FASTER WALK TOGETHER

2:31:03GO FARTHER I THINK BORDEN IS A

2:31:05GOOD EXAMPLE OF DIFFERENT

2:31:07GROUPS BOTH IN AND OUT OF

2:31:09GOVERNMENT COMING TOGETHER T

2:31:10OBE ADDITIVE WE GET TREMENDOUS

2:31:12SUPPORT FROM THE CITIES

2:31:13DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

2:31:15FROM THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF

2:31:17VETERANS SERVICES FROM OTHER

2:31:20VETERANS SERVICES

2:31:21ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE

2:31:23CITY AND OUR RESULTS ARE

2:31:24ADDITIVE TO ONE ANOTHER.

2:31:26>>BORDEN IS A 24 7 OPERATION

2:31:29IT DOES MORE THAN PROVIDE

2:31:31SHELTER IT HELPS VETERANS T

2:31:33ORECOVER BUILD STABILITY ARE 75

2:31:35STAFF MEMBERS WORK NOT JUST T

2:31:36OPROVIDE A BETTER MEALS BUT

2:31:39ALSO ALL THE SERVICES VETERANS

2:31:41NEED TO LIVE DIGNIFIED LIVES

2:31:43WE MAKE A POINT OF LISTENING

2:31:46TO OUR RESIDENTS WE CREATE

2:31:48OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS T

2:31:49OPROVIDE INPUT THROUGH BIWEEKLY

2:31:51MEETINGS COMMUNITY FORUMS

2:31:53SURVEYS 80% OF THE CLIENTS

2:31:55ABORTED AND TELL US THAT

2:31:56THEY'RE HAVING A POSITIVE

2:31:58EXPERIENCE THERE WE ALSO HEAR

2:31:59A LOT OF CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK X

2:32:04THINGS THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC

2:32:05YOU KNOW WE'VE TALKED A LOT

2:32:07ABOUT FOOD AND THAT IS THE

2:32:09SINGLE BIGGEST COMPLAINT THAT

2:32:10WE HEAR WHEN WE GET TOGETHER

2:32:12WITH THE RESIDENTS OF BORDEN

2:32:16WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ITERATE

2:32:17TO GET TO A GOOD PLACE WITH

2:32:19FOOD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE

2:32:22CHANGED OUR FOOD VENDOR FROM

2:32:24REGINA TO HEALTHY HEARTS AND

2:32:26WE PREVAILED UPON THE CITY T

2:32:28OINCREASE OUR FOOD PER THIAM IN

2:32:30THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF

2:32:32THOSE CHANGES WE DID GET GOOD

2:32:35FEEDBACK FROM VETERANS NOW

2:32:36WE'RE NOW WE'RE HEARING MORE

2:32:38ABOUT THE FOOD PEOPLE HAVE NEW

2:32:40CONCERNS SO WE'RE EXPLORING

2:32:42ADDITIONAL CHANGES WE HAVE A

2:32:43MONTHLY SURVEYING PROCESS ON

2:32:45FOOD WE ASKED THE VENDOR T

2:32:47OTHROW OUT MEALS THAT ARE NOT

2:32:49POPULAR WE DO THE MORE POPULAR

2:32:51MEALS MORE OFTEN AND AS THE

2:32:54COMMISSIONER OF MENTIONED WE

2:32:55ARE IN A BROADER STRATEGIC

2:32:59CONTEMPLATION ABOUT IMPROVING

2:32:59FOOD MORE BROADLY E I WANT T

2:33:01OSAY THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR

2:33:04IMPROVEMENT SOMETIMES THAT

2:33:05REQUIRES MORE FUNDING I WANT

2:33:07TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE PEOPLE

2:33:08WHO WORK AT BOARD AND I'M

2:33:09REALLY GRATEFUL TO OUR 7

2:33:115STAFF WHO SHOW UP IN HAZARDOUS

2:33:14WEATHER WEATHER IN GLOBAL

2:33:16PANDEMICS AND POWER OUTAGES

2:33:17THEY SHOW UP TO SERVE OUR

2:33:19VETERANS AND TO DO THE BEST

2:33:19WORK THEY CAN I ABSOLUTELY

2:33:23NEED TO CLARIFY THE URINE IN

2:33:26PEOPLE'S LIVING SPACES THERE

2:33:27IS FIRST OF ALL LET IT BE VERY

2:33:30CLEAR PRIVACY IN THE BATHROOM

2:33:33STALLS WITH DOORS THAT CAN BE

2:33:34CLOSED PRIVACY IS NOT AN ISSUE

2:33:35IN THE BATHROOMS IT'S NOT

2:33:37SOMETHING WE'VE HISTORICALLY

2:33:38HEARD FEEDBACK ON WHEN PEOPLE

2:33:41ARE URINATING AND CONTAINERS

2:33:41IT RELATES TO A SPECIFIC

2:33:44MEDICAL CONDITION AND SO

2:33:45THAT'S A SET OF EXCEPTIONS FOR

2:33:47PEOPLE WHO HAVE MEDICAL

2:33:49CONCERNS AND OF COURSE WE

2:33:51ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO CLEAN OUT

2:33:53THOSE CONTAINERS SO THAT WE

2:33:55CAN PROVIDE A CLEAN AND

2:33:58HABITABLE SHELTER I ALSO WANT

2:34:00TO MAKE CLEAR THAT FOOD IS NOT

2:34:02CONFISCATED WE HAVE AN AREA A

2:34:04ROOM WHERE PEOPLE CAN BRING

2:34:05FOOD AND EAT FROM THE OUTSIDE

2:34:08WE HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED FROM

2:34:10THAT PEOPLE CAN BRING FOOD

2:34:11FROM THE OUTSIDE AND EAT IT IN

2:34:12THE CAFETERIA SO WE ARE IN IN

2:34:13THE PROCESS OF CREATING A

2:34:15PROCESS FOR THAT I ALSO LASTLY E

2:34:19CULINARY ARTS TRAINING PROGRAM

2:34:20THAT WE HAVE ON SITE WITH

2:34:22PROJECT RENEWAL HAS CAPACITY

2:34:26FOR 20 PEOPLE PER COHORT IT

2:34:28WOULD MAKE US THRILLED IF ALL

2:34:3020 WERE CLIENTS AT BORDEN LAST

2:34:33CYCLE WE HAD NO CLIENTS FROM

2:34:35BORDEN NOW THIS BESPEAKS THE

2:34:36FACT THAT WE HAVE A HIGH

2:34:37EMPLOYMENT RATE AND THIS IS A

2:34:39RIGOROUS FOOD TRAINING PROGRAM D

2:34:43IN PRIORITIZING CLIENTS

2:34:44RESIDENTS WHO LIVE AT BOARD

2:34:45AND THE VETERANS AND WOULD DO

2:34:47BACKFLIPS TO DO SO AND WOULD

2:34:49WANT TO TALK TO YOU

2:34:52COUNCILMEMBER WANG OFFLINE IF

2:34:53YOU'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO

2:34:54AREN'T GETTING ACCESS TO THE

2:34:57PROGRAM I THING THAT COMES T

2:34:58OMIND IS IT'S POSSIBLE THAT

2:34:59THEY EXPRESSED INTEREST AFTER

2:35:01THE COHORT BEGAN SO THERE WE

2:35:02WOULD NEED TO WAIT FOR THE NEW

2:35:04COHORT BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS

2:35:05WELCOME THAT IS OUR PRIORITY

2:35:09AND CANDIDLY ARE ONE OF OUR

2:35:11REASONS WHY WE WANTED TO HOST

2:35:14THIS PROGRAM AT THE BORDEN

2:35:15AVENUE

2:35:16.>>RESIDENCE THANK YOU ALL FOR

2:35:17YOUR

2:35:17.>>TIME OF MINOR QUESTIONS

2:35:18BRIEF BRIEF QUESTIONS I SHOULD

2:35:19SAY UM JUST ON THE BECAUSE IT

2:35:22WAS THE MOST GLARING ISSUE I

2:35:24OBSERVED WHEN I WAS THERE THE

2:35:25LEAKING AND THE TARPS

2:35:27COMMISSIONER DALTON INDICATED

2:35:28THAT THERE WERE ABOUT SEVEN

2:35:31BEDS THAT WERE OFFLINE AS A

2:35:32RESULT OF THE LEAKS UM IS THAT

2:35:35THE CASE AND IS THAT THE CASE

2:35:36EVEN WHEN THERE'S HEAVY RAINS

2:35:37AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

2:35:39>>YEAH I MEAN IT'S IMPORTANT

2:35:40FOR ME TO CLARIFY THAT THE

2:35:41CITY OWNS THE BUILDING AND IS

2:35:43RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

2:35:44.>>REPAIRS IN THE CAPITAL

2:35:45.>>YEAH THE CITY IS IN REGULAR

2:35:49TOUCH WITH US BEFORE AND AFTER

2:35:52EACH RAINFALL TO FIGURE OUT

2:35:53THE DIRECTION THAT THE RAIN IS

2:35:54LEAKING INTO THE FACILITY SO

2:35:58WE CAN ITERATE A PROCESS

2:35:59AROUND MAKING SURE THAT BEDS

2:36:01ARE OFF LINE SO THAT PEOPLE

2:36:02AREN'T IMPACTED BY THE RAIN

2:36:04CURRENTLY WE HAVE SEVEN UNITS

2:36:06OFFLINE IT'S POSSIBLE THAT

2:36:08THAT COULD FLUCTUATE BASED ON

2:36:09THE DIRECTION OF THE RAINFALL

2:36:11AND MOST IMPORTANTLY BASED ON

2:36:13THE REMEDIATION WORK THAT THE

2:36:14CITY IS DOING TO PATCH THE

2:36:17.>>ROOF IN YOUR TESTIMONY YOU

2:36:18SAID THAT.

2:36:20>>THERE'S 231 RESIDENTS WE'VE

2:36:23BEEN OPERATING UNDER A HUNDRED

2:36:2668 RESIDENT ASSUMPTION ARE

2:36:27THERE MORE RESIDENTS OR YEAH

2:36:29LET ME CLARIFY THAT AT

2:36:30CAPACITY IS FOR 231 PEOPLE

2:36:33RIGHT NOW WE ARE CURRENTLY

2:36:34SOUTH OF 200

2:36:35.>>GOT IT YOU YOU TALKED ABOUT

2:36:40147 VETERANS WHO MOVED INTO

2:36:43PERMANENT HOUSING LAST YEAR

2:36:44AND 111 SO FAR THIS YEAR

2:36:47THAT'S REALLY ENCOURAGING AND

2:36:49I COMMEND YOUR STAFF

2:36:49.>>I'D ALSO LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT

2:36:51THE VETERANS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN

2:36:53SUCCESSFULLY HAS

2:36:54.>>HOW MANY CURRENT RESIDENTS

2:36:56HAVE BEEN AT BORDEN AVENUE FOR

2:36:57MORE THAN A YEAR HOW MANY FOR

2:37:00MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND WHAT'S

2:37:02THE LONGEST ANYONE'S BEEN

2:37:03THERE FOR FOR THE LONG STAYING

2:37:05VETERANS ALSO WHAT'S THE

2:37:07SINGLE BIGGEST OBSTACLE FROM

2:37:08GETTING THEM INTO PERMANENT

2:37:09HOUSING I DON'T HAVE THE DATA

2:37:10YOU'RE ASKING FOR WITH RESPECT

2:37:12TO THE LONGEST STAYING

2:37:13.>>RESIDENT AND THOSE WHO HAVE

2:37:14BEEN HERE FOR

2:37:17.>>YES ABSOLUTELY LISTEN THERE

2:37:23THEY WANT TO BE SOME ARE

2:37:25RESTRICTIONS WITH RESPECT T

2:37:26OWHERE THEY CAN LIVE BASED ON

2:37:30SEX OFFENSE OR OTHER STATUS

2:37:32SOME ARE YOU KNOW WE WORK WITH

2:37:34CLIENTS WHO HAVE COMPLEX

2:37:37BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS AND

2:37:39PROFILES SO SOMETIMES WE'RE

2:37:41WORKING WITH PEOPLE OVER TIME

2:37:44IN MORE FOUNDATIONAL WAYS T

2:37:47OYOU KNOW HELP THEM ADVANCE

2:37:50CIRCLES AROUND TREATMENT HELP

2:37:51THEM SECURE THE DOCUMENTATION

2:37:52THEY NEED TO MOVE INTO HOUSING

2:37:54SO IT CAN BE AN ELABORATE

2:37:57PROCESS BUT ON AVERAGE PEOPLE

2:37:58MOVE OUT IN EIGHT MONTHS.

2:37:59>>GOT IT THANK YOU CHAIR

2:38:01HUDSON THANK YOU SO MUCH JUST

2:38:02A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AS WELL

2:38:05AND APOLOGIES IF YOU ALREADY

2:38:06MENTIONED THIS BUT WHEN DID

2:38:08ICL TAKE OVER THE CONTRACT AT

2:38:10BORDEN AVENUE 2008.

2:38:13>>2008 OK AND WHEN DID YOU

2:38:17FIRST NOTIFY OF THE ROOF

2:38:19ISSUES

2:38:20.>>I DON'T HAVE A DATE TO GIVE

2:38:21YOU BUT WE HAVE BEEN IN AN

2:38:24ONGOING PROTRACTED DISCUSSION

2:38:26OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS

2:38:27WITH THE CITY ABOUT THE ROOF

2:38:30AND THEY INFORMED US SOME

2:38:31NUMBER OF YEARS AGO THAT IT

2:38:32WAS IN THE CITY'S CAPITAL PLAN S

2:38:37BACK TO 2008 I I WOULD BE HARD

2:38:41PRESSED TO SAY THAT BUT IT HAS

2:38:44CERTAINLY BEEN MET AND ONGOING

2:38:47TOPIC FOR MANY MANY MANY YEARS D

2:38:51BACK IT WELL HAVE DATED BACK

2:38:52THAT FAR I JUST DON'T KNOW OK.

2:38:54>>THAT'S FAIR THANK YOU AND

2:38:56THEN WHEN DID I FIRST NOTIFY

2:38:59REGARDING CONCERNS WITH THE

2:39:01SHOWER SHOWER FACILITIES AND

2:39:02PRIVACY CONDITIONS YES

2:39:04SIMILARLY THIS HAS BEEN AN

2:39:06ONGOING CONVERSATION OVER AN

2:39:08EXTENDED PERIOD WE AS YOU CAN

2:39:13IMAGINE WERE OUR PARTNER AND

2:39:15OUR COLLABORATOR AND WE ALSO

2:39:16WON FEATURE OF OUR

2:39:18RELATIONSHIP AND THIS IS NOT

2:39:19UNIQUE TO IKE AND BORDEN IT'S

2:39:21THE CASE ACROSS OUR PORTFOLIO

2:39:23OF SHELTERS I IMAGINE MY

2:39:24COLLEAGUES WOULD SAY IT'S THE

2:39:26CASE FOR THEM ADVOCATING

2:39:29RAISING CHALLENGES AND

2:39:30ADVOCATING FOR MORE RESOURCES

2:39:31FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AS A

2:39:33PERMANENT FEATURE OF OUR

2:39:34RELATIONSHIP SO IN BOTH THE

2:39:36CASE OF THE SHOWERS AND THE

2:39:37ROOF THESE HAVE BEEN ONGOING

2:39:40CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE PLAYED

2:39:42OUT OVER OVER TIME AND WHEN

2:39:44WERE YOU NOTIFIED OF UM THAT

2:39:47THE FUNDING WAS SECURED FOR

2:39:49BOTH THE ROOF AND SHOWER

2:39:52IMPROVEMENTS

2:39:52.>>WE HAD WE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED

2:39:55IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS

2:39:57THAT THE ROOF WAS IN THE

2:39:58CAPITAL PLAN WE DID NOT KNOW

2:40:00THE FUNDING AMOUNT AND WE DID

2:40:02NOT KNOW THE TIMEFRAME UNTIL

2:40:04THE LAST MANY WEEKS OK AND THE

2:40:08SHOWERS TO OUR NEW NEED WAS

2:40:09APPROVED TO HIRE THE VENDOR IN

2:40:12THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS

2:40:14.>>OKAY AND SORRY I HAVE ONE

2:40:21LAST QUESTION W AH WHAT

2:40:22CATEGORIES OF REPAIRS OR

2:40:24FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS CAN I

2:40:25AUTHORIZE AND COMPLETE

2:40:28INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT PRIOR OR

2:40:31APPROVAL

2:40:31.>>YEAH YOU KNOW BECAUSE IT'S

2:40:33THEIR BUILDING WE TELL THEM WE

2:40:36BRING ALL PHYSICAL PLANT

2:40:37ISSUES TO THEM AND THEN THERE

2:40:40ARE MORE SUPERFICIAL THINGS

2:40:43THAT WE THAT THEY ALLOW US T

2:40:45ODO ON OUR OWN JUST GIVE US

2:40:47SOME

2:40:48.>>EXAMPLES YOU US SOME

2:40:48EXAMPLES YOU KNOW I'LL GIVE

2:40:49YOU AN EXAMPLE WE WERE LIKE WE

2:40:51WANT TO HANG SHOWER CURTAIN

2:40:53RODS RIGHT NOW IN THE BATHROOM E

2:40:57WE HAVE SOME STRUCTURAL

2:40:58CONCERNS ABOUT THAT LET'S GO

2:40:59THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF

2:41:00GETTING BIDS AND SO WE FIGURED

2:41:01OUT HOW WE COULD EXPEDITED AND

2:41:04PLAN TO HAVE IT IT DONE BY THE

2:41:04END OF THE YEAR BUT THEY

2:41:08INTERCEDE THEY HAVE CAPITAL

2:41:10EXPERTS THAT WE DON'T IT'S

2:41:12THEIR BUILDING THEY KNOW IT

2:41:13BETTER THAN WE DO FROM A

2:41:16CAPITAL STANDPOINT YOU KNOW I

2:41:19WOULD BE GUESSING I WANT T

2:41:20OSAY PAINTING AND SOME

2:41:22SUPERFICIAL THINGS LIKE THAT

2:41:23MIGHT BE IN OUR PURVIEW BUT I

2:41:24NEED TO I NEED TO BE CLEAR

2:41:25THAT THAT'S A GUESS

2:41:27.>>OK THANK YOU THANK YOU CHAIR

2:41:29.>>THANK YOU OH I APOLOGIZE I

2:41:33DIDN'T REALIZE I WASN'T TOLD

2:41:34YOU HAD A QUESTION.

2:41:36>>HANG TIGHT COUNCIL ONE BIG

2:41:40QUESTIONS YEAH JODY RUDIN

2:41:40.>>YOU'RE BASED OUT OF 125

2:41:43BROAD.

2:41:44>>STREET IS THAT RIGHT YES HOW

2:41:46OFTEN DO YOU VISIT THE BOY THE

2:41:48BORDEN AVENUE FACILITY.

2:41:52>>MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR IT

2:41:55DEPENDS SOME YEARS I'VE BEEN

2:41:56THERE A DOZEN TIMES SOME YEARS T

2:42:00.>>VARIES WHEN WAS YOUR LAST

2:42:03VISIT.

2:42:04>>LAST NIGHT OKAY.

2:42:05>>OKAY SO I HAVE TO QUESTIONS

2:42:07UM CAN I WHEN I WAS THERE WITH

2:42:10COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE WAN

2:42:11.>>WERE RESIDENTS THERE TOLD ME

2:42:12THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE

2:42:15COMPUTERS AND NO ACCIDENTS A

2:42:16LIBRARY AND THAT THERE'S A

2:42:17GENTLEMAN THAT WALKED OUT A

2:42:20COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO BEFORE

2:42:21YOU TESTIFIED THAT THEY STILL

2:42:22HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE

2:42:25COMPUTERS NOW IS IS MY

2:42:26UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PART OF

2:42:27THE CONTRACT IS TO HAVE

2:42:29COMPUTERS THERE SO VETERANS

2:42:30COULD USE THEM SO CAN YOU TELL

2:42:32ME WHY THAT THEY ARE

2:42:34.>>CANNOT THEY HAVE NO ACCESS.

2:42:37>>ABSOLUTELY AND I APPRECIATE

2:42:38YOUR QUESTION AND WE ENJOYED

2:42:40WHAT I THINK WAS AN ENORMOUSLY

2:42:45PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH

2:42:47COUNCILMEMBER HOLDEN AND WE

2:42:48ARE EVER GRATEFUL FOR HIS

2:42:50INVESTMENTS IN THE FACILITY

2:42:51INCLUDING AT THE LIBRARY THE

2:42:54LIBRARY IS OPEN ON A 24 SEVEN

2:42:56BASIS THERE BE SOME SPECIFIC

2:42:59EXCEPTIONS TO THAT IF WE'RE IF

2:43:01THERE'S A MEETING OR IF WE'RE

2:43:03HOSTING VISITORS BUT ON THE

2:43:05ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS

2:43:07IT'S OPEN ON A 24 SEVEN BASIS

2:43:09THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW THINGS

2:43:11THAT YOU'VE SAID OR THAT I'VE

2:43:12HEARD ON THE PANEL THAT JUST

2:43:15AREN'T TRUE AND I WOULD LOVE

2:43:18EARLY I WOULD WELCOME A

2:43:20RELATIONSHIP WHERE YOU'RE

2:43:21BRINGING THOSE ISSUES TO US SO

2:43:22WE CAN FIGURE OUT THE SOURCE

2:43:24OF THE OUR MISUNDERSTANDING

2:43:25AND FIX IT IMMEDIATELY

2:43:26.>>SO THE RESIDENTS NOW HAVE

2:43:28FREE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY AND

2:43:30THE.

2:43:30>>COMPUTERS IS THAT RIGHT

2:43:32ABSOLUTELY AND HEARING THAT

2:43:33THIS HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF

2:43:35MISUNDERSTANDING WOLF POST

2:43:36FLYERS JUST TO CLARIFY THE

2:43:38.>>HOURS OK FINALLY

2:43:41.>>I RAISED THE QUESTION BEFORE.

2:43:42>>HOW COME THE CULINARY SCHOOL

2:43:45COULD USE

2:43:45.>>THE COOKING FACILITIES THEREE

2:43:48.>>VETERANS YEAH THANK YOU THIS

2:43:49WAS ANOTHER POINT I WANTED T

2:43:50OCLARIFY SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR

2:43:52THE QUESTION SO THE CULINARY

2:43:54ARTS TRAINING PROGRAM HAS

2:43:56COHORTS OF 20 PEOPLE AT A

2:43:58GIVEN TIME THAT NUMBER IS

2:43:59DETERMINED BASED ON THE SIZE

2:44:00OF THE KITCHEN AND HOW MANY

2:44:01PEOPLE CAN COMFORTABLY FIT

2:44:03THERE IS NO CAP ON THE NUMBER

2:44:05OF PEOPLE WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

2:44:08IN OF NUMBER OF VETERANS WHO

2:44:08CAN PARTICIPATE FROM BORDEN IF

2:44:11WE HAD OUR DRUTHERS ALL 2

2:44:120WOULD PARTICIPATE FROM BORDEN

2:44:14IN THIS CURRENT CYCLE WE DON'T

2:44:16HAVE ANY VETERANS FROM BORDEN

2:44:17AND THE COHORT SO WE WOULD

2:44:20LOVE YOUR SUPPORT IN DRUMMING

2:44:25COOKED COOKING CLASSES ARE NOT

2:44:26IN SESSION

2:44:26.>>HOW COME THE VETERANS HAVE

2:44:29NO ACCESS TO THE FACILITY.

2:44:31>>TO COOK FOOD OR EAT OR TO

2:44:33HEAT UP THEIR OWN FOOD BECAUSE

2:44:34THEY ARE HUNGRY.

2:44:36>>YEAH SO I THINK ACTUALLY

2:44:38BOTH CHAIR HUDSON AND OUR

2:44:40COLLEAGUE FROM SONJA RUSSELL

2:44:42CLARIFIED IT IS NOT CUSTOMARY

2:44:44FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN

2:44:46SHELTERS TO ACCESS THE

2:44:47COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FOR THEIR

2:44:49COOKING USE IT IS INCUMBENT

2:44:51UPON US.

2:44:52>>TO PROVIDE THEM THREE MEALS

2:44:54A DAY CONSISTENT WITH THE NEW

2:44:55YORK CITY FOOD AND NUTRITION

2:44:58STANDARDS SO I'VE NEVER HEARD

2:45:01OF A SCENARIO WHERE PEOPLE

2:45:02LIVING IN THE RESIDENCE WOULD

2:45:04ACCESS THE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN

2:45:05NOW NOW WE HAVE HEARD FEEDBACK

2:45:07ON CAN WE HAVE AN AIR FRYER

2:45:10CAN WE HAVE MORE MICROWAVES

2:45:11AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT

2:45:12WE'RE WORKING ON BRINGING INTO

2:45:13THE INTO THE CAFETERIA SO THAT

2:45:16PEOPLE CAN HAVE MORE AUTONOMY

2:45:18AROUND BRINGING IN FOOD

2:45:19HEATING UP FOOD BUT IT'S NOT

2:45:22TRADITIONAL PRACTICE TO LET

2:45:23PEOPLE GAIN ACCESS TO THE

2:45:25COMMERCIAL KITCHEN WHERE

2:45:26THERE'S ALL SORTS OF

2:45:28MECHANICALS THAT THEY OR NOT

2:45:29KNOW HOW TO USE AND WOULD

2:45:31INTRODUCE I THINK HEALTH AND

2:45:33SAFETY CONCERNS THANK YOU I'LL

2:45:34BE IN TOUCH

2:45:36.>>YEAH ABSOLUTELY I GENUINELY

2:45:38LOOK FORWARD TO IT THANK

2:45:38.>>YOU THANK YOU CHAIR THANK

2:45:40YOU MISS FOSTER THANK YOU FOR

2:45:42YOUR PATIENCE.

2:45:43>>GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR HUDSON

2:45:45AND CHAIR MORENO AND MEMBERS

2:45:47OF THE GENERAL WELFARE

2:45:48VETERANS VETERANS AFFAIRS

2:45:49COMMITTEE MY NAME IS ANNE

2:45:50MARIE FOSTER I'M THE PRESIDENT

2:45:53OF PHOENIX HOUSE OF NEW YORK

2:45:54AND LONG ISLAND AND I'M HERE

2:45:56TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE

2:45:57IMPORTANCE OF VETERANS

2:45:59SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND OUR

2:45:59COLLABORATION WITH THE BORDEN

2:46:01AVENUE SHELTER PHOENIX HOUSE

2:46:02HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 19 67 WE

2:46:05HELPED NEW YORK ER'S WE HAVE

2:46:06HELPED THOUSANDS OF NEW

2:46:09YORKERS OF PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE

2:46:10WITH SUBSTANCE USE INDIVIDUALS

2:46:13WHO ARE VETERANS AND THEY

2:46:14ALCOHOL ABUSE AND WE HELP THEM

2:46:16LEAD HEALTHY AND WHAT WE CALL

2:46:18REWARDING LIVES PHOENIX HOUSE

2:46:21ALSO RUNS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS

2:46:24SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS IT

2:46:25IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE CITY R

2:46:29AGENCIES THAT DO THE SAME FOR

2:46:32RESIDENTIAL AND OUTPATIENT

2:46:33SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS

2:46:34RIGHT NOW HAS BEEN SAID

2:46:35PREVIOUSLY NEW YORK CITY IS

2:46:36ONLY SPENDING MILLIONS ON

2:46:37SERVICES FOR HOMELESS

2:46:39COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EVEN AS

2:46:41MORE NEW YORKERS ARE SLEEPING

2:46:42ON THE STREETS

2:46:43.>>THAN EVER BEFORE THAT FIGURE

2:46:45INCLUDES ABOUT 625 HOMELES

2:46:49SVETERANS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

2:46:52CHALLENGES TOUCH NEW YORKERS

2:46:52ACROSS EVERY HOUSING STATUS

2:46:55BUT STATE SUGGEST THAT UP T

2:46:59O10% OF RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING

2:47:00HOMELESSNESS ALSO LIVED WITH A

2:47:03SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND

2:47:04SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND FOR

2:47:06VETERANS WHO ALSO CARRY THE

2:47:07EFFECTS OF SERVICE RELATED

2:47:09TRAUMA THOSE NEEDS CAN BE

2:47:12ESPECIALLY ACUTE HOUSING IS

2:47:13ESSENTIAL BUT FOR MANY

2:47:15VETERANS IT IS NOT ENOUGH ON

2:47:17ITS OWN WITHOUT TREATMENT FOR

2:47:19THE CONDITIONS THAT OFTEN

2:47:21ACCOMPANY OR CONTRIBUTE T

2:47:23OHOMELESSNESS PEOPLE STRUGGLE

2:47:25TO STABILIZE KEEP THEIR

2:47:25HOUSING AND MOVE FORWARD

2:47:27.>>TOO OFTEN THE PATHWAYS

2:47:31BETWEEN SHELTER OUTREACH

2:47:33VETERANS SERVICES AND

2:47:34BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ARE

2:47:36FRAGMENTED AND A VETERAN WHO

2:47:37IS READY FOR CARE CAN WAIT TOO

2:47:39LONG OR FALL THROUGH THE

2:47:40CRACKS BETWEEN SYSTEMS THAT IS

2:47:43WHY VETERANS SPECIFIC CARE

2:47:45MATTERS AND THAT IS WHAT WE

2:47:46SEE WHEN WE WORK WITH THE

2:47:47CLIENTS THAT COME FROM BORDEN

2:47:49AVENUE WE WORK WITH IKE LOWE'S

2:47:51TEAM TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS AT

2:47:53BOREDOM WITH HOLISTIC

2:47:54PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON THE

2:47:55UNIQUE NEEDS OF VETERANS

2:47:57SEEKING TREATMENT WE HAVE A

2:48:00SPECIALIZED TEAM OF EXPERTS

2:48:01AND MEDICAL STAFF DEDICATED TO

2:48:03PROVIDING TRAUMA FOCUSED

2:48:04TREATMENT INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL

2:48:06COUNSELING GROUP COUNSELING

2:48:08SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL

2:48:10ACTIVITIES AND SKILL

2:48:11DEVELOPMENT THESE SERVICES ARE

2:48:12LOCATED AT HOUR LONG ISLAND

2:48:15CITY OUTPATIENT RESIDENTIAL

2:48:17PROGRAM AND OUR EXPERIENCE

2:48:18SHOWS THAT PROGRAMS DESIGNED

2:48:19SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS WORK

2:48:20THE BEST WE ARE BOTH ABLE TO

2:48:23DELIVER SERVICES TO OUR

2:48:24VETERANS BECAUSE OF SUPPORT

2:48:25FROM THE STATE WE ARE

2:48:27CONTRACTED TO STATE OASIS AND

2:48:30CITY INVESTMENT DOLLARS FROM

2:48:31LIKE OUR OPIOID SETTLEMENT

2:48:33PARTNERS AND FEDERAL DOLLARS

2:48:34FROM OUR SWORD GRANTS AND

2:48:37THESE EVENTS INVESTMENTS THE

2:48:37CITY MAKES THEM BOARD IN OUR

2:48:39CRITICAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF

2:48:40THE PEOPLE WHO RESIDE THERE

2:48:42AGAIN WE SAID IT BEFORE OUR

2:48:44VETERANS PUT THEIR LIVES ON

2:48:45THE LINE TO PROTECT US WE OWE

2:48:47IT TO THEM TO DO OUR BEST T

2:48:48OSUPPORT THEM IN THEIR RECOVERY

2:48:49AND THE WORK THAT IS HAPPENING

2:48:52AT PHOENIX HOUSE AND

2:48:54PARTNERING WITH AGENCIES LIKE

2:48:56BORDEN CAN HELP CONNECT OUR

2:48:58VETERANS TO THE SERVICES THAT

2:48:59THEY NEED SO THANK YOU FOR

2:49:00CONSIDERING MY TESTIMONY

2:49:01.>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALL

2:49:03RIGHT AT THIS POINT WE'LL CALL

2:49:07UP OUR NEXT PANEL CARMELO

2:49:10STUART STUART CHARLES A WARNER

2:49:14PHILIP VENTE CHING RODNEY

2:49:19MATTHEW WEST AND ROBERT POLES

2:49:21COME ON DOWN AND IF LEROY

2:49:25BELTON IS HERE WE'D BE HAPPY

2:49:27TO HEAR FROM HIM HE WAS PART

2:49:28OF OUR FIRST PANEL BUT I DON'T

2:49:30KNOW IF HE HAD TO STEP OUT OR

2:49:31HE HAD TO GO BUT BELTON IF

2:49:33YOU'RE AROUND COME ON DOWN BUT

2:49:35IF YOU'RE NOT AROUND THEN

2:49:36WE'LL HEAR FROM STUART WARNER

2:50:13AND POLES ALL RIGHTMS WEF

2:50:13IRRESPECTIVE OF THE ORDER THAT

2:50:14I CALLED YOU AND WHY DON'T WE

2:50:16BEGIN WITH POLLS AND THEN

2:50:17WE'LL GO WE'LL GO LEFT TO

2:50:19RIGHT AND JUST ANNOUNCE YOUR

2:50:20NAME FOR THE RECORD AND YOU

2:50:23CAN BEGIN YOUR.

2:50:24>>TESTIMONY ARE YOU ON THE

2:50:25PANEL THAT I JUST CALLED

2:50:26PLEASE HAVE A SEAT FEEL FREE

2:50:30RIGHT THERE SO NOW HE SCREWED

2:50:31UP MY LEFT TO RIGHT YEAH

2:50:35OPERANDI

2:50:35.>>ON START OKAY OKAY ALL ALL

2:50:38RIGHT MATTER WHAT ORDER I

2:50:39CALLED YOUR NAME WE'LL GO

2:50:41POLES AND THEN WE'LL GO LEFT

2:50:43TO RIGHT AND THEN DOUBLE BACK

2:50:45OKAY GO AHEAD

2:50:46.>>GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS

2:50:50ROBERT POLLS I AM AN

2:50:51INDEPENDENT VETERAN'S ADVOCATE E

2:50:58PARTICIPANTS HERE TODAY MY

2:51:01INTENTIONS TODAY WAS TO RELY

2:51:05UPON THE VA DETERMINATION OF

2:51:08THE ACTUAL REPORT FROM THE VA

2:51:10AND HOW ALSO COUNT OF

2:51:13COMMUNICATED WITH THE VA GPD

2:51:17OFFICE NEITHER ARE WILLING T

2:51:18OPROVIDE ANY REPORT REGARDING

2:51:21THE REDUCTION OF FUNDING OF

2:51:27F O I A

2:51:27.>>WHICH IS CURRENTLY NOT

2:51:30AVAILABLE MY INFORMATION IS

2:51:32THAT THE INFORMATION FROM

2:51:34EITHER OFFICE WILL NOT BE

2:51:38AVAILABLE UNTIL ON THE OTHER

2:51:40ISSUE THAT I HAD WAS NEW YORK

2:51:46CITY ODD D DEDICATED RESIDENTS

2:51:54FOR WOMEN'S ISSUE WHICH IS A

2:51:54MINOR ISSUE HERE BUT IT'S BEEN

2:51:57A LARGE ONE ON AUGUST 24 I

2:52:03DISTRIBUTED AN INTRODUCTORY

2:52:06PROPOSAL AGAIN UM NOT HAVING

2:52:08THE INFORMATION WHICH I'VE

2:52:10RECEIVED HERE TODAY WITH MY

2:52:12GOD TO OUR AUNTS AND ALSO S

2:52:19END DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED

2:52:20TODAY AH I WILL REFRAINED FROM

2:52:24OUR PRESENTING UNTIL I HAVE

2:52:27SOME SPECIFIC STATISTICAL AND

2:52:30ACTUAL REPORTS PARTICULARLY

2:52:33THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF IT UM THE

2:52:37THE ACCESS TO BORDEN AVENUE BY

2:52:42THE COUNCIL OF NEW

2:52:43.>>YORK AS WELL AS VIA SOULS

2:52:46AND OTHER ISSUES BECAUSE THAT

2:52:47HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM I'D

2:52:49LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE BY.

2:52:52>>THANK YOU SIR

2:52:54.>>YEP GO AHEAD WE'RE GOING T

2:52:56OPOOP CLOSE TO THE MIC IF YOU

2:53:01WOULD THERE YOU GO.

2:53:02>>GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND

2:53:03GENTLEMEN MY NAME IS RODNEY

2:53:05SILAS I'M GOING TO START WITH

2:53:07ALL PRAISES IS DUE TO ALLAH

2:53:09FIRST OF ALL I LIKE TO DR

2:53:13CLEOPATRA BROWN DONNIE SMALLS

2:53:17DENISE CARBIN SEN AND UM I WAS

2:53:22DISPLACED NOVEMBER 2025 BY OF

2:53:25THIS YEAR I HAVE MY OWN

2:53:27APARTMENT NOW AND I'M GRATEFUL Y

2:53:32BUSINESS AND THEY TOOK VERY

2:53:33GOOD CARE OF ME NOW ARM I ALSO

2:53:36RECEIVED SERVICES FROM JAMES J D

2:53:41A MILITARY RELATED INJURY UM

2:53:47MY PROCESS I HANDLE MY

2:53:48BUSINESS AND THEY WENT BEYOND

2:53:49THE CALL OF DUTY TO HELP ME

2:53:52AND I'M GRATEFUL NO ARM I

2:53:55REALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY

2:53:56BECAUSE I GET EMOTIONAL YOU

2:53:58KNOW BECAUSE I'M I'VE NEVER

2:54:00BEEN IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS

2:54:05SO I THINK ALL WE ARE THAT'S

2:54:06ALL I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU

2:54:09THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR

2:54:12SHARING GO AHEAD SIR AH GOOD

2:54:17AFTERNOON UM MY NAME IS

2:54:19CHARLES WARNER UM.

2:54:21>>I'M A NAVY VET WHO WAS

2:54:23HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN MAY

2:54:262000 UM I CAME BACK HOME T

2:54:29ONEW YORK CITY TO DEAL WITH

2:54:31FAMILY ISSUES AND AND AS I

2:54:34BECAME A UNEMPLOYED IN ANOTHER

2:54:36STATE WHEN I CAME BACK TO NEW

2:54:37YORK I WAS IMMEDIATELY LOOKED

2:54:40INTO THE PROCESS OF HOW HOW T

2:54:42OGET TO GET MY OWN GET

2:54:44ESTABLISHED ON MY OWN FEET AND

2:54:46WHAT I'VE COME TO FIND OUT IS

2:54:49THAT YOU THAT I WAS ALREADY

2:54:52HOMELESS THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS

2:54:54LIVING IN NEW YORK BECAUSE I

2:54:55DIDN'T HAVE A PLACE OF MY OWN

2:54:57.>>ACCORDING TO.

2:55:01>>REGULATIONS SO LAWS OR

2:55:02WHATEVER THE STIPULATIONS WERE

2:55:05C THE REQUIREMENT TO GET

2:55:08SERVICES TO BECOME A HOUSE

2:55:11VETERAN MEANS THAT YOU HAVE T

2:55:15OBE DOCUMENTED AS NOT HAVING A

2:55:17RESIDENCE OF YOUR OWN YOU HAVE

2:55:19TO BE DOCUMENTED OF BEING ON

2:55:23THE STREET OR BEING IN A

2:55:25SHELTER I CAME BACK HERE IN OF

2:55:292009 AND I WAS LIVING IN MY

2:55:31PARENT'S HOME FROM FEBRUAR

2:55:34Y2009 UNTIL MY FATHER'S DEATH

2:55:40THREE YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF

2:55:43THAT

2:55:43.>>I WAS TECHNICALLY HOMELESS

2:55:45BUT I WAS STILL IN A HOUSE

2:55:48BECAUSE AN AND UNATTAINABLE OF

2:55:52GETTING SERVICES BECAUSE I HAD

2:55:53A ROOF OVER MY HEAD BUT I WAS

2:55:56STILL HOMELESS SO I ACTUALLY

2:55:57HAD TO GO INTO

2:56:01.>>DIRE SITUATIONS WHERE I WILL

2:56:06ENDED UP GETTING EVICTED FROM

2:56:07THAT RESIDENCE BECAUSE THE

2:56:09INCOME I WAS GUARANTEED FROM

2:56:10MY JOB AS A SECURITY GUARD BY

2:56:14THE WAY AT HOMELESS SHELTERS

2:56:17FOR VETERANS I MEAN I HOMELESS

2:56:19HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR MIGRANTS T

2:56:25AFFORD MY OWN PLACE THAT I

2:56:28ENDED UP GOING FROM WORKING AS

2:56:30A SECURITY GUARD IN A SHELTER

2:56:35FOR MIGRANTS TO LIVE IN MY OWN

2:56:36SHELTER AS A VETERAN THAT'S AN

2:56:41OXYMORON AND THEN EVERY TIME I

2:56:45SPOKE TO A PERSON AT A L ABOUT

2:56:50MY PLAN TO GET OUT OF THE

2:56:55SHELTER SYSTEM.

2:56:56>>THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE

2:56:57PERSON INTERESTED IN WHAT MY

2:57:01PLAN WAS NO ONE IN THE ENTIRE

2:57:02TIME I WAS THERE FROM AUGUS

2:57:08TTO APRIL ASKED ME WHAT MY PLAN

2:57:11ACTUALLY WAS

2:57:11.>>I WOULD MY INITIAL

2:57:15CASEWORKER IT WAS A UM WAS NO

2:57:21LONGER WORKING THERE JUST A

2:57:24WEEK INTO THE TIME OF HELPING

2:57:27ME YOU KNOW FOR WHATEVER

2:57:30REASON HIS EMPLOYMENT THERE

2:57:31WAS TERMINATED AND HE WAS

2:57:34REPLACED AND I WAS ADDED T

2:57:36OTHE ITINERARY OF ANOTHER

2:57:40CASEWORKER WHO WAS FRANKLIN

2:57:42WAS BLATANTLY RUDE TO ME RIGHT

2:57:43FROM THE START BECAUSE OH WHAT

2:57:49IS THAT SHE APPARENTLY WAS

2:57:51LOOKING ALL OVER THE SHELTER

2:57:53FOR ME UNAWARE THAT I HAD A

2:57:56JOB THAT WAS NOT EARNING

2:57:57ENOUGH MONEY AS SECURITY.

2:58:01>>I WAS ALSO JUST STARTED BACK

2:58:03AS A PART TIME STUDENT T

2:58:06OCOMPLETE MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE

2:58:09AND AT THE SAME TIME I WAS

2:58:11ALSO INDEPENDENTLY LOOKING FOR

2:58:12A PLACE TO LIVE AND SHE WAS

2:58:14EXPECTING ME TO STAY IN THE

2:58:19SHELTER WAITING FOR WHATEVE

2:58:20RSERVICES BECAUSE SHE SAYS SHE

2:58:21WAS LOOKING ALL OVER FOR ME

2:58:23MAILING YOU I HAD A CELL PHONE

2:58:29THEY HAD ALL OF THIS CONTACT

2:58:30INFORMATION BUT SHE COULD NOT

2:58:32FIND ME BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T SEE

2:58:34ME IN MY CUBICLE ALSO SHE MADE

2:58:38IT BLATANTLY CLEAR WHENEVER

2:58:39SHE HAD AN ISSUE WITH ME TO G

2:58:41OPUBLIC WITH IT BECAUSE SHE

2:58:42WILL HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS

2:58:46WITH ME RIGHT THERE AT THE

2:58:48SECURITY ENTRANCE BUT WHEN I

2:58:49WHEN I'M IN THE BACK OFFICE

2:58:54AND SPEAKING UP ABOUT THESE

2:58:56ISSUES UM I NEED TO QUIET DOWN

2:58:59BECAUSE PEOPLE MIGHT HEAR BUT

2:59:00SHE'S GOING TO BE BLATANT AND

2:59:02OBVIOUS RIGHT THERE IN THE

2:59:03DOORWAY WITH ME ALSO WHENEVER

2:59:06THE LAST TIME I DEALT DEALT

2:59:11WITH HER

2:59:11.>>HA HA COLD ONE OF OUR

2:59:14COLLEAGUES INTO MY MY ROOMING

2:59:17AREA AS A WITNESS AS IF I'M

2:59:19GOING TO GET HOSTILE BUT SHE'S

2:59:22THE ONE CAUSING THE HOSTILITY

2:59:26WARNER ONE THANK YOU FOR YOUR

2:59:27SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY A

2:59:29SECOND THANK YOU FOR BEING

2:59:30HERE TODAY I APPRECIATE YOU

2:59:32WAITING A COUPLE HOURS T

2:59:33OTESTIFY AND SHARE YOUR

2:59:35PERSPECTIVE AND I KNOW HOW

2:59:36DIFFICULT IT IS TO HOLD DOWN A

2:59:39JOB AND LOOK FOR HOUSING

2:59:42SIMULTANEOUSLY AND TO DO THAT

2:59:43WHILE YOU'RE IN THE

2:59:44CIRCUMSTANCES OF BEING IN THE

2:59:46SHELTER I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW

2:59:48CHALLENGING THAT THAT MUST

2:59:49HAVE BEEN FOR YOU AND I

2:59:50APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT

2:59:53PERSPECTIVE WITHOUT FURTHER

2:59:54MENTIONING ONE SPECIFI

2:59:56CCASEWORKER I'M WONDERING IF

2:59:58YOU CAN SPEAK TO HOW YOU MADE

3:00:00IT OUT OF THE SHELTER SYSTEM

3:00:03IN GENERAL AND IF WHAT YOU

3:00:07EXPERIENCED IS A RESULT OF ONE

3:00:10OR TWO BAD CASEWORKERS OR IF

3:00:11IT'S A SYSTEMIC.

3:00:12>>PROBLEM WITH IKE AND

3:00:15SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN

3:00:16IMPROVE UPON BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY

3:00:17IT DOESN'T DO YOU ANY GOOD IF

3:00:19YOU'RE ON THE RECEIVING END OF

3:00:20A POOR CASEWORKER BUT I'M

3:00:22WONDERING IF THERE'S A A

3:00:23SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT WE CAN

3:00:25TRY TO FIX TO MAKE SURE OTHERS

3:00:27AREN'T IN THE SAME POSITION

3:00:27THAT YOU WERE GOOD QUESTION UM N

3:00:32PART YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT

3:00:34ARE OVERSTRESSED FROM BEING

3:00:36TOO MUCH OF HAVING TOO MUCH OF

3:00:37A CASELOAD ANOTHER THING IS

3:00:39YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE THERE

3:00:41THAT AN OPEN MINDED TO HEARING

3:00:45YOUR SITUATION THIS PANEL IS

3:00:51HAS ABOUT UM ABOUT US BEING

3:00:54VETERANS AND OUR INDIVIDUAL

3:00:55SITUATIONS BEING DIFFERENT BUT

3:00:59THEY WANT TO HEAR SPECIFIC

3:01:03THINGS THAT THEY DON'T THEY'RE

3:01:05NOT WILLING TO HEAR THE

3:01:07SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE

3:01:08INDIVIDUAL THEY WANT T

3:01:11OCOLLECTIVELY UMBRELLA US ALL

3:01:12TOGETHER IN ONE SCENARIO.

3:01:15>>I ACTUALLY HAVE A SPECIFIC

3:01:18SCENARIO OF HOW I GOT INTO

3:01:19THIS SITUATION THAT I WAS IN

3:01:21SAME AS THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS

3:01:23RIGHT BESIDE ME HE HAD BUT

3:01:26QUICK WICK AND CLUMPED WE'RE

3:01:28CLUMPED TOGETHER IN THE SAME

3:01:30SCENARIO WHEN IT COMES TO

3:01:32RECEIVING.

3:01:32>>SERVICES AND YOU'RE IN

3:01:33PERMANENT HOUSING NOW YES

3:01:37THANK GOODNESS OK LET'S STAY

3:01:38IN TOUCH I'D LOVE TO STAY AND

3:01:40TOUCH EVEN OFFLINE AFTER THE

3:01:42HEARING ENDS THANK YOU VERY

3:01:43MUCH YES SIR GRAB A MICROPHONE

3:01:47AND PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF

3:01:49AND GET STARTED WHEN YOU'RE

3:01:51READY MY NAME IS MATT WEST I

3:01:54WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM

3:01:56THE AIR FORCE IN 2005 I HAD

3:02:01THE UNFORTUNATE FORTUNE OF

3:02:02ENDING UP AT THE BORDEN AVENUE

3:02:04AS THEY CALL IT VETERANS

3:02:06RESIDENTS WHICH I'D LIKE T

3:02:07OSTART RIGHT THERE AH THAT'S AN

3:02:10OPEN INSULT THE NAME OF THE

3:02:11FACILITY IT'S NOT A RESIDENCE

3:02:14AT BEST IT'S A HOLDING

3:02:16FACILITY IF I'M BEING HONEST

3:02:17ABOUT IT FEELS MUCH MORE LIKE

3:02:21A DETENTION FACILITY.

3:02:21>>YOU ASKED MY FELLOW VETERAN

3:02:23OVER HERE WHETHER IT WAS A

3:02:25COUPLE ISSUES OR SYSTEMIC.

3:02:28>>I LIKE THAT I CAN LOOK AT

3:02:29JODI RUDIN WHILE I SAY THIS IS

3:02:33DECIDEDLY SYSTEMIC YOUR

3:02:35ORGANIZATION'S IDEA OF WHAT

3:02:36CONSTITUTES ORGANIZATIONAL

3:02:39MANAGEMENT

3:02:39.>>IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE

3:02:40CONCEPT ITSELF THE PROBLEM IS

3:02:44FROM THE TOP DOWN AND IT'S

3:02:47JUST ROT EXPOSED AT EVERY

3:02:49LEVEL I HAVE MANAGEMENT

3:02:52EXPERIENCE UNFORTUNATELY FOR

3:02:53ME BECAUSE I CAN SEE GLARINGLY

3:02:55YOU SAY LACK OF OVERSIGHT LIKE T

3:03:00EVERY LEVEL THE THE ER AH

3:03:04LOWEST RANKED EMPLOYEES THERE

3:03:06IF YOU WILL THE BULK OF THE

3:03:09STAFF EFFECTIVELY OPERATES

3:03:11WITH NO SUPERVISION I COULDN'T

3:03:12TELL YOU WHAT THEY'RE DUTIES

3:03:13ARE SUPPOSED TO BE

3:03:16COLLECTIVELY THEY USED THEIR

3:03:19NUMBERS.

3:03:21>>TO ABSCOND FROM

3:03:22RESPONSIBILITY I CAN TELL YOU

3:03:22IF YOU WALKED INTO THAT

3:03:24FACILITY RIGHT NOW YOU

3:03:25WOULDN'T HAVE TO EVEN BE ABLE

3:03:26TO GET IN IF YOU JUST WENT IN

3:03:28THOSE DOUBLE GLASS DOORS AND

3:03:30LOOKED BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE

3:03:31DESK YOU KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE

3:03:35UH COUNSEL PERSON MORANO YOU

3:03:36CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN

3:03:38FRONT OF THE YOU KNOW BEYOND

3:03:40THE DOUBLE GLASS DOORS I CAN

3:03:42GUARANTEE YOU THERE ARE AT

3:03:42LEAST THREE OR FOUR PEOPL

3:03:44ESITTING IN THAT OFFICE BEHIND

3:03:46THE DESK SOCIALIZING DOING

3:03:47NOTHING AND THERE PROBABLY ALL

3:03:47SUPPOSED TO BE DOING SOMETHING

3:03:49.>>AND THERE'S NO MANAGEMENT

3:03:53NOBODY IS WATCHING THEM OR

3:03:54HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE AT

3:03:57ANY LEVEL FOR THEIR LACK OF

3:04:00DOING ANYTHING AND IT'S A

3:04:01COMPLETE EMBARRASSMENT IT'S A

3:04:03NIGHTMARE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

3:04:04.>>IN AN ORGANIZATIONAL SENSE

3:04:06THAT I WAS THERE LAST WEEK AT

3:04:09AT JULIE JOAN'S ATTEMPT I SAW

3:04:12COUNCIL PERSON WONG THERE AS

3:04:14WELL JULIE JOAN'S PITIFUL

3:04:15ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE FACILITY

3:04:17I SAY PITIFUL ATTEMPT BECAUSE

3:04:19BUT FROM WHAT I CAN GATHER IT

3:04:20WAS HER FIRST ATTEMPT SINCE

3:04:23SHE TOOK OFFICE I'M A I'M A

3:04:25VETERAN IF I'M SHOWING UP

3:04:27SOMEWHERE THAT I'M NOT A

3:04:28HUNDRED SURE I CAN JUST WALK

3:04:29RIGHT IN I'M GOING TO TEST

3:04:31THAT OUT BEFOREHAND SO IT'S A

3:04:32NOT TO AVOID THE EMBARRASSMENT

3:04:34THAT SHE WALKED RIGHT INTO

3:04:36THAT WAS REALLY EMBARRASSING

3:04:39FRANKLY AH.

3:04:39>>THAT YOU GUYS CAN'T JUST GET

3:04:40IT TOGETHER AND GET HER IN

3:04:42THERE WHENEVER SHE NEEDS T

3:04:44OSAYS A LOT HOW'S THAT I'LL LET

3:04:47THAT ONE SPEAK FOR ITSELF AND

3:04:48LET EVERYONE ELSE DRAW THEIR

3:04:51OWN CONCLUSIONS

3:04:52.>>AH IT'S A NIGHTMARE DO YOU

3:04:52WANT YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT

3:04:53THE CONDITIONS INSIDE THE

3:04:55FACILITY OUTSIDE OF THE

3:04:56OBVIOUS ONES THAT WE ALL HARP

3:04:58ON LIKE THE LEAKY ROOF IN THE

3:05:01KITCHEN YEAH WE'VE THOROUGHLY

3:05:03BEATEN THOSE HORSES AND THOSE

3:05:04NEED TO BE ADDRESSED HOW ABOUT

3:05:05THE FACT THERE ARE NO WINDOWS

3:05:08IN THE FACILITY IT'S A

3:05:10RESIDENCE RIGHT OH THERE ARE

3:05:11WINDOWS THAT RUN AROUND THE

3:05:11TOP OF THE THAT'S NOT IT'S NOT

3:05:14A LIVING SPACE IT'S A

3:05:15WAREHOUSE OR IT WAS A

3:05:18MANUFACTURING FACILITY POORLY

3:05:19REPURPOSED

3:05:20.>>THOSE CELLS THAT'S A ROOM

3:05:21FOR A HUMAN TO LIVE IN ARE YOU

3:05:24KIDDING ME NINE BY SIX YEAH

3:05:31CHIAE WAN DID TALK T

3:05:31.>>USE SOME OF THE INFORMATION

3:05:33THAT SHE GLEANED FROM OUR

3:05:35CONVERSATION WHEN SHE SPOKE TO

3:05:38THE PRESS SHE BROUGHT UP THE

3:05:39FACT THAT

3:05:41.>>OURSELVES WERE SMALLER THEN

3:05:43IS ALLOWABLE ON BY LAW FOR NEW

3:05:46YORK STATE PRISONS OH YEAH SHE

3:05:47JUST PULLED THAT OUT OF

3:05:48NOWHERE SHE TOOK THAT FROM ME

3:05:50I GAVE HER THE NUMBERS NINE BY

3:05:53SIX GREAT SHE GOT A SOUND BITE K

3:05:57IN TO DESCRIBE THE CONDITIONS.

3:06:00>>UH TO ANYONE WHO'S NOT AH

3:06:02CULTURALLY LAY UP TO SPEED

3:06:04THAT'S A REFERENCE TO THE WIRE .

3:06:12>>SCOTT TEMPLETON THE LYING

3:06:14REPORTER WHO FABRICATES HIS

3:06:16STORY TO ADD TO HIS OWN

3:06:19LARGESSE USES THE TERM DICK IN T

3:06:22OHIS EDITOR AND EDITOR HIS

3:06:24EDITOR FAWNS OVER THE TERM OH

3:06:26YES EMPHASIZED THE DICK IN NOW T

3:06:30SCENE IS TO ILLUSTRATE THAT

3:06:34POLITICIANS LIKE OR THE PEOPLE

3:06:36IN CHARGE LIKE TO SIT THERE

3:06:37AND VERBALLY PAT THEMSELVES ON

3:06:38THE BACK AND THEIR EFFORTS

3:06:41WELL COMPLETELY MISSING THE

3:06:43POINT DICKENSIAN INDEED AND

3:06:44STILL NO PROGRESS.

3:06:47>>YA DICKENSIAN ROOM WITHOUT

3:06:49WINDOWS AND CEILINGS DO YOU

3:06:50KNOW WHAT THE SOUND

3:06:52ENVIRONMENT IS LIKE IN A TIN

3:06:53BOX LIKE THAT YOU CAN HEAR

3:06:55EVERYTHING WITHIN A 50 FOOT

3:06:58RADIUS

3:06:59.>>IT ECHOES THE SPECIFIC ISSUE

3:07:01THAT I HAD DURING MY TIME THAT

3:07:03I DID NOT HAVE ONE NIGHT OF

3:07:04DECENT SLEEP IN THAT FACILITY

3:07:07SIX MONTHS STRAIGHT OF SLEEP

3:07:10DEPRIVATION THAT'S BEYOND

3:07:11INHUMANE THAT'S ABUSIVE

3:07:13THERE'S A LAWSUIT FORTHCOMING

3:07:14BECAUSE I HAVE RECEIPTS I

3:07:17CONTACTED JULIE JOAN'S OFFICE

3:07:19I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE RULES

3:07:21THAT I SIGNED OFF I HAVE

3:07:22RECEIPTS ON ALL

3:07:23.>>THIS BY THE WAY WEB ONE I'M

3:07:26VERY SORRY FOR YOUR.

3:07:28>>EXPERIENCE I DON'T ACCEPT

3:07:29YOUR APOLOGY I APPRECIATE THE

3:07:30.>>SENTIMENTS TOO I APPRECIATE

3:07:32YOUR SERVICE VERY MUCH THANK

3:07:33YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN THE

3:07:34AIR FORCE PERCENT UM IF YOU'RE

3:07:36SITTING WHERE WE'RE SITTING

3:07:37.>>I THINK EVERYBODY HERE

3:07:40REALLY WANTS TO IMPROVE

3:07:44CONDITIONS WHAT'S THE FIRST

3:07:45ITEM THAT SHOULD BE ON OUR

3:07:46AGENDA WHAT SHOULD WE DO THIS

3:07:53IS THE SUGGESTION THAT I HAD I

3:07:55HAD A GOOD ANSWER FOR THAT AND

3:07:57I'M ALMOST LOATH TO GIVE IT

3:07:59NOW AFTER HAVING SHOWN UP AND

3:08:01WITNESSED THESE PROCEEDINGS

3:08:02I'LL STILL GIVE THE

3:08:04RECOMMENDATIONS BUT I DON'T

3:08:05THINK I'LL ATTACH MY NAME T

3:08:06OIT OR VOLUNTEER OR VOLUNTEER

3:08:10MYSELF YOU NEED A VETERAN PAID

3:08:13ON STAFF WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH

3:08:16THIS WHO KNOWS THE ISSUE FROM

3:08:17BOTH SIDES WHO CAN REPORT.

3:08:19>>NOT ONLY TO YOU BUT TO THE

3:08:22PUBLIC WHO CAN MAKE THE PUBLIC

3:08:24AWARE OF THIS WHOLE ISSUE NOT

3:08:27ONLY ALL THE MALFEASANCE AND

3:08:29DETERIORATION THAT'S GOING ON

3:08:30BUT HEY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY

3:08:32FOR GOOD FOR YOU GUYS TOO

3:08:33RIGHT YEAH

3:08:34.>>YEAH YEAH YEAH THANK YOU

3:08:35.>>WES YEAH YOU'RE VERY WELCOMET

3:08:40POSITION BUT AGAIN MY

3:08:43QUALIFIER LIKE OKAY HOW'S THIS

3:08:46COUNCIL PERSON MURANO YEAH

3:08:48EARLIER AT SOME POINT YOU SAID

3:08:50YOU'VE BEEN ACCUSED OF

3:08:53GRANDSTANDING BEFORE OH REALLY T

3:08:56THROUGH IT.

3:08:56>>HALF AN HOUR OF THANK YOU'S

3:08:58AND HELLO H'S AND

3:09:00CONGRATULATIONS SO EVERYONE

3:09:01CAN HEAR THEIR NAME BOY WE

3:09:04LIVE ON GRAND STANDING AROUND

3:09:05HERE HUH THAT WOULD NEVER FLY

3:09:06IN THE MILITARY WE DON'T HAVE

3:09:08A HALF AN HOUR FOR THAT.

3:09:11>>WEATHER I UNDERSTAND

3:09:12POLITICS I HOPE WE CAN STAY IN

3:09:13TOUCH I DO WANT TO GET T

3:09:15OTHESE OTHER OTHER PANELS OKAY

3:09:17SO WHEN I SEE WHAT'S GOING ON

3:09:19HERE PARDON I'LL GIVE YOU MY

3:09:20NUMBER AND MY EMAIL AND WE'LL

3:09:21SEE I GET CUT OFF HERE WELL

3:09:24YES THIS THE GRAPH YEAH WE'RE

3:09:26GIVING EVERYBODY FIVE MINUTES

3:09:28SO THAT WAS FIVE MINUTES

3:09:29ALREADY IT WAS ABOUT 10

3:09:31MINUTES BUT WE ARE GIVING

3:09:32EVERYBODY FIVE MINUTES TO TRY

3:09:33TO ACCOMMODATE AND IT FELT

3:09:34LIKE IT TOOK A COUPLE HOURS

3:09:36WAITING TO GET I APPRECIATE IT R

3:09:38ANYONE ELSE THIS TIME VERY

3:09:40FLEXIBLE WITH THE TIME.

3:09:42>>THANK YOU SIR AND THANK YOU

3:09:43FOR YOUR SERVICE

3:09:44.>>THANK YOU GENTLEMEN FOR YOUR

3:09:46PERSPECTIVE AND FOR YOUR

3:09:48TESTIMONY.

3:09:48>>ALL RIGHT AT THIS POINT WE

3:09:50WILL CALL UP THE NEXT PANEL

3:09:53THIS IS A PANEL OF PROVIDERS

3:09:57LET ME WELCOME KRISTEN MILLER

3:10:00GRAHAM HORNE

3:10:01.>>COCO CULLEN E AND DEREK

3:10:04.>>COY AND I WOULD JUST ASK

3:10:06IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT YOU TALK

3:10:07ABOUT I ACTUALLY AM 01:00 OF

3:10:08THE FEW PEOPLE THAT STILL

3:10:10HAVEN'T SEEN THE WIRE SO IF

3:10:13YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE AWAY ANY

3:10:16PLOT POINTS FROM ANY OF THE

3:10:18SEASONS OF TELEVISION SHOWS I

3:10:20WOULD JUST APPRECIATE IT IF

3:10:20YOU WOULD SAY SPOILER ALERT

3:10:22BEFORE DOING SO IRRESPECTIVE

3:10:24OF THE SHOW EVEN IF IT'S A

3:10:25SHOW YOU ASSUME EVERYBODY HAS

3:10:27SEEN ALL RIGHT SO WHY DON'T WE

3:10:29GO WE'LL GO LEFT TO RIGHT

3:10:31WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU PLEASE

3:10:33IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND GET

3:10:37STARTED GOOD AFTERNOON THANK

3:10:37YOU FOR HOLDING THIS HEARING I

3:10:38JUST TURN YOUR MIC ON AND MAKE

3:10:40SURE IT'S NICE AND CALL I'LL

3:10:42BRING IT THANK THANK YOU UH MY

3:10:44NAME IS GRAHAM HORN I'M

3:10:46COORDINATING COORDINATING ON

3:10:47NILE AG SHELTER AND ECONOMIC

3:10:51STABILITY PROJECT AH NYLON

3:10:51ALSO BOASTS A ROBUST VETERAN'S

3:10:54PRACTICE ALSO WITHIN OUR

3:10:55PUBLIC BENEFITS UNIT AND I

3:10:57WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK

3:10:58ALL.

3:10:58>>ALL FORMER AND SERVICE

3:11:01MEMBERS UM AND I WOULD ALSO

3:11:02LIKE TO THANK THE THE CITY

3:11:05ADMINISTRATION AND

3:11:06COMMISSIONERS FOR STAYING T

3:11:08OLISTEN UM THAT'S UH AND

3:11:10INCREDIBLY WELCOME CHANGE UM

3:11:14WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF INTRO

3:11:17HUNDRED 97 WHICH DOES NOT

3:11:19INCLUDE LANGUAGE ENCOURAGING

3:11:20FORCED REMOVALS BUT INSTEAD

3:11:21CALLS FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS T

3:11:24OOFFER SHELTER AND WARMING BUS

3:11:25OPTIONS DURING COLD AND SEVERE

3:11:26WEATHER FORCED REMOVAL T

3:11:29OSHELTER OR VIOLENT DISRUPTIONS

3:11:30THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO

3:11:33PRODUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES PEOPLE

3:11:33DO NOT CHOOSE TO SLEEP OUTSIDE R

3:11:37DOES NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS

3:11:39INTENDED RESIDENCE MY WRITTEN

3:11:41TESTIMONY DESCRIBES MANY FIXES

3:11:42TO SHELTER THAT WOULD WORK

3:11:44TOWARDS THE GOAL OF LIMITING

3:11:47STREET HOMELESSNESS NOT

3:11:47THROUGH FORCE BUT BY OFFERING

3:11:49A STABILIZING AND SUPPORTIVE

3:11:52ALTERNATIVE CHIEF AMONG THEM

3:11:53WOULD BE TO RESTORE TRUST

3:11:55BETWEEN ST OUTREACH WORKERS

3:11:57AND OUR UNHEALTHIEST NEIGHBORS

3:11:59AND ALSO TO EXPAND THE

3:12:00AVAILABILITY OF SINGLE AND

3:12:01DOUBLE ROOM PLACEMENTS WITHIN

3:12:02OUR SHELTERS ADDITIONALLY OUR

3:12:06BUILDINGS SUFFER FROM ENORMOUS

3:12:08STRUCTURAL ACCESSIBILITY

3:12:09ISSUES EVEN OUR NEW MALE

3:12:12INTAKE FACILITIES INACCESSIBLE G

3:12:15REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

3:12:15WITHOUT AN ADVOCATE'S

3:12:18ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

3:12:19UNAVAILABILITY OF SHELTER

3:12:20TRANSFERS EVEN AFTER VIOLENT

3:12:23EVENTS CURFEW POLICIES INTAKE

3:12:25ONEROUS NOUS INTENSE POLICING

3:12:28THE DIFFICULTY OF BRINGING

3:12:33SPACES IF OUR GOAL IS TO

3:12:36REDUCE UNSHELTERED

3:12:36HOMELESSNESS WE MUST WORK

3:12:38THROUGH COMPASSION TO MEET THE

3:12:39NEEDS OF THOSE WHO CURRENTLY

3:12:40CANNOT ACCEPT PLACEMENT IN OUR

3:12:42SHELTERS ON OUR COLDEST NIGHTS K

3:12:46YOU THANK YOU

3:12:50.>>I AM COCO COLON FROM THE

3:12:53VETERAN ADVOCACY PROJECT AND

3:12:55WE PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES

3:12:57TO VETERANS FOCUSING ON THOSE

3:12:58WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

3:13:01UM I WANT TO JUST START WHERE

3:13:03THIS ALL KIND OF SEEMS TO HAVE

3:13:04STARTED WITH THE CONTRACT YOU

3:13:06KNOW THE CITY SHOULD HAVE

3:13:09KNOWN ANYWAY IF THEY DIDN'T

3:13:11THAT THESE CONDITIONS WERE A

3:13:12PART OF IT THEY WERE PUBLISHED

3:13:15IN JANUARY 2026 AS THE TERMS

3:13:16AND CONDITIONS ON PAGE TWO SO

3:13:19IT SEEMS THAT TRANS VETS ARE

3:13:19BEING USED AS COVER AND SO YOU

3:13:22KNOW I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT

3:13:23THE CITY WOULD ANSWER TO THAT

3:13:26WHY THEY APPLIED IF THEY YOU

3:13:28KNOW IF THOSE CONDITIONS ARE

3:13:31ALREADY THERE AND THEY'RE

3:13:32INVOLVED IN LITIGATION I

3:13:34BELIEVE IN OTHER AREAS WITH

3:13:36FEDERAL POLICY SO IT WOULD BE

3:13:37HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY

3:13:38WEREN'T AWARE OF IT AND THE

3:13:40OTHER THING IS I JUST

3:13:41WONDERING WHY WE'RE NOT ASKING

3:13:43MORE ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

3:13:45SIDE AND WHY YOU KNOW WHAT

3:13:46HAPPENED AND I UNDERSTAND

3:13:49THEIR LIMITATIONS IT'S A

3:13:50FEDERAL AGENCY'S CONTRACT BUT

3:13:51I HOPE THAT THESE QUESTIONS

3:13:56REMAIN AH SO PART OF MY

3:13:58ORGANIZATION STARTED OUT

3:13:59WANDERING THE HALLS OF THE VA

3:14:00AND BORDEN AVENUE AND OVER THE

3:14:02YEARS WE'VE HAD 518 VETERANS

3:14:05WHO HAVE CALLED WARDEN HOME

3:14:07FOR A SHORT WHILE BUT I CAN

3:14:09TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF OTHER

3:14:10VETERANS WHO HAVE SAID I AM

3:14:13CHOOSING THE STREET INSTEAD

3:14:15.>>AND FOR TWO MAIN REASONS ONEE

3:14:21REPORTS ARE THAT IT'S VERY

3:14:23HARD TO STAY SOBER

3:14:25.>>THERE'S THE AVAILABILITY OF

3:14:28DRUGS IS DIFFICULT AND THEN

3:14:30SAFETY AND THIS IS ANOTHER

3:14:31THING I'M WONDERING WHY WE'RE

3:14:33NOT TALKING ABOUT THERE WERE

3:14:34YOU KNOW IN SEVERAL OF THE

3:14:35NEWS REPORTS THIS REPORT ABOUT

3:14:38HIS SEXUAL ASSAULT I'VE HEARD

3:14:39THAT IT WAS YOU KNOW AN I LIKE G

3:14:43PURSUED TODAY AND I'M NOT

3:14:45SAYING IT HAPPENED OR NOT I

3:14:45HAVE NO IDEA BUT IT SEEMS

3:14:48CONCERNING ENOUGH THAT IT

3:14:49SHOULD BE A

3:14:50.>>FOCUS YOU KNOW THE

3:14:51CONDITIONS ARE REALLY

3:14:52IMPORTANT THE ROOF YOU KNOW

3:14:53WE'VE KNOWN ABOUT A LEAKING

3:14:55ROOF FOR YEARS AND SO THAT'S

3:14:58REALLY SHAMEFUL BUT EQUALLY AS

3:15:00IMPORTANT IF NOT MORE SHOULD

3:15:03BE SAFETY AND IT'S JUST

3:15:04STRANGE THAT IT HASN'T BEEN

3:15:07ASKED ABOUT AND SO WE WOULD

3:15:09JUST HOPE THAT THESE THINGS

3:15:10ARE FOLLOWED UP ON BECAUSE WE

3:15:12CAN HAVE THESE HEARINGS WE CAN

3:15:14HAVE THE YOU KNOW PRESS

3:15:16CONFERENCES BUT IF THERE'S NO

3:15:16FOLLOW UP IT DOESN'T MATTER

3:15:17AND WE'RE BACK HERE IN A

3:15:18COUPLE OF YEARS

3:15:18.>>THANK YOU UM A COUPLE OF

3:15:22QUICK QUESTIONS MISS COLLINI

3:15:24ONE THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING

3:15:25YOU'RE GROUP DOES I APPRECIATE.

3:15:27>>IT JUST TO CLARIFY WHAT YOU

3:15:29SAID ABOUT THE FEDERAL GRANTS

3:15:32SO

3:15:32.>>THE CITY JUST SO EVERYBODY

3:15:34UNDERSTANDS THE CHRONOLOGY THE

3:15:36CITY WAS AWARE OF THE FEDERAL

3:15:38GOVERNMENT'S POLICY WHEN IT

3:15:40COMES TO GENDER AND

3:15:42TRANSGENDER VETERANS AND THEN

3:15:43THEY STILL APPLIED FOR THE

3:15:45GRANT KNOWING OF THOSE

3:15:46.>>CONDITIONS I DON'T SORRY LET

3:15:48ME BE VERY CLEAR I DON'T KNOW

3:15:50THAT I'M SAYING THAT ONE WOULD

3:15:51THINK THEY DID BECAUSE THEY

3:15:53WERE PUBLISHED IN AND THE

3:15:56APPLICATION WENT IN FROM MY

3:15:57UNDERSTANDING IN SO AND THERE

3:16:00PART OF A LOT OF OTHER

3:16:01CONDITIONS THAT HAVE YOU KNOW

3:16:03IN THE LAST TWO YEARS

3:16:04DEVELOPED CREATING A LOT OF

3:16:06CHALLENGES FOR PROVIDERS AND

3:16:09SOCIAL SERVICES AND AGAIN MY

3:16:10UNDERSTANDING IS THE CITY IS

3:16:11INVOLVED IN THESE THINGS AND

3:16:13KNOWS SO ONE WOULD THINK THAT

3:16:14WHEN THEY APPLIED THEY DID I

3:16:15DON'T KNOW THAT FOR A

3:16:17.>>FACT BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN

3:16:18FOLLOWING THE SITUATION AT

3:16:20BORDEN AVENUE FOR A LONG TIME

3:16:23UM YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF THE

3:16:25CRITICISMS AND COMPLAINTS OVER

3:16:27THE YEARS AND THE LAST HEARING

3:16:30ON VETERANS HOMELESSNESS AND

3:16:30BETTING YOUR FAMILIAR WITH YOU E

3:16:34HAVE YOU SEEN IMPROVEMENTS AT

3:16:36THE BORDEN AVENUE SITUATION

3:16:37BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE HEARD

3:16:39TODAY WHETHER IT'S DATA OR

3:16:41WHETHER IT'S ANECDOTAL

3:16:41.>>DO YOU SEE THINGS MOVING IN

3:16:44THE RIGHT DIRECTION FROM YOUR

3:16:46PERSPECTIVE.

3:16:46>>I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE MYSELF

3:16:48PERSONALLY IN THE LAST SEVERAL

3:16:49YEARS SO I DON'T FEEL I'M

3:16:52REALLY QUALIFIED TO SAY AND

3:16:53WOULD HOPE THAT.

3:16:54>>IT'S REALLY THE VETERANS

3:16:55GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT

3:16:56WE'RE LISTENING TO.

3:16:57>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH HI

3:17:00.>>GOOD AFTERNOON I'M KRISTEN

3:17:01MILLER AND I'M EXECUTIVE

3:17:03DIRECTOR OF HOMELESS SERVICES

3:17:05UNITED WE ARE A COALITION

3:17:09REPRESENTING 55 NONPROFIT

3:17:11ORGANIZATIONS WHO PROVIDE

3:17:11HOMELESS SERVICES ACROSS NEW

3:17:14YORK CITY I WANT TO THANK BOTH

3:17:17CHAIRS MURANO AND HUDSON FOR

3:17:19THIS HEARING I THINK IT'S A

3:17:20VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC AS DO OUR

3:17:23MEMBERS AND I ALSO VERY MUCH

3:17:24APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS IN

3:17:26SUPPORT OF THE NONPROFITS WHO

3:17:28DO THIS WORK EVERY DAY T

3:17:30OENSURE THAT PEOPLE

3:17:31EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE

3:17:32THE BEST EXPERIENCE THEY CAN I D

3:17:37TODAY ARE ROOTED IN A COUPLE

3:17:39OF THINGS ONE IS ABOUT

3:17:41PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NONPROFIT

3:17:42PROVIDERS THAT ARE CONTRACTED

3:17:44TO DO THIS WORK ON BEHALF OF

3:17:45THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND THAT

3:17:47PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY I AM N

3:17:51TALKING A LOT ABOUT IS THE NEW

3:17:54YORK CITY ACCESS POLICY IT IS

3:17:58THE LEGAL MORAL AND ETHICAL

3:18:01DUTY OF NEW YORK CITY SHELTER

3:18:02PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE THE

3:18:04SAFETY SECURITY AND PROVIDE

3:18:06PRIVACY OF THE PEOPLE THEY

3:18:07SERVE AND THE STAFF THAT THEY

3:18:11EMPLOY THROUGH ESTABLISHED

3:18:13SECURITY MEASURES REGARDLESS

3:18:14OF THE PROCEDURES THAT IT IS

3:18:17THEIR DUTY TO DO THAT.

3:18:19>>RIGHT AND WHILE THE VAST

3:18:21MAJORITY OF PEOPLE COMING INTO

3:18:23SHELTERS HAVE VERY GOOD

3:18:25INTENTIONS SOMETIMES PEOPLE

3:18:26DON'T AND IT IS THE OBLIGATION

3:18:29OF THE SHELTER PROVIDERS T

3:18:30OMAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY COMES

3:18:31INTO THEIR BUILDING HAS THE

3:18:32BEST INTENTIONS RIGHT SO THEY

3:18:34ALL HAVE SCREENING PROCESSES

3:18:37FOR INSURING THAT SO WE HAVE

3:18:39TO HAVE CREATE A POLICY THAT

3:18:41IS WELCOMING A BALANCE OF

3:18:42WELCOMING OF THE COMMUNITY AND

3:18:45ALSO PROTECTING THE PEOPLE WHO

3:18:46ARE INSIDE THE BUILDING UM BUT

3:18:49ARE MEMBERS ARE REPORTING THAT

3:18:52THE PROTOCOL IS A HINDRANCE

3:18:53RATHER THAN A HELP AH THIS IS

3:18:57BECAUSE MY MUST SIGN OFF ON

3:19:00ALL NDA H'S BEFORE INDIVIDUALS

3:19:02CAN ENTER SHELTERS AND THE

3:19:04PROCESS IS THEN UNNECESSARILY

3:19:06BURDENSOME TO OUR KNOWLEDGE NO

3:19:09OTHER CITY AGENCY HAS THIS

3:19:11REQUIREMENT.

3:19:11>>THIS IS UNIQUE TO S AND THE

3:19:16RESULT IS IS THAT

3:19:17ORGANIZATIONS VOLUNTEERS AND

3:19:17OTHERS WHO ARE EAGER AND

3:19:19WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE T

3:19:21OSHELTERS FACE ADDITIONAL

3:19:22BARRIERS TO GIVING THEIR TIME

3:19:23AND RESOURCES SOME VERY

3:19:25SPECIFIC EXAMPLES THAT WE'VE

3:19:26HEARD FROM OUR MEMBERS ARE

3:19:30THAT NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

3:19:31HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING

3:19:35SAND BOOKS SHELTER MAKEOVER

3:19:37OPPORTUNITIES HAVE DECIDED TO

3:19:38OFFER THEIR DONATIONS OF TIME

3:19:40AND RESOURCES TO OTHER PLACES

3:19:42LIKE NEW JERSEY PHILLY WHO

3:19:44WESTCHESTER COUNTY WHERE THEY

3:19:44DON'T HAVE THESE SAME ONEROUS

3:19:47REQUIREMENTS YET ARE STILL

3:19:48ABLE TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE

3:19:50INSIDE THE BUILDINGS A SAFETY

3:19:52PRIVACY AH PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN

3:19:55PROHIBITED FROM SISTER

3:19:56ORGANIZATIONS COMING ON SITE

3:19:58FOR HEALTH FAIRS JOB FAIRS

3:20:00SERVICE FAIRS DELAYS AND

3:20:02ASSIGNMENTS TO OTHER CITY

3:20:03FUNDED PROGRAMS FOR SOCIAL

3:20:07WORK INTERNS BECAUSE THE NDA

3:20:08TZE MUST GO THROUGH THE

3:20:11UNIVERSITY'S LEGAL

3:20:11DEPARTMENT'S WHICH WAS TAKING

3:20:12LONGER THAN SIX MONTHS SO

3:20:14SOCIAL WORK INTERNS IS A WE'RE

3:20:16SO UNDERSTAFFED WE RELY ON

3:20:17INTERNS ALL THE TIME AND NOW

3:20:19WE'RE HAVING A HARD TIME

3:20:20GETTING PERMISSION FOR THEM TO

3:20:22DO THEIR PLACEMENT AT SHELTERS S

3:20:26WERE CANCELED IN DONATIONS OF

3:20:29DIAPERS HYGIENE KITS BOOKS

3:20:30WERE NOT ABLE TO BE BROUGHT IN

3:20:32BY THE VOLUNTEER GROUPS AND

3:20:35PHILANTHROPY AND THESE SHELTER

3:20:36KIND OF SPRUCE IF DAVE'S HAD

3:20:38BEEN CANCELED AS THESE YOU

3:20:41KNOW NATIONAL CORPORATE

3:20:42OFFICES COULDN'T GET T

3:20:43OREVIEWING THE NDA H'S IN TIME.

3:20:46>>THE SECOND ISSUE THAT WE'VE

3:20:46BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS FUNDING

3:20:50THESE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN

3:20:51MENTIONED ARE AN AGING

3:20:53FACILITIES THAT NOT

3:20:53.>>WERE NOT ORIGINALLY INTENDEDL

3:20:59BUDGETS THEY INCLUDE

3:21:00MAINTENANCE COSTS BUT NOT FOR

3:21:03LEAKY ROOFS BROKEN PIPES THE

3:21:07INFLATION OF FOOD RIGHT SO

3:21:09THEY HAVE TO GO TO TO GET MORE

3:21:10MONEY IN THE BUDGET THAT HAS

3:21:11TO BE IMPROVED BY OH THEN IT

3:21:14HAS TO GET INTO THE INDIVIDUAL

3:21:16NONPROFITS LINE ITEM BUDGET IN

3:21:17ORDER TO GET PAID THIS TAKES A

3:21:20LONG LONG TIME HAS ABOUT

3:21:251901900 PENDING NEW NEED

3:21:27REQUESTS GOING BACK TO 20 1

3:21:308TOTALING AT OUR ESTIMATE

3:21:31NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS SOME

3:21:33REQUESTS AS WE'VE HEARD GO

3:21:34BACK YEARS AND YEARS BACK AND

3:21:36FORTH AND YET THE WORK DOESN'T

3:21:39GET DONE THE INCREASES DON'T

3:21:41GET INTO THEIR BUDGETS THAT

3:21:42THEY NEED TO RUN THEIR

3:21:42PROGRAMS

3:21:43.>>I THINK OVERALL WE NEED T

3:21:46OFOCUS ON THE PEOPLE AND NOT

3:21:49THE PROCESSES AND WE HAVE T

3:21:50OMAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING

3:21:51GETS TO THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE

3:21:53RIGHT TIME.

3:21:53>>I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT WE

3:21:55ARE IN SUPPORT OF INTRO 897 OF

3:21:59COURSE WE WANT ADEQUATE

3:22:00PLANNING AHEAD OF SEVERE

3:22:01WEATHER EVENTS BUT THERE IS

3:22:03ONE NOTE OF CAUTION AND THEN

3:22:04IT WILL FINISH IS THAT AYE WE

3:22:06ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL

3:22:08BE AN UNFUNDED MANDATE OF MORE

3:22:10WORK ON THE NON PROFITS THEY

3:22:13ALREADY OPERATE UNDER OF

3:22:15POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SO

3:22:16PLEASE WHATEVER YOU DO TAKE

3:22:19INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IT

3:22:21DOESN'T PUT AN ONEROUS BURDEN

3:22:23ON THE NONPROFIT BUT THAT

3:22:25GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFITS ARE

3:22:26WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

3:22:28.>>THANK YOU THANK YOU VERY

3:22:30MUCH DEREK GOOD AFTERNOON

3:22:32CHAIR HUDSON CHAIR MORANO AND

3:22:33MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE MY

3:22:34NAME IS DEREK HOY I'M A SENIOR

3:22:36PROGRAM OFFICER AT THE NEW

3:22:37YORK HEALTH FOUNDATION ALSO

3:22:38ALSO A FORMER SERGEANT UNITED

3:22:39STATES MARINE VETERAN OF THE

3:22:41IRAQ WAR IT'S BEEN UNFORTUNATE

3:22:43TO HEAR ABOUT THE FUNDING LOSS

3:22:44AND ISSUES AND SHELTER

3:22:46CONDITIONS FOR VETERANS IN NEW

3:22:47YORK CITY THERE EXPERIENCING

3:22:49HOMELESSNESS BUT IT IS

3:22:49ENCOURAGING TO SEE SO MANY

3:22:50FOLKS ON THE COUNCIL IN

3:22:52GOVERNMENT THE NONPROFIT

3:22:53SECTOR AND VARIOUS ADVOCATES

3:22:54COMING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS

3:22:56THESE CONCERNS BECAUSE IT IS

3:22:57CLEARLY NEEDED AFTER DECLINING

3:22:58NEARLY 90% BETWEEN 201120 22

3:23:02AND REACHING HISTORICALLY LOW

3:23:03NUMBERS VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

3:23:04IN NEW YORK CITY IS RISING

3:23:05AGAIN.

3:23:06>>AS RECENTLY AS 20 24 THE

3:23:08NUMBERS HAD SURGED NEARLY 30%

3:23:10THREATENING MORE THAN A DECADE

3:23:12OF PROGRESS AND UNDERSCORING

3:23:12THE NEED FOR RENEWED

3:23:13INVESTMENT BUT LIKE MOST

3:23:15ISSUES VETERANS FACE

3:23:16HOMELESSNESS IS NOT THE SOLE

3:23:18CONCERN.

3:23:19>>VETERANS IN NEW YORK CITY

3:23:20ALREADY FACE RATES OF SUICIDE

3:23:21APPROXIMATELY 45% HIGHER THAN

3:23:23OUR CIVILIAN COUNTERPARTS BUT

3:23:24WE KNOW THESE RATES AREN'T

3:23:26EVENLY DISPERSED THROUGHOUT

3:23:27THE COMMUNITY A RECENT STUDY

3:23:28FROM VA AND YALE RESEARCHERS

3:23:30OFFERS ONE OF THE MOST

3:23:32COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS T

3:23:33ODATE OF THE LINK BETWEEN

3:23:35CUMULATIVE SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE

3:23:36AND SUICIDE RISK AMONG U S S

3:23:38VETERANS AND THE PATTERNS WERE

3:23:41ALARMING

3:23:41.>>VETERANS IN THE TOP 5% OF

3:23:43SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE WERE MORE

3:23:44THAN 20 TIMES AS LIKELY T

3:23:46OREPORT SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR

3:23:47BEHAVIORS THAN THOSE

3:23:48EXPERIENCING THE LEAST

3:23:50HARDSHIP THE ASSOCIATIONS WERE

3:23:51EVEN STRONGER AMONG VETERANS

3:23:52WITH A HISTORY OF MENTAL

3:23:54HEALTH CONDITIONS THE MOST

3:23:55RECENT NATIONAL REPORT ON

3:23:57VETERANS SUICIDE UNDERSCORES

3:23:58THIS AS WELL POINTING OUT THAT

3:23:59THE SUICIDE RATE FOR THOSE

3:24:01WITH EITHER A DIAGNOSIS OF

3:24:03HOMELESSNESS OR WHO HAVE

3:24:05RECEIVED HOMELESS PROGRAM

3:24:06SERVICES IN 20 24 WAS 72 PER

3:24:09100000 MEANING THE SUICIDE

3:24:10RATE AMONG VETERANS

3:24:11EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WAS

3:24:14HUNDRED 18% HIGHER THAN AMONG

3:24:16THOSE WITH HOUSING FURTHERMORE N

3:24:19HOMELESSNESS ALSO DIFFER BY

3:24:20GENDER WOMEN ARE THE FASTEST

3:24:22GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC IN THE

3:24:23VETERAN COMMUNITY AND AT THE

3:24:25SAME TIME DOCUMENTED CASES OF

3:24:27HOMELESSNESS WERE GREATER FOR

3:24:28FEMALE VETERANS WHO DIED BY

3:24:30SUICIDE COMPELLED COMPARED T

3:24:30OMALE VETERANS THESE FINDINGS

3:24:32REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF

3:24:34ADDRESSING THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC.

3:24:35>>THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

3:24:36DRIVERS OF VETERANS SUICIDE

3:24:38AND WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT

3:24:40EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VETERAN

3:24:41HOMELESSNESS ALSO PRIORITY

3:24:42PRIORITIZE SUICIDE PREVENTION

3:24:44THROUGH EXPANDING AND

3:24:45EMBEDDING SUICIDE PREVENTION

3:24:47ACROSS MENTAL HEALTH AND

3:24:48SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS

3:24:50ENSURING ALL IN HOUSE VETERANS

3:24:50ARE SCREENED FOR SUICIDE RISK

3:24:52AND REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE

3:24:55SERVICES EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR

3:24:56EXPANDING PEER MENTORSHIP FOR

3:24:57MENTAL HEALTH AND IMPROVING

3:24:59DATA COLLECTION TO IDENTIFY

3:24:59VETERANS AT GREATER RISK THAT

3:25:01LAST POINT I'D LIKE TO HARP ON

3:25:02BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE TALKING

3:25:04ABOUT VETERAN HOMELESSNESS THE

3:25:05WAY WE DEFINE VETERAN IS HOW

3:25:06WE COUNT THEM AND ACCORDING T

3:25:08OVA DEPENDING ON THE CHARACTER

3:25:09OF YOUR DISCHARGE IF YOU WERE

3:25:11KICKED OUT BECAUSE OF YOUR

3:25:12GENDER IDENTITY SEXUAL

3:25:14ORIENTATION OR SYSTEMIC RACISM S

3:25:17A VETERAN AND AGAIN WHEN WE

3:25:18LOOK AT SUICIDE RATES FOR

3:25:21VETERANS THESE ARE THOSE

3:25:22FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE

3:25:22ACCESS TO VA HEALTH CARE SO

3:25:25THESE NUMBERS ARE VERY LIKELY

3:25:26AND UNDERCOUNT AND NOT LOOKING

3:25:27AT THE SEVERITY OF THE

3:25:28SITUATION FOR THOSE MOST

3:25:30VULNERABLE WE COMMEND THE

3:25:31COMMITTEE'S EFFORT TO MEET THE

3:25:32NEEDS OF VETERANS EXPERIENCING

3:25:33HOMELESSNESS AND SHARE YOUR

3:25:34COMMITMENT TO NEW YORK CITY'S

3:25:36VETERANS I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK

3:25:38TO MYSELF AND THE NEW YORK

3:25:38HEALTH FOUNDATION AS A PARTNER

3:25:40IN RESOURCE FOR THIS WORK AND

3:25:41THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE

3:25:42OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY THIS

3:25:44AFTERNOON THANK YOU COY

3:25:46.>>ANY QUESTIONS ALL RIGHT

3:25:47THANK YOU VERY MUCH WE WILL

3:25:50CALL UP OUR NEXT PANEL MICHAEL

3:25:54MATTOS MIKE MATTHEWS ANTHONY

3:25:55BYRD SHARON WHITE MIKE MUNOZ

3:26:21ANGEL SANSA THANK YOU WHY

3:26:22DON'T WE BEGIN WITH MATTOS AND

3:26:24THEN WE'LL WORK THAT WAY JUST

3:26:26TURN YOUR MIC ON KEEP IT CLOSE O

3:26:33CHAIR HUDSON MEMBERS OF BOTH

3:26:37ETHE FIVE BOROUGH VETERANS ON

3:26:39SEPTEMBER 24 WE LEARNED FROM

3:26:39THE PRESS THE CITY OF NEW YORK

3:26:41HAD WITHDRAWN FROM THE VA

3:26:43GRANT AND PER DIEM PROGRAM A

3:26:46$4 MILLION A YEAR FUNDING

3:26:47SOURCE THAT HAS SUPPORTED THE

3:26:48BORDEN AVENUE VETERANS

3:26:49RESIDENTS FOR 20 YEARS WITH

3:26:51RESIDENTS FUTURES IS UNCERTAIN R

3:26:54WE FILED RECORDS REQUESTS WITH

3:26:55THE VA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF

3:26:57HOMELESS SERVICES ON THE SAME

3:26:58DAY THE VA HAS SINCE RESPONDED E

3:27:02OF DECEMBER 30 WHAT FOLLOWED

3:27:04EXPOSED FAILURES AT EVERY

3:27:05LEVEL OF THE SYSTEM

3:27:06RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE

3:27:08RESIDENTS.

3:27:08>>ON OCTOBER 24 EXCUSE ME

3:27:10FIRST WE WENT TO BORDEN FOR AN

3:27:11INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEW WITH

3:27:13THE PRESS TO HEAR FROM

3:27:13RESIDENTS ABOUT HOW THE

3:27:14FUNDING DISPUTE WOULD AFFECT

3:27:16THEM WHAT THEY TOLD US ABOUT

3:27:18CONDITIONS INSIDE RAISE

3:27:19SERIOUS CONCERNS AND THOSE

3:27:20CONCERNS REACHED THE CITY

3:27:22COUNCIL THAT DAY COUNCIL

3:27:23MEMBERS JULIE WAN AND PHIL

3:27:26WONG ARRIVED TO USE THEIR

3:27:27OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY UNDER THE

3:27:29CITY CHARTER THE

3:27:29ADMINISTRATION TOLD THEM THEY

3:27:30NEEDED AN ESCORT AND WAS

3:27:32SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT I

3:27:34STOOD BESIDE COUNSEL NUMBER

3:27:34ONE AS SHE WAS VERBALLY

3:27:36BERATED ON SPEAKERPHONE BY THE

3:27:37MAYOR OFFICE BY FOR USING THAT

3:27:39AUTHORITY RESIDENTS REPORT

3:27:42ABUSE AND LITTLE FOOD CRAMPED

3:27:43QUARTERS BROKEN FACILITIES AND

3:27:45A ROOF LET LEAKS WHERE THEY'RE

3:27:46SLEEP AND THE KITCHEN THEY ARE

3:27:47NOT ALLOWED TO USE SOME HAVE

3:27:49GONE A WEEK WITHOUT AN EDIBLE

3:27:52MEAL AT THIS TIME WE ARE IN

3:27:53CONVERSATION WITH THE

3:27:54DEPARTMENT OF INVESTIGATION TO

3:27:55INVESTIGATE THE SHELTER

3:27:57OPERATOR

3:27:57.>>THE INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY

3:27:59LIVING AND WITH THE CITY

3:28:00COMPTROLLER TO AUDIT ITS

3:28:02CONTRACT IF THE OPERATOR FALLS

3:28:04SHORT THE COMMUNITY IS CALLING

3:28:06FOR A NEW PROVIDER FROM WITHIN Y

3:28:08.>>WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT

3:28:09HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL

3:28:12SERVICES HANDLES OVERSIGHT

3:28:13BEFORE A VISIT THE DEPARTMENT

3:28:14ASKS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SIGN

3:28:16A FORM IT TREATS AS A NON

3:28:19DISCLOSURE CEM RANO SHARED

3:28:20THAT FORM WITH US IT IS A

3:28:23PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

3:28:23AGREEMENT NOT A NONDISCLOSURE

3:28:26AGREEMENT PROTECTING

3:28:27RESIDENT'S PRIVACY IS

3:28:28IMPORTANT BUT USING THAT FORM

3:28:29TO LIMIT WILL ACCESS ELECTED

3:28:30OFFICIALS CAN HAVE AT A

3:28:32FACILITY DOES NOT PROTECT

3:28:34RESIDENTS WE HAVE ALSO SEEN

3:28:36FIRSTHAND WHAT ADVANCED NOTICE

3:28:38MAKES POSSIBLE OCTOBER 5

3:28:40RESIDENTS CONTACTED US BECAUSE

3:28:40THEY WERE PUTTING PRESSURED T

3:28:42ORUSH A CLEANUP BEFORE THE

3:28:43COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL

3:28:44SERVICES ARRIVED THAT EVENING

3:28:45A VISIT THAT WAS NEVER

3:28:46ANNOUNCED TO THE COUNCIL WE

3:28:48WENT TO BOARDING THAT NIGHT

3:28:49WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS HUANG AND

3:28:52JUAN AND CONFRONTED THE

3:28:53COMMISSIONER DIRECTLY THAT IS

3:28:54OUR CENTRAL CONCERN WITH HOW

3:28:56OVERSIGHT VISITS ARE HANDLED

3:28:57WHEN THE CITY KNOWS WHO IS

3:28:59COMING PROBLEMS GET COVERED UP

3:28:59INSTEAD OF FIXED

3:29:01.>>OVERSIGHT ONLY WORKS WHEN

3:29:02OFFICIALS SEE A FACILITY THE

3:29:03WAY THE RESIDENTS LIVE IN IT

3:29:05EVERY DAY WE ALSO RECENTLY

3:29:06LEARNED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF

3:29:08VETERANS SERVICES HAS A

3:29:09SATELLITE OFFICE INSIDE THE

3:29:11BORDEN BUILDING CITY STAFF

3:29:12WHOSE JOB IS TO SERVE VETERANS

3:29:13HAVE BEEN WORKING UNDER THE

3:29:14SAME ROOF AS THESE CONDITIONS

3:29:17ON OCTOBER 7 I ASKED

3:29:18COMMISSIONER MORROW DIRECTLY

3:29:19WHETHER HER AGENCY KNEW SHE

3:29:19DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION

3:29:21AND SPOKE ONLY ABOUT HER

3:29:23AGENCY'S ROLE IN BENEFITS AND

3:29:25SERVICES

3:29:25.>>THE COMMISSIONER IS NOW OUR

3:29:26COMMUNITY'S LAST VOICE IN CITY

3:29:27GOVERNMENT WHEN VETERANS ASK

3:29:28WHAT SHE KNOWS AND WHAT SHE'S

3:29:30DONE ABOUT IT THEY DESERVE A

3:29:31DIRECT ANSWER NOT TO AVOID THE

3:29:33QUESTION AS THE WELL BEING OF

3:29:34RESIDENTS HANG IN THE BALANCE

3:29:36.>>FINALLY THE FUNDING FOR

3:29:38NEARLY 20 YEARS THE VA IS

3:29:40GRANT AND PER DIEM PROGRAM HAS

3:29:41HELPED PAY FOR THE SHELTER THE

3:29:43CITY IS ON SAYS IT'S WALKED

3:29:44AWAY BECAUSE THE NEW GRANT

3:29:46TERMS WOULD HAVE BARRED

3:29:47TRANSGENDER VETERANS FROM

3:29:48RECEIVING SERVICES NO VETERAN

3:29:49SHOULD BE TURNED AWAY AND WE

3:29:51SUPPORT THAT PRINCIPLE BUT WE

3:29:52REVIEWED THE VA RECORDS

3:29:53RECORDS RELEASED WITH THE

3:29:55OFFICES OF SEVERAL ELECTED

3:29:56OFFICIALS UNLESS THAT LANGUAGE

3:29:58SITS ON A REDACTED PAGE THERE

3:29:59IS NO SUCH REQUIREMENT WE

3:30:00ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION T

3:30:02OEXPLAIN WHY I WALKED AWAY FROM

3:30:03THIS FUNDING HOW MUCH CITIES

3:30:04MONEY WILL REPLACE IT WHERE

3:30:06THAT MONEY WILL COME FROM AND

3:30:07HOW OLD GUARANTEE THAT NO

3:30:09VETERAN ON BOARDING GOES

3:30:10WITHOUT SERVICES.

3:30:11>>EVERY LEVEL OF THIS SYSTEM

3:30:13OWES OUR VETERANS

3:30:14ACCOUNTABILITY AND

3:30:15TRANSPARENCY THE OPERATOR THE

3:30:16AGENCIES THAT OVERSEE IT AND

3:30:18CITY HALL OUR COMMUNITY IS

3:30:19TOLD OFTEN THAT IS VALUED AND

3:30:21HONORED WE HERE THANK YOU FOR

3:30:23YOUR SERVICE AT EVERY PARADE

3:30:24AND EVERY CEREMONY BORDON

3:30:26AVENUE SHOWS HOW LITTLE

3:30:27PRIORITY OUR VETERANS ACTUALLY

3:30:29RECEIVE WE ACT AS COUNSEL T

3:30:30OHOLD EACH ACCOUNTABLE

3:30:31ACCOUNTABLE SO THOSE WORDS

3:30:33MEAN SOMETHING FOUGHT AND GOT

3:30:34TO THE VETERANS LIVING IN

3:30:35BOARDING TODAY AND ACROSS NEW

3:30:37YORK CITY GOING FORWARD THANK

3:30:38YOU THANK YOU OKAY GOOD

3:30:47AFTERNOON CHAIRS AND MEMBERS

3:30:48OF THE COMMITTEES MY NAME IS

3:30:50MIKE MUNOZ I A POST 9 1

3:30:521GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM

3:30:54VETERAN.

3:30:55>>AND THE CURRENT VETERANS

3:30:56CAUCUS CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW

3:30:57YORK YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB AND

3:30:59A LONG TIME I AM NOT HERE T

3:31:01OASK POLITELY I AM HERE T

3:31:04ODEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY THE V A

3:31:05OFFERED THIS CITY $1.3 MILLIO

3:31:08NFOR HOMELESS VETERANS AT

3:31:10BORDEN AVENUE THIS

3:31:11ADMINISTRATION TURNED DOWN

3:31:13EVERY DOLLAR.

3:31:13>>NOW THAT TAXPAYERS ARE

3:31:15COVERING A BILL WASHINGTON

3:31:16OFFERED TO PAY THE V A IS OWN

3:31:19AWARD LISTS SHOW THAT GRANT

3:31:21AND PRETTY EMBEDS TIED TO NEW

3:31:23YORK CITY FELL FROM 154

3:31:25VETERAN BEDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2

3:31:28024 TO JUST EIGHT FISCAL EIGHT

3:31:30IN FISCAL YEAR 20 27 THERE'S A

3:31:3594.8% DECLINE IN LISTED

3:31:36CAPACITY NEW YORK STATE NOW

3:31:39RANKS 21 IN THE NATION IN

3:31:40TOTAL AWARDED BEDS A DROP LIKE

3:31:43THIS RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS

3:31:45ABOUT WHETHER HOMELESS

3:31:46VETERANS IN THIS CITY CAN GET

3:31:48TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AT ALL

3:31:50THE AWARD LISTS ALONE DO NOT

3:31:51TELL US WHETHER BEDS ACTUALLY

3:31:53CLOSED OR WHETHER OTHER

3:31:55PROGRAMS REPLACED THEM THAT IS S

3:31:59COUNCIL NEEDS ANSWERS ON

3:32:03OCTOBER 1 TWO MEMBERS OF THIS

3:32:05COUNCIL WENT TO INSPECT THAT

3:32:06SHELTER THEY WERE KEPT OUTSIDE

3:32:09FOR HOURS INSIDE THEY FOUND

3:32:10LEAKS AND TARPS HANGING NEAR

3:32:13THE COTS WHERE VETERANS SLEEP

3:32:14THEN THE MAYOR OFFICE DEMANDED

3:32:17NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS

3:32:18BEFORE ACCOUNTS OF MEMBERS

3:32:19COULD TOUR AND RESINS SAY THEY

3:32:21ARE WAR THEY WERE ORDERED T

3:32:24OTHE BUILDING BEFORE THE

3:32:26COMMISSIONERS VISIT TO VISIT

3:32:27THE RESIDENTS WERE TOLD ABOUT

3:32:28AND THIS COUNCIL WAS NONE THIS

3:32:31IS NOT A FUNDING DISPUTE THIS

3:32:33IS A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP AND

3:32:35FAILURE HAS NAMES AND THE

3:32:38MILITARY LEADERS LEAD FROM THE

3:32:41FRONT WHEN LEADERSHIP FAILS

3:32:42THEY ARE RELIEVED OF THEIR

3:32:44COMMAND HERE ARE DEMANDS AND

3:32:46FIVE POINTS ONE CANCEL THE

3:32:48CONTRACT THE INSTITUTE FOR

3:32:50COMMUNITY LIVING WAS PAID T

3:32:52ORUN BORN IN IT FAILED FAILED.

3:32:54>>NOT ONE MORE DOLLAR

3:32:58COMMISSIONER ERIN DALTON MUST

3:32:59RESIGN HER AGENCY OVERSEES

3:33:02THIS SHELTER WALKED AWAY FROM

3:33:04THIS FUNDING AND LEFT THIS

3:33:05COUNCIL STANDING AT THE DOOR

3:33:09THREE COMMISSIONER YES ANY

3:33:10MOTHER MUST RESIGN I RESPECT

3:33:11HER SERVICE IN UNIFORM BUT HER

3:33:14OWN DEPARTMENT HAS AN OFFICE

3:33:15INSIDE THAT BUILDING ON

3:33:18OCTOBER 7 SHE WAS ASKED

3:33:19WHETHER HER DEPARTMENT KNEW

3:33:20ABOUT THESE CONDITIONS AND SHE

3:33:22COULD NOT GIVE A STRAIGHT

3:33:24ANSWER WHEN VETERANS OF BOERNE

3:33:25AND AVENUE NEEDED A FIGHTER

3:33:27THEY HAD A COMMISSIONER DOWN

3:33:28THE HALL WHO COULD NOT SAY

3:33:29WHAT SHE KNEW.

3:33:31>>FOR THE FULL AUDIT BY THE

3:33:33CITY COMPTROLLER OF EVERY

3:33:39THE FUNDING THIS CITY REFUSED

3:33:41AND FIVE OPEN THE DOORS THE

3:33:44DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

3:33:45SERVICES CANNOT BE THE ONLY

3:33:46WAY OF VETERAN GETS HELP THE

3:33:51DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

3:33:52ITSELF GIVES VETERANS SERVICE

3:33:55ORGANIZATIONS SPACE IN ITS OWN

3:33:56BUILDINGS GIVE THE AMERICAN

3:33:57LEGION THE V THE AND EVERY

3:34:01ORGANIZATION WILLING TO SERVE

3:34:03THESE VETERANS SPACE INSIDE

3:34:04BORDEN AVENUE TO THIS COUNCIL

3:34:06YOU HAVE SUBPOENA POWER BUDGET R

3:34:11USE ALL THREE GET THE

3:34:13DOCUMENTS NOW DO NOT LET THIS

3:34:14END WITH THE HEARING VETERANS

3:34:17HOLD THE LINE WE HELD IT

3:34:19OVERSEAS AND WE ARE HOLDING IT

3:34:22HERE WE WILL BE BACK UNTIL

3:34:23THESE MEN HAVE WHAT THEY WHAT

3:34:25THEY EARNED THANK YOU THANK

3:34:29YOU.

3:34:29>>MATTHEWS HELLO MY NAME IS

3:34:31MIKE MATTHEWS ON THE CO LEADER

3:34:33OF THE STATEN ISLAND SERVICE

3:34:36MEMBER VETERAN'S TASK FORCE

3:34:38AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT YOU

3:34:41KNOW THE THE PERCENTAGE OF

3:34:44THOSE WHO'VE SERVED IS

3:34:45INCREASINGLY SMALL AND I

3:34:48PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT WE

3:34:48REALLY NEED TO BRIDGE THE GAP

3:34:50BETWEEN THE CIVILIAN AND THE

3:34:53MILITARY POPULATION HOWEVER

3:34:54I'M ONLY GOING TO REALLY

3:34:54ADDRESS A COUPLE OF ISSUES ARE

3:34:57HAVING TO DO WITH THE THE

3:35:01FUNDING AS I UNDERSTAND AND

3:35:02HOW IT'S BEEN EXPLAINED

3:35:04EXPLAINED THE ORIGINAL

3:35:06CONTRACT WITH THE VA WAS FOR

3:35:09$4 MILLION MY UNDERSTANDING

3:35:10WAS THE RENEWAL AMOUNT WAS

3:35:12REDUCED TO 1.35 BASED ON

3:35:15PERFORMANCE I WOULD LIKE T

3:35:18OUNDERSTAND HOW OR WHETHER

3:35:18PERFORMANCE WAS MEASURED BY

3:35:21THE SUCH A DRAMATIC DECREASE

3:35:25QUESTION I DON'T UNDERSTAND

3:35:27BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF THE OTHER

3:35:30ISSUE OF THE $1.3 MILLIO

3:35:32NGRANT ON NOT BEING ACCEPTED

3:35:35BECAUSE IT DID NOT AGAIN I'VE

3:35:38HEARD THAT IT DID NOT ALLOW

3:35:39PROVIDING SERVICE TO

3:35:42TRANSGENDER VETERANS THE

3:35:43FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

3:35:44DOCUMENT RECEIVED FROM FIV

3:35:47EBOROUGH VETERANS DID NOT

3:35:50REFLECT THIS HOWEVER THERE

3:35:52WERE SECTIONS REDACTED I WOULD

3:35:54ALSO LIKE TO UNDERSTAND

3:35:56WHETHER THE REFUSAL OF THE

3:35:58GRANT WAS BECAUSE OF A

3:36:00REDACTED PORTION OF THE GRANT

3:36:02WHICH WOULD BE INTERESTING T

3:36:04OLOOK AT WHETHER IT COULD HAVE

3:36:05RESULTED FROM A MISREADING OF

3:36:07THE GRAND CENTENNIAL SHIN OR

3:36:10SOME OTHER EXPLANATION I DID A

3:36:12LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS AND A

3:36:14OF THE VA NEWS REPORTED THAT

3:36:18BACK IN APRIL TO 25 EFFECTIVE

3:36:22IMMEDIATELY WILL NOT OFFER SEX

3:36:25HORMONE THERAPY TO VETERANS

3:36:25WHO HAVE A CURRENT DIAGNOSIS

3:36:28OR HISTORY OF WHERE EXHIBIT

3:36:30SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH

3:36:31GENDER DYSPHORIA UNLESS SUCH

3:36:34VETERANS ARE ALREADY RECEIVING

3:36:36CARE FROM V A SUCH VETERANS

3:36:39ARE RECEIVING SUCH CARE FROM

3:36:40THE MILITARY AS PART OF THEIR

3:36:43ELIGIBLE VETERANS DIAGNOSED

3:36:44WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA AH THEY

3:36:47WILL CONTINUE ELIGIBLE

3:36:49VETERANS WILL CONTINUE T

3:36:52ORECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE VA

3:36:53HEALTH CARE WHICH INCLUDES

3:36:55PREVENTIVE AND MENTAL HEALTH

3:36:55CARE SO THE QUESTION I'M

3:36:58SAYING IS IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE

3:37:02AT THE VA POLICY SEEMS TO BE

3:37:05TO CONTINUE TO TREAT AND

3:37:08ASSIST TRANSGENDER VETERANS

3:37:10HOWEVER THE FREEDOM OF

3:37:13INFORMATION HAD REDACTED

3:37:14INFORMATION WHICH DIDN'T

3:37:15INCLUDE THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT

3:37:16THE ANSWER IS BUT I'M JUST

3:37:17SAYING IT'S A QUESTION I THINK

3:37:19THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED UM

3:37:21I JUST ALSO WANT TO MENTION

3:37:22ONE THING ABOUT IKE HERE BUT I

3:37:26HAVE A QUESTION WE KNOW

3:37:28VETERANS TRUST VETERANS AND I

3:37:31WONDER IF ANY OF THE STAFF ON

3:37:34ISIS ON ICE ARE VETERANS AND

3:37:37OR IF NOT ARE THE CIVILIAN

3:37:40EMPLOYEES PROVIDED WITH

3:37:41MILITARY CULTURE TRAINING UM

3:37:45.>>I THINK I WILL LEAVE IT AT

3:37:46THAT

3:37:47.>>THANK YOU MATTHEWS SIR

3:37:50YOU'RE DOING UM JUST BRING

3:37:51BRING THAT MIC CLOSE TO YOU SO

3:37:52WE DON'T MISS A

3:37:53.>>WORD HOW YOU DOING TODAY

3:37:55FAREWELL EXCUSE ME MY NAME IS

3:37:57ANTHONY BIRD I'M A FORMER

3:37:58VETERAN I'M A FORMER.

3:37:59>>RESIDENT OF BORDEN AVENUE

3:38:02APOLOGIZE FOR MY ATTIRE I

3:38:03DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE

3:38:05FORMAL YOU LOOK GREAT

3:38:07.>>I LIKE THE SWEATSHIRT

3:38:08ABSOLUTELY THANK YOU AH.

3:38:10>>YEAH YOU CAN'T YOU GOTTA BE

3:38:12BEAT POUND POUND COMMON SENSE

3:38:14INTO PEOPLE BUT I'VE BEEN T

3:38:16OBORED AVENUE TWICE

3:38:18UNFORTUNATELY FORTUNATELY I

3:38:19MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE THROUGH

3:38:21THERE UM YEAH CONDITIONS IN

3:38:23BORDEN AVENUE NEED IMPROVEMENT Y

3:38:27PERSONALLY GET HIM A NEW

3:38:29BUILDING SIMPLE AS THAT GET

3:38:30HIM A NEW BUILDING UM I HAD

3:38:33THESE PEOPLE BEHIND ME RIGHT

3:38:34HERE HELP ME FIND HOUSING OKAY R

3:38:41HERE SAM AND MAYA THEY HELPED

3:38:43ME FIND HOUSING YOU KNOW WHAT

3:38:45I MEAN AND UNFORTUNATELY THE

3:38:46LANDLORD DOESN'T WANT TO RENEW

3:38:47MY LEASE SO I'VE GOT TO FIND I

3:38:49MIGHT HAVE TO GO BACK T

3:38:50OBORDEN THERE'S NO NO TELLING

3:38:51JUST YET BUT

3:38:52.>>BOARD NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

3:38:55.>>LIKE THEY SAY IN THE SHOWER

3:38:56AREA IN THE CAFETERIA AREA AND

3:38:59THE FOOD AREA I JUST LEFT

3:39:00THERE LAST I'VE BEEN IN MY

3:39:03APARTMENT IN LONG ISLAND CITY

3:39:05NOT EVEN A YEAR AND THEY'VE

3:39:06SENT ME A 90 DAY NOTICE OF

3:39:08TERMINATION NOT TO RENEW MY

3:39:10LEASE SO YEAH BORDEN AVENUE

3:39:12NEEDS HELP WITH SOME SHOWERS

3:39:14WITH THE FOOD IN MY OPINION IF

3:39:17YOU DON'T LIKE A JOB YOU

3:39:18SHOULDN'T HAVE IT IF YOU LIKE

3:39:22YOUR JOB YOU'LL EXCEL AT IT ME

3:39:25PERSONALLY WHEN I GOT INTO THE

3:39:26ARMY UNFORTUNATELY I HAD QUITE

3:39:28A FEW TIMES FOR WHO DON'T KNOW

3:39:29WHAT KP IS IT'S A PUNISHMENT

3:39:31AND THEY USED TO SEND ME T

3:39:32OTHE KITCHEN ALL THE TIME THAT

3:39:35STARTED MY COOKING CAREER I'VE

3:39:36BEEN COOKING EVER SINCE I

3:39:39DON'T LIKE NOTHING ELSE BUT

3:39:39BEING IN THE KITCHEN YOU WANT

3:39:43TO DO CONSTRUCTION CALL HIM IF

3:39:44YOU DO A AUTO REPAIR CALL HIM

3:39:48I I DON'T KNOW I'M JUST SAYING.

3:39:50>>I'M JUST SAYING AS AN AN

3:39:52EXAMPLE I LIKE KITCHENS BUT NO N

3:39:56AVENUE AND AS OF LAST YEAR I

3:39:58DON'T KNOW HOW THE POLICIES

3:39:59HAVE CHANGED BUT LAST YEAR NO

3:40:02YOU COULDN'T BRING FOOD INTO

3:40:04BOARDING AVENUE THEY HAD A

3:40:05LITTLE ROOM TO THE SIDE THAT

3:40:06YOU HAD TO EAT IT IN OR YOU

3:40:07COULD BRING POTATO CHIPS AND

3:40:09COOKIES IN BECAUSE THEY HAD

3:40:10THE VENDOR MACHINES THEY SOLD

3:40:13IT ANYWAY SO YEAH YOU COULD

3:40:14BRING SNACKS IN THERE BUT YOU

3:40:15COULDN'T BRING COOKED FOOD

3:40:16REALLY YOU HAD TO SIT IN THE

3:40:17SIDE ROOM AND EAT IT AS WONG

3:40:22WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH THE AH

3:40:24THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM

3:40:27.>>LAST YEAR YOU COULDN'T GET

3:40:30IN BECAUSE I ASKED LIKE I SAID

3:40:32I'M GOING TO COOK I ASKED AND

3:40:34NO YOU COULDN'T GET IN

3:40:35POLICIES HAVE CHANGED BETWEEN

3:40:42THAT'S CONCERNED

3:40:42.>>YOU HAVE GOOD ISSUES YOU

3:40:44HAVE BAD ISSUES THERE'S

3:40:45SOMETHING THAT CAN BE

3:40:46ADDRESSED AND THERE'S SOME

3:40:47THAT CAN'T YOU KNOW I MEAN BUT

3:40:49LIKE THIS GENTLEMAN SAID WE

3:40:50ALL NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND

3:40:52PUT OUR HEADS TO IT AND SEE IF

3:40:53WE CAN'T WORK IT OUT TOGETHER

3:40:55THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

3:40:58>>THANK YOU BURDEN I

3:41:00APPRECIATE REALLY HEARING YOUR

3:41:02PERSPECTIVE I OBVIOUSLY

3:41:03APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SERVICE

3:41:05TO THE COUNTRY BUT WHAT YOU'RE

3:41:07GOING THROUGH NOW IN MY VIEW

3:41:10THIS IS EXACTLY WHEN AND WHERE

3:41:12THE CITY NEEDS TO DO A BETTER

3:41:14JOB WITH OUTREACH AND

3:41:16INTERVENTION I DON'T THINK WE

3:41:17SHOULD BE WAITING UNTIL

3:41:19VETERANS ARE HOMELESS OR IN A

3:41:23SHELTER BEFORE TRYING TO HELP

3:41:23.>>THEM KEEP THEM IN HOUSING SO

3:41:25THE FACT THAT YOU ARE GETTING

3:41:28SOME WARNING THAT HEY YOU

3:41:29MIGHT BE HOMELESS IN 90 DAYS

3:41:32THIS IS EXACTLY WHEN ALL THE

3:41:33RESOURCES OF CITY GOVERNMENT

3:41:36SHOULD BE WORKING TO TO HELP

3:41:38YOU SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU

3:41:40HAVE MY CONTACT INFORMATION

3:41:41BEFORE YOU LEAVE HERE TODAY

3:41:42AND I'LL WORK WITH AND ANY

3:41:44OTHER AGENCY THAT WANTS TO

3:41:46WORK WITH US JUST A POINT OF

3:41:48CLARITY ON THE CULINARY

3:41:50PROGRAM BECAUSE THAT SEEMED T

3:41:51OBE ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE

3:41:53THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A

3:41:54.>>DISCONNECT IT WAS YOUR

3:41:57UNDERSTANDING AND AS SOMEBODY

3:41:58THREW YOUR CAPE P KNOWS HIS

3:42:00WAY AROUND THE KITCHEN IT WAS

3:42:02YOUR UNDERSTANDING WHEN YOU

3:42:03WERE AT BORDEN THAT THE PEOPLE

3:42:06THAT WERE THERE RESIDENTS

3:42:07WEREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE

3:42:09CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM

3:42:10.>>AND IF I'M WRONG PLEASE THEY

3:42:13CAN CORRECT ME BUT THE

3:42:14ADMINISTRATION SAID WHAT SAID

3:42:16IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YES

3:42:18.>>THE ONLY THING THAT COULD

3:42:19HAVE BEEN IS MAYBE YOU HAD T

3:42:21OWAIT UNTIL A NEW COHORT

3:42:23STARTED AND MAYBE THAT WAS THE

3:42:24.>>I'VE NEVER HEARD NOTHING

3:42:25LIKE THAT OKAY

3:42:26.>>WELL THANK YOU LET ME I'M

3:42:29GOING TO EVERYONE CAN ASK FOR

3:42:30MANY QUESTIONS YOU WANT BUT I

3:42:31JUST WANT 1 1 QUESTION FOR

3:42:33THESE THREE GENTLEMEN AND THEN

3:42:35I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU

3:42:36COUNCILMAN WONG UM T

3:42:39OEVERYBODY THERE I THOUGHT YOU

3:42:39ALL MADE AN INTERESTING CASE

3:42:43ABOUT IN THE CASE OF MATOS

3:42:46WANTING A PROVIDER FROM THE

3:42:48VETERAN COMMUNITY A IN THE

3:42:51CASE OF MUNOZ WANTING SOMEONE

3:42:54OTHER THAN ICL AND IN THE CASE

3:42:57OF WANTING SOMEONE THAT

3:42:59UNDERSTOOD VETERAN CULTURE T

3:43:00OTHE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS

3:43:04THERE A PROVIDER THAT COMES

3:43:06FROM WITHIN THE VETERAN

3:43:07COMMUNITY THAT WHETHER IT'S

3:43:09FOR BORDEN AVENUE OR SOMEWHERE

3:43:11ELSE THAT WOULD BE A GOOD

3:43:13PROVIDER FOR FUTURE VETERAN

3:43:17HOMELESS SERVICES IF SO WHAT

3:43:19IS IT THANKS FOR THE AH

3:43:20QUESTION CHAIR MURANO SO WE

3:43:22ARE COLLABORATING WITH

3:43:24MULTIPLE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY

3:43:25PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY WHAT A

3:43:27NONPROFIT WOULD HAVE THE

3:43:27CAPACITY TO TAKE THIS ON A FEW

3:43:29COME INTO MIND WHAT WE

3:43:31UNDERSTAND THAT THE JERICHO

3:43:32PROJECT DOES WORK WITH

3:43:34HOMELESS VETERANS SERVICES

3:43:36FULLY UNDERSERVED I UNDERSTAND

3:43:36THAT THE BLACK VOTE AND SOCIAL

3:43:37JUSTICE ALSO DO SHELTER

3:43:38MANAGEMENT SO WE'RE LOOKING AT

3:43:39THOSE AS OPTIONS THAT WOULD

3:43:41HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR

3:43:42COMMUNITY BETTER THAN AND A

3:43:45NON VETERAN UNDERSTAND GOT IT

3:43:47ANYTHING YOU WANNA ADD MINOS

3:43:49NO MATTHEWS NOT NOT REALLY

3:43:51EXCEPT I WOULD MENTION I DON'T

3:43:52PHOENIX HOUSE

3:43:53.>>DOES DO GOOD WORK FOSTER

3:44:00COUNCILMAN WANG UM THE

3:44:01GENTLEMAN THAT WAS LIVING AT

3:44:03THE.

3:44:03>>FORD OH I'M SORRY I WASN'T I

3:44:06WENT TO GET MY COFFEE I WASN'T

3:44:09OKAY NAME.

3:44:10>>WHILE YOU WERE THERE DID YOU

3:44:12HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY OR

3:44:14THE COMPUTERS WE HAVE ACCESS

3:44:16TO THE LIBRARY AND THE

3:44:17COMPUTERS BUT NO INTERNET.

3:44:20>>SO THERE WAS NO INTERNET

3:44:22CONNECTION TO THE.

3:44:23>>COMPUTERS NOT WHEN I WAS

3:44:24THERE NOTHING

3:44:25.>>THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK

3:44:26YOU I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT

3:44:28BOTH COMMISSIONER DALTON AND

3:44:29COMMISSIONER MATA ARE HERE SO

3:44:32THEY ARE LISTENING INTENTLY

3:44:33WITH THEIR TEAMS TO EVERYONE'S

3:44:37TESTIMONY.

3:44:37>>THANK YOU GENTLEMEN

3:44:38APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

3:44:39>>THANK ALL RIGHT AT THIS

3:44:40POINT WE'LL BRING UP OUR NEXT

3:44:44PANEL DR CLEOPATRA BROWN KEVIN

3:44:49MEGAT BELLO JESSE FIGUEROA

3:44:54RYAN RYAN GRAHAM DAVID KELLY

3:44:57WILLIAM GIBSON AND THIS PERSON

3:44:58IS IN A DIFFERENT COLOR WITH

3:45:01IT OKAY AND NOW WE'RE NOT SURE

3:45:03IF TIMOTHY TERRAIN IS STILL

3:45:05PRESENT IF HE IF TIMOTHY

3:45:06TERRAIN IS STILL PRESENT YOU

3:45:08CAN CUE UP IF NOT HOPEFULLY WE

3:45:22IN WRITING HMM NO I'M NOT

3:45:46THEY'RE TOUGH. WITH THESE GUYS

3:45:47>>SO UH DR BROWN THESE

3:45:49GENTLEMEN ARE BOTH WARRIORS

3:45:51AND GENTLEMEN AND THEY INSIST

3:45:52THAT YOU GO FIRST SO WELL

3:45:53WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU WHEN

3:46:00YOU'RE READY

3:46:02.>>GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

3:46:07>>JUST WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING

3:46:10THANK YOU TO THE CHAIR MORENO

3:46:12TO THE CO CHAIR MISS HUDSON

3:46:15AND THE NEW HUDSON AND THE NEW

3:46:19ON THE VETERANS.

3:46:20>>AUNT COMMITTEE OF THE THE

3:46:22COUNCIL OF COMMITTEE OF

3:46:25VETERANS UM MY NAME IS DR

3:46:28CLEOPATRA BROWN I'M A COLD WAR

3:46:30NAVY VETERAN AND A HOMEOWNER

3:46:33IN THE BROWNSVILLE SECTION OF

3:46:35BROOKLYN I SORRY FROM

3:46:36NINETEENTH 82 TO MAY 19 88 AND

3:46:41ALSO RESERVISTS AND THE NEW

3:46:43YORK CITY NAVY FOR TWO YEARS

3:46:45AND ALSO THE CHAIRPERSON OF

3:46:46BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOUGHT 16

3:46:48VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND

3:46:49I SERVED ON THE JOINT

3:46:51COMMUNITY BORES 3 816 VETERANS

3:46:55COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE

3:46:56JOINT VETERANS COMMITTEE WE

3:46:58ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE

3:47:01RESOLUTION 0 5 6 0 20 26 THE

3:47:04UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

3:47:06VETERANS AFFAIRS VA HOME LOAN

3:47:08GUARANTEE PROGRAM AS A COURT

3:47:10HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE FOR

3:47:12VETERANS FOR OVER 80 YEARS AND

3:47:14IS ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL

3:47:16BENEFITS AREN'T BY ELIGIBLE

3:47:20VETERANS ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE

3:47:20MEMBERS AND QUALIFYING

3:47:23SURVIVAL SURVIVE AS PROVIDING

3:47:25PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE

3:47:28HOMEOWNERSHIP AND LONG TERM

3:47:32FINANCIAL STABILITY THE VA

3:47:33HOME LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

3:47:33CURRENTLY SUPPORTS THE

3:47:35PURCHASE OF ELIGIBLE SINGLE

3:47:38FAMILY HOMES AND CONDOMINIUMS

3:47:42STO PURCHASE CO OPS THIS

3:47:45LIMITATION CREATES A

3:47:47SIGNIFICANT BARRIER FOR

3:47:47VETERANS IN NEW YORK CITY AND

3:47:49OTHER HIGH COST URBAN HOUSING

3:47:51MARKETS WHERE CO OP APARTMENTS

3:47:54MAKE UP A SUBSTANTIAL SHARE OF

3:47:56THE AVAILABLE HOME OWNERSHIP

3:47:59MARKET VETERANS WHO HAVE

3:48:00EARNED THE VA HOME LOAN

3:48:02BENEFIT THROUGH MILITARY

3:48:03SERVICE SHOULD NOT BE

3:48:06PREVENTED FROM FULLY UTILIZING

3:48:07THAT BENEFITS SIMPLY BECAUSE

3:48:11AN AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP

3:48:12OPPORTUNITY IS IS STRUCTURED

3:48:14AS A COOPERATIVE RATHER THAN A

3:48:16CONDOMINIUM OR TRADITIONAL

3:48:18SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND

3:48:222006 CONGRESS RECOGNIZED THIS

3:48:25ISSUE AND AUTHORIZED A

3:48:26TEMPORARY FIVE YEAR PILOT

3:48:29PROGRAM UNFORTUNATELY

3:48:30ADMINISTRATIVE DELAYS CAUSED

3:48:32IT TO UNDERPERFORM THE VA TOOK

3:48:33NEARLY THREE YEARS TO PUBLISH

3:48:35THE LENDER GUIDELINES.

3:48:38>>FURTHERMORE THE AGENCY

3:48:39FAILED TO MARKET THE BENEFIT

3:48:40LEAVING MOST ELIGIBLE SERVICE

3:48:43MEMBERS UNAWARE OF THE OPTION

3:48:45THE PILOT PROGRAM EXPIRED

3:48:47UNWRA KN OOD AND THOUSAND 11

3:48:49THE FAIR ACCESS TO CO OPS WITH

3:48:51VETERANS ACT OF 20 25 HR 18

3:48:5703 WAS INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS

3:48:58TO AMEND TITLE 38 OF THE

3:49:01UNITED STATES CODE AND IMPROVE

3:49:02THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

3:49:04AFFAIRS LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

3:49:06BY PROVIDING PERMANENT

3:49:07AUTHORITY FOR VA GUARANTEE

3:49:09FINANCING FOR THE PURPOSE OF

3:49:11RESIDENTIAL CO OPS FEDERAL

3:49:14GALA IS CURRENTLY ALLOW

3:49:15VETERANS USE THEIR VA LOAN

3:49:17BENEFITS TO PURCHASE SINGLE

3:49:19FAMILY HOMES CONDOMINIUMS

3:49:21TOWNHOUSE TOWNHOMES OR

3:49:24MANUFACTURED HOMES HOWEVER HR

3:49:2618 0 3 WERE OUT OF 3.25% LOAN

3:49:30FEE FOR CO OP HOUSING LOANS

3:49:31THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL

3:49:33SHOULD EXAMINE THIS PROPOSED

3:49:393.25 25% COOPERATIVE LOAN FEE

3:49:40AND CONSIDER WHETHER IT WOULD

3:49:43CREATE AN AFFORDABILITY

3:49:45BARRIERS FOR VETERANS SEEKING

3:49:46TO PURCHASE CO OP APARTMENTS

3:49:49ESPECIALLY GIVEN SIGNIFICANT

3:49:50MONTHLY MAINTENANCE CHARGES

3:49:51AND CO OP BOARD FINANCIAL

3:49:54REQUIREMENTS WHILE HR WHILE H

3:49:58ON 1803 REQUIRES FEDERAL

3:49:59LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEW YORK

3:50:01CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 0 5 6

3:50:050 20 26 AS AN IMPORTANT

3:50:07OPPORTUNITY TO HELP DEVELOP AN

3:50:09INFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION

3:50:11FRAMEWORK FOR VA GUARANTEED CO

3:50:14OP HOUSING LOANS EXPANDING VA

3:50:16GUARANTEED FINANCE CORRUPTION

3:50:17HOUSING WILL ALLOW VETERANS T

3:50:20OHAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE

3:50:21HOME OWNERSHIP BENEFIT THEY

3:50:22EARNED THROUGH THEIR MILITARY

3:50:24SERVICE PROVIDE VETERANS WITH

3:50:26GREATER HOUSING CHOICE

3:50:28INCREASED ACCESS TO HOME

3:50:29OWNERSHIP ALLOW VETERANS AND

3:50:30THEIR FAMILIES TO BUILD EQUITY

3:50:33AND GENERATIONAL WEALTH AND

3:50:35HELP ADDRESS DISPARITIES IN

3:50:37VETERAN HOME OWNERSHIP AND

3:50:38HIGH COST URBAN COMMUNITIES

3:50:40.>>ON BEHALF OF THE JOINT

3:50:42VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WE

3:50:44RECOMMEND THAT THE NEW YORK

3:50:45CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISH A

3:50:48COORDINATED INITIATIVE

3:50:49INVOLVING THE NEW YORK CITY

3:50:50DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

3:50:53SERVICES D V S THE NEW YORK

3:50:55STATE OF HOUSING PRESERVATION

3:50:57AND DEVELOPMENT NEW YORK CITY

3:51:00HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

3:51:00CORPORATION THE NEW YORK CITY

3:51:02DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND

3:51:04WORKERS PROTECTION PARTICIPATE

3:51:06IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CO

3:51:08OP HOUSING AND VETERANS

3:51:09SERVING ORGANIZATIONS THIS

3:51:11INITIATIVE SHOULD ESTABLISH

3:51:13VETERANS CO OP HOME OWNERSHIP

3:51:17COUNSELING FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS N

3:51:20ELIGIBILITY DOWN PAYMENT OR

3:51:22CLOSING COSTS ASSISTANCE AND

3:51:24REFERRALS TO PARTICIPANT

3:51:26LENDERS IDENTIFIED COOPERATIVE

3:51:27HOUSING OPPORTUNITY IN NEW

3:51:28YORK CITY THAT QUALIFY FOR V A

3:51:32FINANCE ON THE FUTURE FEDERAL

3:51:34REQUIREMENTS EXAMINE CO OP

3:51:36CORPORATION POLICIES

3:51:38CONCERNING DOWN PAYMENTS

3:51:40FINANCIAL RESERVES DEBT INCOME D

3:51:43APPROVALS AND TRANSFER

3:51:45RESTRICTIONS TO DETERMINE HOW

3:51:46THESE REQUIREMENTS CAN

3:51:47INTERACT WITH V A LINDEN

3:51:49STANDARD STANDARDS COORDINATE

3:51:51HOME OWNERSHIP COUNSELING

3:51:53FINANCIAL READINESS WORKSHOP

3:51:55AND INFORMATION ABOUT

3:51:56APPLICABLE DOWN PAYMENT OR

3:51:58CLOSING COSTS ASSISTANCE

3:51:59PROGRAMS AND ENGAGED BANKS

3:52:01.>>CREDIT UNIONS AND OTHER

3:52:04LENDERS INSTITUTIONS T

3:52:05OIDENTIFY FINANCIAL AND

3:52:08REGULATORY BARRIERS AFFECTING

3:52:09THE VA GUARANTEED CO OP LUNGS

3:52:14TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND

3:52:14ACCOUNTABILITY I RECOMMEND

3:52:15THAT THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL

3:52:17COMMIT ON VETERANS ESTABLISHED

3:52:20GUARDRAILS FOR COLLECTING

3:52:21INFORMATION ON PARTICIPANT

3:52:23LENDERS ELIGIBLE COOPERATIVE

3:52:26DEVELOPMENTS VETERANS

3:52:27APPLICATIONS LOAN APPROVALS

3:52:28AND DENIALS AND COMPLETE

3:52:31PURCHASES AND ACCORDANCE WITH

3:52:33APPLICABLE PRIVACY

3:52:34.>>REQUIREMENTS AND DR BROWN

3:52:34I'M JUST GOING TO ASK YOU T

3:52:35OWRAP UP

3:52:36.>>YES THANK OK JUST TO WRAP UPA

3:52:42FORMAL INTERAGENCY

3:52:43COMPREHENSIVE REPORT FROM HPD

3:52:47TO IDENTIFY ANY ADDITIONAL

3:52:48STEPS THAT BE CONTINGENT ON

3:52:51CONGRESSIONAL ACTIONS AND THAT

3:52:52THEY ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL CITY

3:52:54RESOURCES OR LEGAL AUTHORITY

3:52:55THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

3:52:57.>>CONSIDERATION THANK YOU VERY

3:52:58MUCH MISTER GRAHAM HEY PERFECT

3:53:05HERE IT'S FUNNY I HAVE A GOOD

3:53:06MORNING ON HERE AH GOOD

3:53:09AFTERNOON CHAIRS AND MEMBERS

3:53:12OF THE COMMITTEES ON VETERANS

3:53:13AND GENERAL WELFARE THANK YOU

3:53:15FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY Q

3:53:21WAR VETERAN AND I SERVE AS THE

3:53:22CHAIR OF THE NEW YORK CITY

3:53:24VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD A

3:53:25MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL

3:53:27LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND

3:53:28STATE LEGISLATIVE VICE CHAIR

3:53:29FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK E

3:53:34RESPONSIBILITIES AND MY

3:53:35CONTINUED WORK WITH AND

3:53:36SUPPORT OF THE VETERANS OF THE

3:53:39FOREIGN WARS OF DEPARTMENT OF

3:53:41NEW YORK LEGISLATIVE

3:53:44LEADERSHIP TEAM I STRONGLY

3:53:45SUPPORT INTRODUCTION 1 0 5 2 1 R

3:53:51THESE MEASURES ADDRESS KEEPING

3:53:53VETERANS IN THEIR HOMES

3:53:55EXPANDING ACCESS T

3:53:56OHOMEOWNERSHIP AND

3:53:57STRENGTHENING THE

3:53:57ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP

3:53:58VETERANS NAVIGATE LIFE AFTER

3:54:01SERVICE INTRODUCTION HUNDRED 5

3:54:041 DESERVES A ATTENTION IN 2

3:54:05018 I WAS THE ORIGINAL WRITER

3:54:07OF THIS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

3:54:10PROPOSAL ADVANCED THROUGH THE

3:54:12QUEEN'S COUNTY COUNCIL

3:54:14LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND THEN

3:54:15ON TO WHICH WAS INTRODUCED BY

3:54:18A STATE SENATOR JOE ADOBO AND

3:54:20ASSEMBLYWOMAN STACEY PFEFFER

3:54:21AMATO THAT WORKED HELPED

3:54:24ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION FOR

3:54:25MY CONTINUED ADVOCACY ON THIS

3:54:26ISSUE WHICH I HAVE CARRIED

3:54:28FORWARD THROUGH MY ONGOING

3:54:29ROLE WITH AND SUPPORT OF OUR

3:54:31DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK

3:54:33LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

3:54:35FOR ME THIS IS A COMMITMENT

3:54:36THAT BEGAN EIGHT YEARS AGO AND

3:54:38CONTINUES TODAY I THANK

3:54:39COUNCIL MEMBER MORANO CHAIR

3:54:44I'LL PAUSE FOR A SECOND A LOT

3:54:47OF I'VE NOTICED QUITE A FEW

3:54:49LEGISLATURES ARE JUMPING ON

3:54:50BOARD WITH THIS BUFFALO JUST

3:54:52DID IT AND HOPEFULLY IT

3:54:53DOESN'T TAKE EIGHT YEARS TO D

3:54:54OTHIS HERE IN NEW YORK CITY

3:54:55HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET THIS

3:54:58THROUGH RIGHT AWAY UM

3:55:00FURTHERMORE FOR THESE VETERANS S

3:55:03OF SERVICE CAN LAST A LIFETIME N

3:55:08LIMIT EMPLOYMENT INCREASE THE

3:55:08COST OF THE OTHER LIVING AND

3:55:11PLACE ADDITIONAL

3:55:11RESPONSIBILITIES ON FAMILY

3:55:13CAREGIVERS PROPERTY TAXES

3:55:15REMAIN A RECURRING OBLIGATION

3:55:17EVEN WHEN A VETERAN'S ABILITY

3:55:19TO EARN ADDITIONAL INCOME IS

3:55:22PERMANENTLY CONSTRAINED THIS

3:55:23EXEMPTION WOULD PROVIDE

3:55:26MEANINGFUL STABILITY AND HELP

3:55:27ELIGIBLE VETERANS REMAIN IN

3:55:28THE COMMUNITIES THEY CALL HOME

3:55:30HOUSING POLICY MUST ALSO

3:55:32INCLUDE PREVENTING

3:55:33DISPLACEMENT BEFORE A VETERAN

3:55:34REACHES A SHELTERED DOOR

3:55:37KEEPING AN ELIGIBLE DISABLED

3:55:38VETERAN IN AN EXISTING HOME

3:55:40PRESERVES FAMILY STABILITY

3:55:42COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND

3:55:42ACCESS TO CARE THE COUNCIL NOW

3:55:45HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN

3:55:47STATE AUTHORIZATION INTO

3:55:49TANGIBLE LOCAL RELIEF I URGE

3:55:51PROMPT PASSAGE ACCOMPANIED BY

3:55:52A CLEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

3:55:53FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

3:55:55AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

3:55:58SERVICES THE SAME COMMITMENT

3:56:01TO HOUSING STABILITY MUST

3:56:01GUIDE OUR RESPONSE TO ONGOING

3:56:04ISSUES AT BORDEN AVENUES

3:56:06RESIDENCE AS CHAIR OF THE NEW

3:56:07YORK CITY VETERANS ADVISORY

3:56:08BOARD I TAKE THESE CONCERNS

3:56:10SERIOUSLY WE WILL BE PROVIDING

3:56:12RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAYOR

3:56:12AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND OUR

3:56:1620 26 NEW YORK CITY VA REPORT

3:56:19ON THE WAY FORWARD THOSE

3:56:20RECOMMENDATIONS WILL FOLLOW

3:56:22FURTHER REVIEW THE POINTS ARE

3:56:24OFFERED TODAY REFLECT AN

3:56:25INITIAL ASSESSMENT FIRST

3:56:26FUNDING THROUGH THE U S

3:56:27DEPARTMENT VETERANS AFFAIRS

3:56:29GPD PROGRAM MUST REMAIN

3:56:32AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT VETERANS

3:56:33WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES THESE

3:56:37SERVICES SUPPORTS TRANSITIONAL

3:56:38HOUSING AND SERVICES THAT HELP

3:56:39VETERANS MOVE TOWARD

3:56:41PERMITTING HOUSING GOING T

3:56:43OMOVE FORWARD AT THE TIME

3:56:47PRESERVING FEDERAL SUPPORT

3:56:48REQUIRES A SERIOUS EXAMINATION

3:56:50OF WHO IS ENTRUSTED TO DELIVER

3:56:53THE SERVICES THERE IS A

3:56:54LEGITIMATE QUESTION ABOUT

3:56:55WHETHER THE CURRENT PROVIDER

3:56:57SHOULD CONTINUE TO HOLD UP THE

3:57:00OPERATING CONTRACT THAT

3:57:01QUESTION SHOULD BE ANSWERED

3:57:03THROUGH A DOCUMENT A REVIEW OF

3:57:06CONTRACT COMPLIANCE CONDITIONS S

3:57:09CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AND

3:57:11PERMANENT HOUSING OUTCOMES THE

3:57:13CITY'S OPERATING CONTRACT AND

3:57:14THE VA IS GPD PROGRAM MUST BE

3:57:17EXAMINED BY THE RESPONSIBLE

3:57:21AUTHORITIES WITH COORDINATION

3:57:22BETWEEN THEM I'M GOING TO STOP

3:57:23RIGHT THERE I'VE GOT MORE HERE G

3:57:28TO COME OUT FROM THE B THAT

3:57:30SOMETHING LIKE THIS THIS

3:57:31THERE'S WAY TOO MUCH EVIDENCE

3:57:33ONE OF THE BIGGEST SMOKING

3:57:34GUNS WAS A FOUR REQUEST THAT I

3:57:38SAW UM IN A YEAR AND A HALF

3:57:39PERIOD THREE ON AVERAGE THREE

3:57:41A DAY 9 1 1 CALLS THAT'S A

3:57:43PROBLEM SOMEBODY HERE IN ONE

3:57:44OF THE PRIOR PANELS PANELS

3:57:47MENTIONED IT HONESTLY I MEAN

3:57:48SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF IT'S

3:57:49BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME

3:57:52YOU KNOW IT'S IT'S AND THEN

3:57:54THE OTHER BIG CONCERN I HAPPEN

3:57:56TO BE THERE AND WELL IN THE

3:57:59BACKGROUND WITH COUNCILMAN

3:57:59HUANG COUNCILWOMAN JULIE WAN

3:58:01NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL YOU'RE

3:58:03THE OVERSIGHT YOU SHOULD HAVE

3:58:04ACCESS TO THESE FACILITIES BUT G

3:58:10TO HAVE WE'RE GONNA HAVE

3:58:12SOMETHING EXTENSIVE IN OUR VA

3:58:13REPORT ESPECIALLY IN ON

3:58:14HOUSING SO THE COUNCIL AND THE

3:58:16MAYOR SIDE WILL SEE IT.

3:58:17>>BUT I MEAN FROM AN INITIAL

3:58:20ASSESSMENT I MEAN I'VE I'VE

3:58:21BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK A LONG

3:58:22TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS

3:58:23HONESTLY I DID SEVER THE

3:58:25CONTRACT YEAH AND I WOULD JUST

3:58:26DO A COMPLETE RESET THANK YOU

3:58:28GRAHAM FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU

3:58:30FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT

3:58:32YOU'VE DONE TO LAY THE

3:58:34GROUNDWORK FOR INTRO THOUSAND

3:58:3851 AND THE PROPERTY TAX

3:58:39EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED

3:58:40VETERANS THAT WERE THAT WERE

3:58:40TRYING TO PASS AND I AS FAR AS

3:58:43YOUR COMMENT ABOUT OVERSIGHT

3:58:46THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS

3:58:48THAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM COUNCIL

3:58:50MEMBERS TODAY I THINK THE ONE

3:58:51THING THAT UNITES ALL OF US IS

3:58:53THAT WE ALL AGREE THAT PART OF

3:58:56OUR OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY

3:58:56SHOULD BE ABLE TO INCLUDE

3:58:59DROPPING INTO BORDEN AVENUE

3:59:01AND SIMILAR SHELTERS WHENEVER

3:59:02WE'D LIKE SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

3:59:06>>FIGUEROA GOOD YEAH GOOD

3:59:08AFTERNOON EVERYBODY JUANA

3:59:10OTTO'S MY NAME IS IS JESSE

3:59:12FIGUEROA U S ARMY VETERAN I

3:59:15WAS A GUARDSMAN DURING 9 1

3:59:171RIGHT DOWN THE STREET WHERE IT

3:59:19HAPPENED 369 IN HARLEM HARLEM

3:59:23HEALTH FIGHTERS THAT DATES

3:59:24BACK TO WORLD WAR I UM I'M

3:59:27PUERTO RICAN I LIVE IN

3:59:28BROOKLYN I'M IN CITY COUNCIL

3:59:31DISTRICT 43 SO UM I WROTE I

3:59:34HAVE A TESTIMONY RIGHT HERE

3:59:36BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY BATTERY

3:59:37IS GOING TO DIE ANY MOMENT BUT

3:59:39HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED I WAS

3:59:40THERE ON BORDEN AVENUE OCTOBER

3:59:441 I WITNESSED EVERYTHING

3:59:46FIRSTHAND FROM OUTSIDE CLONING Y

3:59:49COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR Y AND

3:59:51JULIE WAN I CALL THEM THE TWIN

3:59:54W'S BUT I'M SAW WHAT HAPPENED

3:59:56OUTSIDE I HEARD TESTIMONY FROM

3:59:58THE FORMER RESIDENTS AND

4:00:00CURRENT RESIDENTS AND IT

4:00:01TURNED MY STOMACH UPSIDE DOWN

4:00:04AND AND AND THE TWO COUNCIL

4:00:06MEMBERS DID EXPECT EXERCISE

4:00:08WHAT WAS MANDATE MANDATE OF

4:00:09THE WHAT CITY CHARTERED

4:00:12WHATEVER WAS EXPLAINED AND IT

4:00:14WAS EMBARRASSING THE PREVIOUS

4:00:16SPEAKER WAS WAS WITH AND OTHER

4:00:19MIKE MATTRESS WAS WITH ME AND

4:00:22EVERYBODY ELSE WAS THERE AND

4:00:25IT WAS EMBARRASSMENT I WAS

4:00:26EMBARRASSED SHAME ON THE

4:00:28ORGANIZATION WHO RUNS IT I'M

4:00:29SORRY SHAME ON YOU HELL IS

4:00:31WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE WE ARE A

4:00:35WE VETERANS TOOK THAT FLAG ON

4:00:36FOR THAT FLAG RIGHT THERE

4:00:37EVERY DAY THAT'S THAT AND THE

4:00:39WAY THE POLL THE BLACK POLL

4:00:42WAS INCORRECTLY IT SHOULD

4:00:43SHOULD BE ON THE LEFT SIDE

4:00:45WHEN YOU WHEN YOU'RE WHEN

4:00:47YOU'RE OUTSIDE SUPPOSED TO BE

4:00:48THIS WAY NOT THAT WAY THAT WAS

4:00:51AN EMBARRASSMENT THAT I'M

4:00:51ASKING THAT THE PEOPLE THAT

4:00:55THE COUNCIL OVERSIGHTS THAT

4:00:56MATTER THAT WAS A DISTRICT

4:00:59TOTAL DISRESPECT OF OF US

4:01:00VETERANS WE WERE WE WERE BORN

4:01:03WE WERE BORN BY THE GRACE OF

4:01:05GOD THROUGH OUR FAMILIES WE

4:01:06ARE ALL CREATED EQUAL

4:01:08REGARDLESS OF RACE RELIGION

4:01:10COLOR GENDER ET CETERA AND WE

4:01:13ALL DESERVE A RESPECT AND WE

4:01:15DEMAND RESPECT WE WE ALL HAVE

4:01:17A PLACE TO LIVE I'M ALSO A

4:01:19TRAUMA SURVIVOR I'M NOT GOING

4:01:20TO BRING THAT UP RIGHT NOW AND D

4:01:24THAT'S THAT I'M VERY VERY

4:01:26DISAPPOINTED AT THE LOCAL

4:01:29ORGANIZATION AND WE ARE NOT

4:01:30GOING TO GIVE UP WE'RE GOING

4:01:33TO KEEP ADVOCATING UNTIL WE

4:01:35ARE ON OUR LAST BREATH IN WE

4:01:37WILL CALL ON THE ORGANIZATIONS

4:01:41LEADERSHIP TO COMPLETELY

4:01:46OAS I I LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND

4:01:50.>>ALSO THE MEMBER THE SAME

4:01:52THING WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE WE

4:01:55FAIL WE WE RESIGN THAT'S SAD

4:01:57THANK YOU

4:01:58.>>THANK YOU FIGARO MEGAT AND

4:02:01I'LL NOTE I HAD THE PRIVILEGE

4:02:03OF HEARING YOU AT THE NEW YORK

4:02:05STATE VETERANS SUMMIT AT THE

4:02:07INTREPID LAST WEEK AND AS

4:02:09ALWAYS YOUR WORDS WERE VERY

4:02:12IMPACTFUL AND FORCEFUL SO LOOK R

4:02:15TESTIMONY TODAY AS WELL THANK

4:02:22YOU ON BEHALF OF VETERAN

4:02:24ACTION NOW I'D LIKE TO THANK

4:02:25THIS COMMITTEE FOR THE

4:02:27OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR SOM

4:02:28EOF THEM FOR SOME OF NEW YORK

4:02:30CITY'S MOST VULNERABLE AND

4:02:33OFTEN FORGOTTEN RESIDENTS OUR

4:02:35VETERANS

4:02:35.>>BUT LET ME BE CLEAR BEING

4:02:38ALLOWED TO SPEAK IS NOT THE

4:02:39SAME AS BEING HEARD AND BEING

4:02:42THANKED FOR YOUR HOUR SERVICE

4:02:44IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING AS

4:02:48BEING SERVED ACCORDING TO THE

4:02:49NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLER NEW

4:02:53YORK CITY RECORDED

4:02:54APPROXIMATELY IN ASYLUM

4:02:58SEEKERS SPENDING AND FISCAL

4:02:59YEAR IN IN 20 25 THESE

4:03:13EXPENDITURES SUPPORTED THE

4:03:14CITY'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE

4:03:16INCLUDING SHELTER AND SERVICES S

4:03:21PRELIMINARY FISCAL YEAR 20 2

4:03:256BUDGET PROPOSED 5.9 MILLION

4:03:27FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN

4:03:29AND SERVICES APPROXIMATELY

4:03:33404000 LESS THAN FISCAL YEAR

4:03:3520 25.

4:03:37>>ADOPTED BUDGET TO BE PRECISE Y

4:03:43PROPOSAL NOT THE FINAL FISCAL

4:03:45NOT THE FINAL ADOPTED FIGURE

4:03:49THERE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES

4:03:51ARE DIFFERENT DIFFERENT

4:03:53CATEGORIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT

4:03:54OF VETERANS SERVICE BUDGET

4:03:57DOES NOT REPRESENT EVERY

4:04:00DOLLAR THE CITY SPENDS ON

4:04:01VETERANS BUT THAT DISTINCTION

4:04:03DOES NOT ERASE THE QUESTION

4:04:05FOR US WHERE'S THE SAME

4:04:08URGENCY WHEN A VETERAN NEEDS A

4:04:09PLACE TO LIVE

4:04:11.>>THIS IS NOT AN ARGUMENT

4:04:12AGAINST HELPING ASYLUM SEEKERS T

4:04:18ASKING VETERANS THIS IS AN

4:04:19ARGUMENT TO ASKING VETERANS

4:04:20NOT TO ACCEPT NEGLECT WE

4:04:22SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COMPETE

4:04:24WITH OTHER VULNERABLE

4:04:26POPULATION FOR BASIC DIGNITY

4:04:28AND SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

4:04:30.>>WHEN VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

4:04:33IT'S NOT SIMPLY A HOUSING

4:04:35PROBLEM IT'S A STATEMENT ABOUT

4:04:38OUR PRIORITIES BUDGETS REVEAL

4:04:39WHAT GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED T

4:04:42OFUND POLICIES REVEAL WHAT THE

4:04:43GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO

4:04:45PROTECT AND WHEN VETERANS

4:04:47REMAIN HOMELESS OR CANNOT

4:04:48AFFORD TO STAY IN THE CITY

4:04:50THAT THEY CALL HOME SPEECHES

4:04:52IS ABOUT ARE NOT ENOUGH TO THE

4:04:58MAYOR AND THE MEMBERS OF THIS

4:04:59COMMITTEE IF YOU BELIEVE

4:05:03VETERANS ARE A PRIORITY US

4:05:05SHOW US THE FUNDING THE

4:05:08HOUSING COMMITMENTS THE

4:05:12ENFORCEABLE PROTECTIONS

4:05:12.>>AND THE MEASURABLE RESULTS

4:05:15DO NOT POINT TO A PLOT WHEN WE

4:05:19ARE ASKING FOR A PLACE TO LIVE

4:05:22.>>I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN

4:05:25IMPORTANT DISTINCTION THE

4:05:26DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

4:05:27SERVICES IS NOT THE TARGET OF

4:05:31MY CRITICISM ITS STAFF MUST

4:05:32WORK WITHIN THE RESOURCES AND

4:05:35POLICY FRAMEWORK THAT THIS

4:05:37ADMINISTRATION AND THE CITY

4:05:39COUNCIL PROVIDE ON SEVERAL

4:05:40OCCASIONS I HAVE CONTACTED THE

4:05:43DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF

4:05:45VETERANS IN NEED ITS STAFF

4:05:48RESPONDED PROMPTLY AND HELPED

4:05:49RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES FOR THAT

4:05:51I OFFERED THE MISSUS YOUR

4:05:54THANK YOU BUT I INTEND TO KEEP

4:05:55A NEEDLE ON THE RECORD PUT

4:05:58RESPONSIBILITY WHERE IT

4:05:59BELONGS WITH THE ELECTED

4:06:02OFFICIALS WHO SET THE PRIORITY

4:06:05RIGHT THE BUDGET AND DECIDE

4:06:07WHAT GETS DONE IN MY

4:06:11EXPERIENCE THIS CITY THIS

4:06:13STATE AND THIS ADMINISTRATION

4:06:16HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED THE

4:06:18COMMITMENT VETERANS DESERVE

4:06:19ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PERSONALLY

4:06:22ASKED THE MAYOR WHETHER HE WAS

4:06:24ANTI VETERAN HE SAID TO ME NO

4:06:26AND ASKED WHY WOULD I ASK THAT

4:06:27QUESTION I TOLD HIM I HAD NOT

4:06:30HEARD OR I HAD NOT HEARD HIM

4:06:32MENTION VETERANS DURING HIS

4:06:33CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR THAT

4:06:36ABSENCE MATTER TO ME SO DID

4:06:39HIS DECISION TO ENDORSE

4:06:41SOMEONE FOR CONGRESS WHOM I

4:06:43BELIEVE HAD AN ATTACK.

4:06:45>>AND BELITTLED OUR COMMUNITY

4:06:47WHEN VETERANS ARE DISPARAGE WE

4:06:50DESERVE LEADERSHIP WILLING T

4:06:52OSTAND WITH US NOT POLITICAL

4:06:55ENDORSEMENTS THAT LEAVE LEAVE

4:06:57US QUESTIONING WHERE DO WE

4:07:01STAND WE SERVE TWO DEFEND THE

4:07:03CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED

4:07:05STATES WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WE

4:07:07SHOULD NOT RETURN HOME ONLY T

4:07:09OFEEL INVISIBLE BY GOVERNMENT

4:07:12WE SERVE WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR

4:07:15SPECIAL TREATMENT WE ARE

4:07:16DEMANDING THAT THE CITY

4:07:18PROMISES MEANS SOMETHING WE

4:07:22ARE NOT WAR CRIMINALS AND A

4:07:24CARDBOARD BOX

4:07:25.>>IS NOT A MEDAL A SHELTER BED

4:07:27IS NOT A HOUSING POLICY AND

4:07:30WAREHOUSING VETERANS IS NOT

4:07:32THE SAME AS BEING AS BRINGING

4:07:35THEM HOME WE ARE YOUR

4:07:36NEIGHBORS WORKERS PARENTS

4:07:39CAREGIVERS COMMUNITY LEADERS

4:07:40WE DESERVE SAFE STABLE HOUSING

4:07:44THAT GENUINELY A FAULT THAT'S

4:07:47GENUINELY AFFORDABLE NOT

4:07:50MERELY LABELED AFFORDABLE

4:07:50WHILE IT'S BEYOND OUR REACH SO

4:07:55DO WE NOT SO DO NOT SIMPLY

4:07:56THANK US FOR OUR SERVICE SHOW

4:07:59US IN YOUR BUDGET AND YOUR

4:08:02POLICIES THAT OUR LIVES MATTER

4:08:03AFTER THE SERVICE ENDS THANK

4:08:04YOU THANK YOU MAGGOT YES SIR

4:08:09.>>JUST POINT THE MICROPHONE

4:08:12AND

4:08:12.>>TOWARDS YOU AND KEEP IT

4:08:14CLOSE ALL RIGHT SO SORRY

4:08:15BROTHER SO I'VE NEVER DONE

4:08:17THIS BEFORE THAT'S THERE'S A

4:08:19PRETTY GOOD CHANCE I MIGHT BE

4:08:20THE YOUNGEST VETERAN IN HERE

4:08:21SO I HOPE EVERYONE BEARS WITH

4:08:23ME UM FIRST THINGS FIRST IT'S

4:08:25BEEN LIKE A LOT OF HEAVY ADULT

4:08:27ENERGY TODAY SO I'M GOING T

4:08:27OSAY LET'S GO KNICKS AND GET

4:08:29THAT OUT THERE YOU GO YEAH I

4:08:30MEAN AND EVEN BEFORE THE LET'S

4:08:32GO NEXT TELL US TELL US YOUR

4:08:33NAME SO EVERYBODY KNOWS FOR

4:08:35THE RECORD WHO I'M SUPPOSED T

4:08:36OSAY GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR

4:08:39MEMBERS OF THE VETERAN AND

4:08:42GENERAL WELFARE COMMITTEES MY

4:08:44NAME IS DAVID KELLY I'M A

4:08:49MGONNA BE FOUR YEARS IN ABOUT

4:08:51SUPER HAPPY TO BE HERE SUPER

4:08:53HAPPY TO BE ENGAGING WITH

4:08:55EVERYONE I'M SUPER HAPPY TO BE

4:08:56A PART OF THIS PROCESS TODAY

4:09:00UM I'LL TAKE YOU GUYS BACK I'M

4:09:01GONNA SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF

4:09:02STORY I WAS GOING TO LIKE YOU

4:09:03KNOW JUST TALK BUT

4:09:05.>>I'M 20 19 MY MOM AND TRIGGER

4:09:08WARNING NO PROFANITY BUT I'M

4:09:09JUST GONNA OPEN UP TO YOU GUYS

4:09:11FROM CAN JUST REALLY

4:09:12STRAIGHTFORWARD OUT THERE MY

4:09:13MOM SHE PASSED AWAY FROM

4:09:15CANCER IN 20 19

4:09:15.>>OR AS SHE GOT DIAGNOSED IN

4:09:1720 19 I WENT TO BOOT CAMP IN

4:09:21OF 20 20 AND SHE PASSED AWAY

4:09:22IN OF 20 20 MY MOM WAS THE

4:09:24MAIN CATALYST BEHIND ME

4:09:25JOINING THE MARINE CORPS UM I

4:09:28GOT A I GOT OUT A COUPLE YEARS

4:09:31AGO AH BECAUSE OF COVID I

4:09:32COULDN'T GO HOME FOR HER

4:09:34FUNERAL MY MOM PASSED IN I

4:09:35DIDN'T GET BACK HOME TO KANSAS

4:09:38UNTIL UM SO I FINISHED MY I

4:09:41FINISHED MY COMMITMENT AND I

4:09:44RESET I'M 28 YEARS OLD I WAS

4:09:46ABOUT IT'S GONNA BE FOUR YEARS I

4:09:50WAS IN I'M OUT AND THE ENTIRE

4:09:52TIME THAT I'VE BEEN IN NEW

4:09:54YORK I'VE HAD THE IMMENSE

4:09:56PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE OF

4:09:57FIGURING IT OUT MY IN MY MID

4:09:5920s IT'S BEEN GREAT AS FAR AS

4:10:02WORKING FOR I DON'T KNOW IF

4:10:03I'M ALLOWED TO SAY MY

4:10:05ORGANIZATION BECAUSE I'M NOT

4:10:06REALLY HIGH UP ON THE TOTEM

4:10:07POLE LIKE THAT BUT I AM A

4:10:09.>>ENHANCED HARM REDUCTION

4:10:11SPECIALIST TURNED VETERAN

4:10:12OUTREACH SPECIALIST AS OF THIS

4:10:16PAST AND BEING A VETERAN

4:10:18MYSELF AND INFANTRY VETERAN

4:10:20PEACETIME PEACETIME THAT I

4:10:22DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT YOU

4:10:22KNOW I GOT TRAINED TO DO THAT

4:10:24I'M ABLE TO BUILD A RAPPORT

4:10:25WITH PEOPLE ON THE STREETS I

4:10:26FEEL LIKE I OFFER A UNIQUE

4:10:28PERSPECTIVE TO EVERYONE HERE

4:10:29AS FAR AS WHAT OUTREACH

4:10:31SPECIALISTS GO THROUGH ON A

4:10:31DAY TO DAY BASIS UM THE IMPACT

4:10:34THAT I'VE BEEN BEEN PERSONALLY

4:10:37LIKE A PART OF A MEETING

4:10:38THEY'RE AT THE WORK THAT WE

4:10:40ALL DO I BELIEVE YOU GUYS SAID

4:10:43IT WAS SOMETHING HUNDRED 87

4:10:45SORRY I WAS LISTENING BUT I

4:10:46YOU KNOW I GOT ONE OF THOSE

4:10:47YOUNG ATTENTION SPANS WE HAD A

4:10:50CODE BLUE SOMETIME IN RIGHT OF

4:10:53THIS YEAR I WAS WORKING WHEN

4:10:55THAT HAPPENED.

4:10:56>>IT WAS AN OVERTIME

4:10:57OPPORTUNITY FOR ME AND I WAS

4:10:59PERSONALLY ABLE TO SEE THE

4:10:59IMPACT THAT IT HAD ON GETTING

4:11:01PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS WHEN IT

4:11:02WAS TOO COLD TO BE OUT ON THE

4:11:04STREETS ET ME EVERYTHING

4:11:05THAT'S GOING ON WITH LIKE THE

4:11:08HOUSING STUFF AH I I FEEL LIKE

4:11:09BECAUSE I'M NOT FROM NEW YORK

4:11:11I MIGHT BE MISSPEAKING AS WELL A

4:11:15LOT OF INTERSECTIONALITY

4:11:17BETWEEN HARM REDUCTION AND THE

4:11:18HOMELESSNESS STUFF GOING ON.

4:11:20>>WHEN IT COMES T

4:11:20OINTERLINKING AND CORRELATING

4:11:22LIKE CERTAIN SERVICES TOGETHER .

4:11:24>>WE HAVEN'T FROM WHAT I'VE

4:11:26HEARD SO FAR TODAY

4:11:27.>>I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENS

4:11:28AT A DIFFERENT TIME BUT THE

4:11:30HARM REDUCTION A SPHERE WE DO

4:11:33A REALLY GOOD JOB OF MEETING

4:11:36VETERANS AND I WANT TO SAY THE

4:11:38ONE THING I WILL QUOTE IS THE

4:11:39CONTRACT THAT I WORK UNDER FOR

4:11:41MY NONPROFIT IS A 2 0 6 20.

4:11:45>>PRIORITY POPULATIONS

4:11:46SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS I

4:11:47DIDN'T HEAR THAT GET MENTIONED

4:11:49AT ALL TODAY AS FAR AS LIKE A

4:11:50MODALITY FOR HELPING VETERANS

4:11:55ALSO A IF ANYONE WANTS LIKE

4:11:57YOU KNOW I DON'T KNOW WHERE MY

4:11:59TIME IS BUT WE GOT 118 SO I'LL

4:12:02OPEN IT UP FOR QUESTIONS YOU

4:12:04GUYS CAN ASK LIKE YOU KNOW

4:12:05WHAT A NICE LOOKING YOUNG MAN

4:12:06ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT FIRST

4:12:09OF ALL SORRY ABOUT YOUR MOM'S

4:12:11.>>PASSING THANK YOU FOR YOUR

4:12:12SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR

4:12:13BEING HERE TODAY AND I'M

4:12:15ASSUMING SINCE YOU MOVED HERE

4:12:18FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT YOU

4:12:19PROBABLY LIVE IN CHAIR

4:12:20HUDSON'S DISTRICT RIGHT

4:12:22.>>AH SO MY FIRST APARTMENT WAS

4:12:25ACTUALLY I DON'T KNOW THE

4:12:25DISTRICTS I'M NOT GOING TO LIE

4:12:28TO YOU WELL WHAT BOROUGH DO

4:12:29YOU LIVE IN.

4:12:30>>OH MANHATTAN OKAY ALL RIGHT

4:12:33SO UH BUT I LIVE UP IN HARLEM

4:12:35AND I WORK IN HARLEM IN THE

4:12:36BRONX AGAIN I DON'T KNOW WHAT

4:12:37I'M ALLOWED TO SAY NOT SAY SO

4:12:38I'M NOT GONNA NAME DROP MY

4:12:40PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT YEAH GIVE

4:12:44US YOUR APARTMENT

4:12:44.>>NUMBER

4:12:45.>>THE SOCIAL RIGHT AFTER THAT

4:12:46I GOT YOU THANK YOU

4:12:47.>>THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING

4:12:48YOU'RE DOING IN THE NONPROFIT

4:12:49SECTOR THANK YOU FOR BEING

4:12:52HERE YOU DID GREAT EVERY FIRST

4:12:55TIME PERSON TESTIFYING SHOULD

4:12:56DO AS WELL AS YOU'VE DONE AND

4:12:58I APPRECIATE I APPRECIATE THE

4:12:59GUIDANCE FOR THE COMMITTEE AS

4:13:00WELL AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE

4:13:01THANK YOU VERY.

4:13:02>>MUCH I DO HAVE OH DO YOU

4:13:04HAVE A QUESTION.

4:13:04>>NO GO AHEAD OH I HAVE 1 1

4:13:06QUESTION SO WHAT WOULD YOU SAY

4:13:08FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE YOU DO

4:13:11STREET OUTREACH IS THAT

4:13:12CORRECT YES

4:13:12.>>SO WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ACROSS

4:13:15ALL POPULATIONS ARE JUST

4:13:16SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS

4:13:19EXPERIENCING HOMELESS SO.

4:13:20>>PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS A

4:13:22PERCENTAGE OF THOSE FOLKS ARE

4:13:24VETERANS AND WE SPECIFICALLY

4:13:25STARTED FOCUSING ON VETERANS

4:13:27AS OF OF THIS YEAR WITH THAT

4:13:28NEW

4:13:28.>>CONTRACT BUT BEFORE THAT O

4:13:30HSORRY NO NO PLEASE BEFORE THATN

4:13:33RESPONSIBILITY WAS TO BE A

4:13:36ENHANCED HARM REDUCTION

4:13:37SPECIALISTS AND THEN YOU KNOW

4:13:38IT CHANGED WITH THE NEW

4:13:39CONTRACT AND NOW I'M A VETERAN

4:13:41OUTREACH SPECIALIST SO I'M

4:13:42TALKING TO SAME FOLKS I THINK

4:13:45WORKING AS A JUST A HARM

4:13:46REDUCTION SPECIALIST AND JUST

4:13:47WORKING WITH LIKE YOUR AVERAGE

4:13:48DINNERS IN THAT SOME IN THE

4:13:51TRANSIENT POPULATION AND ALL

4:13:52THOSE UH LIKE REALLY REALLY

4:13:56LIKE FOR FORMATIVE DAYS OF

4:13:58WORK THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED ON

4:13:59THE FRONT LINES THERE I WILL

4:14:01SAY THAT THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE

4:14:02I'VE SEEN IN THESE LAST COUPLE

4:14:04MONTHS IT'S ADJACENT TO THE

4:14:05SAME CHALLENGES THAT WE SEE IN

4:14:06HARM REDUCTION JUST IN GENERAL

4:14:09LINKAGES OF SERVICES LINKAGES

4:14:11TO CARE A FOLLOW UPS JUST

4:14:13SURFACE LEVEL BEING ABLE TO

4:14:16LIKE COME INTO LIKE A NEW

4:14:17ORGANIZATION I FOUND OUT WHAT

4:14:20AN MOU WAS THIS EARLIER THIS

4:14:21YEAR DON'T TELL MY BOSS THAT

4:14:23LIKE UM IT'S BEEN A LOT BUT

4:14:24IT'S BEEN IT'S BEEN IT'S BEEN

4:14:26A GOOD A LOT YOU KNOW BECAUSE

4:14:28I'M HELPING HIM HELPING NEW

4:14:29YORK

4:14:29.>>ER'S I'M A NEW YORK ER NOW

4:14:31WELL YOU'LL SEE I HAVE TO BE

4:14:32HERE FOR LIKE SEVEN YEARS T

4:14:34OACTUALLY BE A NEW YORKER IS

4:14:35WHAT I'VE HEARD

4:14:35.>>BUT MOST PEOPLE SAY 10 BUT

4:14:38OK IT'S NOT YES SO I GOT SEVEN

4:14:40MORE WE'RE GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD .

4:14:44>>SO YOU KNOW I APPRECIATE

4:14:45YOUR WORK I'M JUST TRYING T

4:14:46OGET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING SO

4:14:48DO YOU HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY

4:14:51CLIENTS.

4:14:52>>SO THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF

4:14:53OUTREACH WE'RE OUTSIDE WITH

4:14:54THAT AND WE REACH OUT AND

4:14:56TOUCH PEOPLE LIKE AT AND T

4:14:56LIKE HEY HOW ARE YOU TODAY WE

4:14:59HAVE INCENTIVES OF COURSE WE

4:15:00HAVE A JUST CONVERSATIONS BUT

4:15:02THERE'S A THERE'S THERE'S A

4:15:04LOT OF WAYS TO REACH OUT BUT

4:15:07JUST TO SORRY JUST TO CLARIFY

4:15:08YOU'RE SERVING EVERYBODY NOT

4:15:12SO ONLY VETERANS BECAUSE I

4:15:13GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET

4:15:14AT IS HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY

4:15:16WHETHER SOMEBODY IS A VETERAN

4:15:18OR NOT IF THEY'RE EXPERIENCING

4:15:19HOMELESSNESS ON THE STREET.

4:15:20>>I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW

4:15:21TO WORK THAT WITHOUT NAME

4:15:22DROPPING MY PLACE OF

4:15:25EMPLOYMENT

4:15:25.>>YOU WEAR LIKE BRANDED

4:15:27CLOTHING OR CLOTHING OR

4:15:27SOMETHING YES WE BRAND UM WE

4:15:29ALL SAID IT WAS I GIVING IT.

4:15:33>>NO OKAY I'M SORRY ARE YOU

4:15:34LEAVING YOUR PLACE OF

4:15:35EMPLOYMENT I DON'T THINK IS A

4:15:37NEGATIVE AND CERTAINLY I MEAN

4:15:39THEY

4:15:40.>>OH THEY CAN'T HOLD THAT

4:15:42AGAINST YOU FOR FOR UNITED FOR

4:15:44EVERYONE AND YOUR HERE INSTEAD U

4:15:51SLIKE THIS IS VETERAN FOCUSED

4:15:54THAT'S IT LITERALLY IN JOB JOB

4:15:56DESCRIPTION VETERAN OUTREACH

4:15:57SPECIALIST SO I FEEL LIKE I

4:15:58WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE I WILL

4:16:01SAY I PROBABLY COULD HAVE

4:16:03PRACTICE THE WORDS A LITTLE

4:16:04BIT BETTER I'M A LITTLE

4:16:06NERVOUS NOW BUT YEAH LIKE

4:16:08HOPEFULLY I ANSWERED YOUR

4:16:09QUESTION DID I IF NOT PLEASE

4:16:11TELL ME BECAUSE I'M LEARNING

4:16:12SO MUCH TODAY SO MUCH.

4:16:14>>YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH AND

4:16:15LIKE CHAIR OF A GREAT JOB A

4:16:17GREAT JOB I'M JUST TRYING T

4:16:18OGET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AS

4:16:20FAR AS THE WORK THAT YOU DO

4:16:22AND YOU'RE EXPERIENCE WHEN

4:16:23YOU'RE DOING YOUR OUTREACH HOW

4:16:25ARE YOU SPECIFICALLY

4:16:26IDENTIFYING WHO IS A VETERAN

4:16:27THAT'S SLEEPING ON THE STREET.

4:16:28>>YOU TALKED TO.

4:16:29>>OKAY SO IF SOMEBODY IS NOT A

4:16:31VETERAN.

4:16:31>>THEN THEY WOULD STILL BE

4:16:32ABLE TO RECEIVE HARM REDUCTION

4:16:34.>>SERVICES SO IF THEY NEED

4:16:35LIKE A WOUND CARE KIT SO

4:16:38YOU'RE TALKING TO EVERYBODY

4:16:39AND THEN YOU'RE YOU'RE GIVING

4:16:40PARTICULAR FOCUS TO THOSE WHO

4:16:42BE

4:16:42.>>VETERANS AND I'M GIVING

4:16:43REFERRALS TO EVERYONE ELSE GOT

4:16:45IT OKAY THANK YOU

4:16:47.>>THANK YOU A TERRIFIC JOB

4:16:49THANK YOU UM THEN LET'S GO T

4:16:55OGIBSON WELL OKAY OKAY OKAY

4:16:56OKAY OKAY GOOD AFTERNOON ALL

4:16:59MY MY NAME IS WILLIAM GIBSON

4:17:02AH LAST PLACE I SERVED WAS THE

4:17:05FIGHTING 69 UNIT NOT TOO FAR

4:17:07FROM HERE I'M WHAT YOU WOULD

4:17:09CALL THEY WOULD SAY THEY WOULD

4:17:10CALL ME THE THE GUY FROM THE

4:17:14CHEMICAL OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

4:17:17FOR THE ARMY.

4:17:17>>UH I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT

4:17:21BEAUTY IS SUBJECTIVE AND

4:17:23THERE'S NUANCE TO EVERYTHING

4:17:26AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I

4:17:29CURRENTLY STAIR BOARDING AND

4:17:32I'VE BEEN THERE FOR A LITTLE

4:17:35WHILE.

4:17:35>>I HAD TO GO THROUGH NUMEROUS

4:17:38PERSONAL CHALLENGES WHILE

4:17:40BEING THERE

4:17:41.>>I'VE BEEN TO NINE FUNERALS

4:17:43SINCE I'VE BEEN IN BOARDING

4:17:45FAMILY FRIENDS AND ALSO ONE OF

4:17:47THOSE WAS INCLUDING MY FATHER

4:17:49WHO DIED LAST YEAR

4:17:53.>>I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT

4:17:54THANK YOU I WOULD LIKE TO SAY

4:17:58THAT

4:17:58.>>YES BORDEN DOES NEED HELP

4:18:01THERE'S IMPROVEMENTS THAT

4:18:02SHOULD BE MADE THE BUILDING

4:18:04NEEDS TO BE FIXING GET ALL THE

4:18:08FOOD NEEDS HELP YES BUT

4:18:10THERE'S NUANCE TO EVERYTHING

4:18:17THE LIBRARY YOU KNOW WE HAVE

4:18:17ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY BUT WHEN

4:18:20THERE'S A GROUP GOING ON BEING

4:18:22THAT THAT'S THE PUBLIC PLACE

4:18:24THEN IT'S CLOSED OFF FOR THAT

4:18:26GROUP TO COMMENCE AFTER THE

4:18:28GROUP IS OVER THEN THE LIBRARY

4:18:31IS OPEN BACK TO THE PUBLIC BUT

4:18:33IT'S ALSO CLOSED OVERNIGHT

4:18:35BECAUSE THE REC ROOM IN THE

4:18:39CAFETERIA OPENED FOR EVERYBODY T

4:18:43AND WATCH AND TALK AND DO

4:18:46THINGS THERE'S NUANCE T

4:18:49OEVERYTHING THERE'S GOOD

4:18:51SOLDIERS

4:18:51.>>AND BAD SOLDIERS TO THE

4:18:55RULES OF EATING WE'RE NOT

4:18:57ALLOWED TO BRING FOOD IN AND

4:18:58IF YOU DO THERE'S THE BLUE

4:19:00ROOM THAT'S OFF TO THE SIDE

4:19:02WHICH IS A SMALL LITTLE SPACE

4:19:03YOU CAN EAT THERE BUT YOU

4:19:05CAN'T GO NO FURTHER THEN THERE

4:19:10ONCE AGAIN THERE IS NUANCE T

4:19:12OEVERYTHING WITH THE STAFF

4:19:17BEING THERE

4:19:18.>>IT'S A TWO WAY STREET YOU

4:19:20HAVE TO MEET WITH THE STAFF

4:19:23THEY PUT OUT NOTICES

4:19:27APPOINTMENT SLIPS

4:19:28.>>THERE'S EVEN YOU KNOW SLIPS

4:19:30THAT COME OUT AND SAID HEY

4:19:31WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO DO A

4:19:36ROOM CHECK SO THERE'S AN

4:19:36ACCOUNTABILITY THERE THAT'S

4:19:37ALSO ON THE RESIDENCE KEEP

4:19:38YOUR PLACE CLEAN KEEP

4:19:41EVERYTHING DRESSED RIGHT AS WE

4:19:43WOULD SAY IN THE MILITARY.

4:19:45>>BUT THAT AIN'T THE CASE WITH

4:19:46A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THIS IS

4:19:52NOT THE PUT EVERYBODY ON FRONT

4:19:55STREET BUT ACCOUNTABILITY CAN

4:19:57GO BOTH WAYS YOU KNOW THE

4:19:59STAFF CAN'T CHASE US ALL DOWN

4:20:01AND HAVE US MEET WITH THEM NOW

4:20:04ME WHEN I FIRST GOT THERE I

4:20:06WAS VERY SILENT BECAUSE YOU

4:20:08DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK T

4:20:11OANYBODY ABOUT YOUR SITUATION

4:20:13BUT WHILE BEING THERE I'VE HAD

4:20:15TIME TO SELF EXAMINE ME MY

4:20:19LIFE AND NOW I HAVEN'T A TEAM

4:20:20THAT'S WORKING WITH ME AND

4:20:22WHEN I NEED THAT'S ALL THEY

4:20:24LET ME KNOW THAT I CAN TALK

4:20:25WHICH I'M STILL TRYING TO GET

4:20:27USED TO ACCEPTING THAT BECAUSE

4:20:29I'M USED TO DOING EVERYTHING

4:20:30ON MY OWN BUT I WOULD SAY

4:20:34Y'ALL IS THE POLITICAL CHAIR

4:20:35THAT YOU VET ALL YOUR

4:20:41INFORMATION WISELY YOU CHECK

4:20:42OUT THE PLACE INVENTED WISELY

4:20:47YOU LISTEN TO THE COMPLAINTS

4:20:51WISELY YOU WATCH WHAT I SEE O

4:20:55DO WISELY BECAUSE THAT'S YOUR

4:20:56JOB THE VET AND YOU SHOULD BE

4:20:59CHECKING OUT EVERYTHING JUST

4:21:00NOT A LITTLE SMALL POCKET OF

4:21:03THINGS SAYING THAT STACK NO

4:21:06CHECK OUT EVERYTHING TRY T

4:21:07OGET A GOOD LOOK AT THE PLACE

4:21:08WHEN IT'S RUNNING DURING ITS

4:21:11REGULAR OPERATION THEN YOU'LL

4:21:12GET TO SEE THE FULL PICTURE

4:21:16.>>YOU KNOW SO THERE'S GOOD AND

4:21:17BAD AIR BOARDING YES GOOD AND

4:21:22BAD AND YET THERE'S A LOT OF

4:21:23THINGS THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED

4:21:24AND WORKED ON.

4:21:26>>AND WHEN IT COMES TO STAFF

4:21:30KNEE IT AIN'T NOT PERFECT BUT

4:21:32AT THE SAME TIME YOU KNOW WE

4:21:33HAVE TO DO OUR PART AS WELL SO

4:21:35IT'S A TWO WAY STREET INSIDE

4:21:38AND I JUST HOPE THAT YOU KNOW

4:21:42YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO LISTEN T

4:21:45OUNDERSTAND

4:21:45.>>NOT LISTEN TO RESPOND

4:21:49BECAUSE LISTENING IS TRULY A

4:21:52SKILL ALSO WATCHING AND SEEING

4:21:56WHAT'S GOING ON A AND SO

4:22:00GIBSON JUST TO BE CLEAR AND

4:22:00FOR EVERYBODY YOU'RE CURRENTLY

4:22:01A RESIDENT AT GORDON HOW LONG

4:22:03YOU BEEN THERE I'VE BEEN THERE

4:22:05SINCE OF 2025 WITH A BREAK IN

4:22:09BETWEEN THE BERRY MY DAD AND

4:22:12CAME BACK WHAT IS IF YOU HAD

4:22:14TO PICK THE SINGLE BIGGEST

4:22:16PROBLEM WITH CONDITIONS

4:22:17IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW WOW IF YOU

4:22:30WANT TO HAHA.

4:22:35>>PICK ONE THING WE'LL PICK

4:22:37TWO NO UM WELL IT WOULD BE

4:22:40GREAT TO HAVE THE GPD COME

4:22:43BACK BECAUSE THAT ALLOWED

4:22:45EXTRA TIME FOR ME TO BE ABLE

4:22:47TO REACH OUT WITH MY FAMILY

4:22:54EIN THE AND WITH THE GPD RULE

4:22:56THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE ME

4:22:58LONGER BECAUSE NOW THEY CAN NO Y

4:23:00MEMBER THAT WILL SEE THEM

4:23:02.>>EVERY SO OFTEN AND THEY'RE

4:23:05NOT ALONE ONCE THE GPD RULE

4:23:08GOT CUT WHAT'S BEEN YOUR

4:23:10EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF HOW

4:23:12HELPFUL THE I STAFF HAS BEEN

4:23:15IN TERMS OF GETTING YOU TO

4:23:17TRANSITION INTO MORE PERMANENT

4:23:20HOUSING WELL WOULD THE STAFF

4:23:23THEY'VE BEEN VERY

4:23:24UNDERSTANDING OF ME AS A

4:23:25PERSON

4:23:25.>>BECAUSE WHAT YOU GOT T

4:23:27OUNDERSTAND IS THEY'RE ALL THE

4:23:29RESIDENTS THERE AT BOARD AND

4:23:30GOT AN ISSUE GOING ON.

4:23:32>>NOW WHETHER OR NOT THERE

4:23:33GOING TO YOU KNOW LOOK AT IT

4:23:37OR THEY'RE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT

4:23:39IT NOT TALK ABOUT IT SEE

4:23:40THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE BECAUSE

4:23:43WHAT I FEEL THE STAFF IS DONE

4:23:44WITH ME THEY TRIED T

4:23:46OUNDERSTAND ME FIRST AS AN

4:23:48INDIVIDUAL SO WHEN I FIRST GOT

4:23:49THERE I WASN'T ABLE TO REALLY

4:23:52TALK AND EXPRESS MYSELF LIKE I

4:23:54DO NOW AND THEY ALLOWED ME T

4:23:57OROOM TO SORT OF COME TO THEM

4:24:00AND ONE THEY HEARD EVERYTHING

4:24:02THAT I HAVE GOING ON THEY WERE

4:24:04LIKE OH WOW YOU KNOW SO THEY

4:24:09DO THEIR BEST I FEEL NOT TO

4:24:11BREATHE DOWN YOUR NECK BUT AT

4:24:13THE SAME TIME MEET WITH THEM

4:24:14.>>SO THE THING THAT IF YOU GO

4:24:17THERE AND BRING UP MY NAME

4:24:19WATCH HOW THE STAFF REACTS.

4:24:22>>BECAUSE EVEN WHEN I WAS

4:24:23SILENT WHEN THAT NOTICE CAME

4:24:25UNDER THE DOOR I MADE SURE

4:24:27THEY SAW ME SO THAT THEIR WORK

4:24:29CAN BE DONE.

4:24:30>>BECAUSE YOU GOT TO REMEMBER

4:24:31THEY GET AUDITED MY LAST

4:24:33QUESTION AND THEN I'LL DEFER

4:24:35TO COLLEAGUES IS YOU KNOW WE

4:24:36HEARD A LOT FROM PEOPLE AND IN

4:24:41THE PRESS THAT MAYBE THE

4:24:43PICTURE THAT THAT GOT WHEN I

4:24:44VISITED BORDEN AVENUE WASN'T

4:24:46AN ACCURATE ONE MAYBE THEY

4:24:48TRIED TO GET EVERYTHING

4:24:49CLEANED UP AND GIVE RESIDENTS

4:24:51WARNINGS HEY CLEAN UP YOUR

4:24:52URINE CONTAINERS SO ON AND SO

4:24:54FORTH A BASED ON YOUR

4:24:56EXPERIENCE IS THAT ACCURATE DO

4:24:58THEY TRY TO UM PUT A PUT THEIR

4:25:01BEST FOOT FORWARD WHEN THERE

4:25:03ARE VISITORS OR DID I GET A AN

4:25:06ACCURATE PICTURE OF WHAT

4:25:07HAPPENED WHEN I VISITED

4:25:08.>>WELL I CAN SPEAK TO THAT

4:25:12VERY WELL.

4:25:13>>SO WITH THAT BEING SAID THE

4:25:15MAINTENANCE STAFF THERE CLEANS

4:25:17THE PLACE VERY REGULARLY OKAY

4:25:20ALL THE TIME IRRESPECTIVE OF

4:25:21ALL THE TIME NOW I WILL SAY

4:25:23IT'S BEEN MORE CLEANER OF LATE

4:25:28BECAUSE WE'VE HAD FROM MY

4:25:31UNDERSTANDING UM THAT YOU KNOW

4:25:33THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT'S

4:25:34BEEN THERE WERE VERY LOW AT

4:25:36ONE POINT.

4:25:36>>BUT NOW WITHIN THE PAST

4:25:38COUPLE OF WEEKS NEW FACE NEW

4:25:42FACE NEW FACE WITHIN THE PAST

4:25:43COUPLE OF WEEKS SO WITH THAT

4:25:46BEING SAID WHEN IT COMES T

4:25:49OURINE CONTAINERS.

4:25:49>>I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT GET

4:25:51ON THE RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEIR

4:25:54ROOMS CLEAN

4:25:54.>>BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PERSONAL

4:25:56SPACE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE AND

4:25:58OTHER RESIDENTS OTHER SHELTERS

4:25:59DON'T HAVE A PERSONAL SPACE

4:26:02KEEP IT CLEAN AND WHEN IT

4:26:03COMES TO THE URINE CONTAINERS

4:26:07DUMP THEM WASIM CONTAIN M SO

4:26:09WHEN THE STAFF NEEDS TO COME

4:26:10TO YOUR ROOM ADORE ROOM CHECK

4:26:12THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE EXPOSED

4:26:15TO THAT AND YOU SHOULD BE AND

4:26:17AND AND AND LET'S ALSO BE

4:26:20CLEAR THAT OK LOOK THERE'S A

4:26:22LOT OF GUYS IN THERE THAT ARE

4:26:23DISABILITIES IF IT WASN'T FOR

4:26:25THOSE URINE CONTAINERS WE

4:26:27WOULD BE MOONWALKING OR URINE

4:26:30EVERY DAY AND FROM THEIR ROOMS

4:26:32TO THE BATHROOMS AND THERE'S

4:26:33TWO SETS OF BATHROOMS

4:26:34.>>THERE'S ONE IN THE CAFETERIA

4:26:38AND THERE'S THE THERE'S THE

4:26:41MAIN BATHROOM SO THOSE GERMAN

4:26:43CONTAINERS I HELP TO THOSE

4:26:45GUYS UNDERSTOOD.

4:26:45>>JUST KEEP THEM CLEAN THANK

4:26:48YOU.

4:26:49>>ANYBODY ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS

4:26:52FOR GIBSON

4:26:53.>>WELL CHAIR HUDSON AND THEN.

4:26:55>>AND THIS NUANCE T

4:26:58OEVERYTHING THERE ABSOLUTELY ISR

4:27:00TESTIMONY I JUST WANTED T

4:27:03OVERIFY AND MAYBE I'LL HAVE T

4:27:04OGET THIS FROM SOMEBODY ELSE

4:27:05BUT THE GPD RULE DO YOU KNOW

4:27:07IF THAT WAS RELATED TO THE

4:27:09FEDERAL FUNDING

4:27:09.>>UM FROM MY UNDERSTANDING I

4:27:11WAS TOLD THAT YOU KNOW THAT

4:27:14NOW

4:27:15.>>THE FACILITY NOW IS RAN

4:27:18TOTALLY BY AND WHAT THE GPD

4:27:20RULE BEING GONE THE EXTRA TIME I

4:27:23CAN'T DO THAT NO MORE.

4:27:25>>OKAY AND EXTRA TIME YOU'RE

4:27:26ALLOWED TO BE OUT MEANING OUT

4:27:29OF THE SHELTER YES

4:27:31.>>OKAY THANK YOU

4:27:34.>>COUNCILMAN ONE JUST ONE

4:27:35QUOTE THANK YOU JEFF.

4:27:37>>ONE QUESTION UM DO YOU HAVE

4:27:40ACCESS

4:27:40.>>TO THE LIBRARY'S COMPUTERS

4:27:43AND BOOKS

4:27:43.>>RIGHT IT'S JUST NOT

4:27:48OVERNIGHT OKAY UM DO YOU HAVE

4:27:51INTERNET YEA THEY SENT IN THAT

4:27:52ISN'T YOU YOU CAN

4:27:53.>>VISIT WEB SITES RIGHT WE CAN

4:27:55ALSO SIGN IN ON OUR PHONES BUT

4:27:58THERE'S A 24 HOUR LOCKOUT RULE M

4:28:04A TECHIE SO YOU KNOW WHEN

4:28:05YOU'RE LOGGING INTO THE SITE

4:28:07AND ONTO THE TO GET ACCESS IT

4:28:11SHUTS YOU DOWN AFTER 24 HOURS

4:28:12AND YOU HAVE TO RE LOG IN

4:28:14AGAIN.

4:28:14>>THAT'S NOT A BAD THING OK SO

4:28:17THAT WAY WAY RUNNING YOU KNOW

4:28:19THE SITE ADMINISTRATOR THEY

4:28:20CAN DO THEIR CLEANUP AND YOU

4:28:22HAVE TO LOG BACK IN AGAIN SO

4:28:26THAT'S THE ONLY THAT'S THE

4:28:26ONLY RULE WITH THAT.

4:28:29>>THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL

4:28:29THANK YOU APPRECIATE IT VERY

4:28:31MUCH

4:28:31.>>ONE WHO I HAD CALLED UP JOE

4:28:34BELLO EARLIER BUT I DON'T

4:28:35THINK HE WAS IN THE ROOM AND

4:28:36HEARD ME CALL HIM BELLO I'D

4:28:38LOVE FOR YOU TO COME UP AND BE

4:28:40HEARD ALSO I'M GOING TO JUST

4:28:42CALL UP A FEW OTHER FOLKS WHO

4:28:44NAMES I CALLED BUT A HAVE LEFT

4:28:47THE ROOM OR NOT HAVE HEARD ME

4:28:49SO IF ANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE

4:28:50IN THE ROOM THEY CAN COME UP

4:28:54AS WELL TIMOTHY TERRAIN ANGEL

4:28:57SANSA SHARON WHITE PHILLIP

4:29:00VENTO KING AND CARMELO STEWART E

4:29:04HERE COME ON UP AND BE SEATED

4:29:07AT THE WITNESS TABLE AND

4:29:09YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN HOW IT'S

4:29:10DONE FROM A PROFESSIONAL BELLO A

4:29:15WHENEVER YOU'RE READY ALL

4:29:24RIGHT UM I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT

4:29:26HEARING MY NAME CALLED THAT'S

4:29:27ALL RIGHT APPRECIATE IT

4:29:29APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY

4:29:30I'LL BE QUICK THERE WAS A LOT

4:29:33SAID TODAY AH AND I'M STILL

4:29:35KIND OF PROCESSING SOME OF THE

4:29:36THINGS I'VE HEARD SOME OF THE

4:29:37THINGS THAT WERE SAID SO YOU

4:29:40ALL HAVE MY TESTIMONY ONE OF

4:29:42THE THINGS THOUGH I I THINK

4:29:44STILL GOES BACK TO WHAT I HAD

4:29:46INITIALLY BEEN WRITING ABOUT

4:29:47WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT

4:29:50BORDEN WAS YOU KNOW WHY DID

4:29:54APPRECIATE YOU COUNCILMEMBER

4:29:55FOR TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THE

4:29:57VA AND GET THAT ANSWER EVEN IF

4:29:58WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING T

4:29:59OGET IT BUT I APPRECIATE THAT

4:30:00AND THEN THE SECOND QUESTION

4:30:02WHICH I DIDN'T HEAR QUITE A

4:30:04BIT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE

4:30:04HEARD MORE OF WAS WHY DID THE

4:30:07CITY REJECT TO REDUCED AWARD

4:30:10WITHOUT THE CONVERSATION ABOUT

4:30:11THE TRANSGENDER VETERANS

4:30:13BECAUSE I THINK THE PROBLEM IS

4:30:16IS FOR ME IT I FELT LIKE WE

4:30:18WERE BEING PITTED AGAINST THE

4:30:20LBGT COMMUNITY AND WHERE THE

4:30:21SAME COMMUNITY SO I WOULD HAVE

4:30:23LIKED TO HAVE HEARD SOMETHING

4:30:26A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHY THAT

4:30:28MONEY WASN'T WASN'T TAKEN

4:30:30ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE LOOKING

4:30:31AT 201 BEDS AND THERE'S ONLY

4:30:34168 RESIDENTS YOU YOU STILL

4:30:37HAD AH THE SPACE TO DO THAT SO

4:30:39I THINK THAT WAS THE THE WITH

4:30:41THE TWO KIND OF QUESTIONS IN

4:30:43TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING

4:30:44INSIDE OF BORDEN I THINK THE

4:30:47LAST GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE I

4:30:49THINK HE WAS HE WAS VERY A

4:30:51.>>TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT HE'S

4:30:53SEEING WHAT HE'S WITNESSING

4:30:55I'VE KIND OF HEARD AND SEEN

4:30:56THE SAME THING AS WELL I DON'T

4:31:00THINK THAT IS A REASON IN

4:31:02RHYME TO EVERYTHING I THINK I

4:31:04KNOW THAT IF IF I WAS INVITING

4:31:05YOU OVER TO MY HOUSE I WOULD

4:31:07BE CLEANING UP MY HOUSE PRIOR

4:31:09TO YOU COMING TO VISIT ME SO I

4:31:10THINK THAT SOME OF IT IS

4:31:11COMMON SENSE AS WELL UM I JUST

4:31:14THINK THERE WAS TOO MUCH GOING

4:31:16ON IN TERMS OF AH WHETHER THE

4:31:19COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE

4:31:20HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO IN

4:31:21UNANNOUNCED WHICH I THINK THEY

4:31:23SHOULD HAVE AND I THINK THAT I

4:31:27APPRECIATE COUNCIL HUDSON FOR

4:31:27BRINGING UP THE LAW ABOUT WHAT

4:31:29IT SAYS THAT THEY CAN COME IN

4:31:31I JUST THINK THAT THERE WAS

4:31:33THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER

4:31:35POLICY AROUND THAT AND MAKING

4:31:36SURE THAT IT DOES PROTECT THE

4:31:38PRIVACY OF THE VETERANS

4:31:41THEMSELVES UM THE OTHER THING

4:31:42I GUESS I'LL TALK ABOUT HAS

4:31:44BEEN THE ROOF AH THAT HAS BEEN

4:31:46A VERY BIG CONCERN TO ME I

4:31:47MEAN GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2

4:31:52022 A COUNCIL MEMBER HOLDEN HAS

4:31:53BEEN BRINGING THAT UP AND IT

4:31:55WAS ASKED AGAIN IN 20 25 AND

4:31:57I'VE KIND OF HEARD THE SAME

4:31:59ANSWER NOW GOING BACK FOU

4:32:02RYEARS NOW SO AT SOME POINT YOU

4:32:04KNOW THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD E

4:32:06WHEN IS THIS ROOF GOING TO GET

4:32:09DONE YOU KNOW LOOK I RECOGNIZE

4:32:10THAT THE BUILDING IS OLD

4:32:12PERSONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE

4:32:14IT DEMOLISHED AND THEN YOU

4:32:15KNOW MAYBE REBUILT MAYBE FIND

4:32:16SOMEBODY THAT WOULD WANT T

4:32:18OREBUILD IT AND BUILD IT NOT

4:32:19JUST MAYBE AS AN SRO BUT PUT

4:32:21SOME WORK FORCE IN IT REAL

4:32:24KITCHEN A LOT OF BIGGER

4:32:25LIBRARY THINGS LIKE THAT UM SO

4:32:28I THINK THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE

4:32:31OTHER PROBLEMS FOR THE ROOF

4:32:32THAT'S BOTHERED ME I WOULD

4:32:33ALSO LIKE FOR THE COUNCIL T

4:32:35OOBTAIN A DANE A TIMELINE FROM

4:32:38IDENTIFYING ANY WORK NOT JUST

4:32:40THE ROOF BUT ANY WORK WITHIN

4:32:42BORDEN THAT'S BEING DONE

4:32:42WHETHER IT'S A YOU KNOW WHAT'S

4:32:46OUTSTANDING WHAT'S EXPECTED TO

4:32:48BE DONE UM IN TERMS OF UH D V

4:32:54S UM AT THE AT THE UH AT THE

4:32:57VETERANS SUMMIT I KNOW THE

4:33:00COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT

4:33:01REVAMPING THE HOUSING UNIT AH

4:33:02I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE DETAILS

4:33:05ABOUT THAT OR AT LEAST HAVE

4:33:06YOU EXPLORE MORE DETAILS ABOUT

4:33:08THAT AND HOW THAT IS GOING T

4:33:10OAFFECT NOT JUST VETERANS

4:33:11OUTSIDE OF BORDEN BUT VETERANS

4:33:12WITHIN BORDEN AS WELL I ALSO

4:33:15THINK THAT WE NEED TO GO BACK

4:33:17TO COUNCIL NEEDS TO GO BACK

4:33:18AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE

4:33:22DECEMBER 2025 CONTROLLERS

4:33:23REPORT ABOUT THE HOUSING UNIT

4:33:24I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE

4:33:26SOME JUST A REVIEW WHAT HAS

4:33:28CHANGED FROM THAT FROM THAT

4:33:30REPORT I MEAN IT'S ALMOST BEEN

4:33:31A YEAR NOW RIGHT WELCOME WE'RE

4:33:33IN SO WHAT'S CHANGED WHAT'S

4:33:35BETTER IT'S BEING REVAMPED SO

4:33:36HOW DOES THAT MAKE THINGS

4:33:40BETTER UM SO I THINK THOSE ARE

4:33:41CLEARLY THINGS THAT WE CAN WE

4:33:43CAN DO AH JUST TO WRAP UP

4:33:45BECAUSE AGAIN THERE WAS A LOT

4:33:46TO TAKE IN FROM THIS HEARING

4:33:47AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO RE

4:33:47WATCH IT LIKE PROBABLY TWO OR

4:33:49TIMES JUST TO GET OVER ALL THE

4:33:51DATA FROM IT UM I SUPPORT

4:33:54INTROS 1051 AND RESOLVE FIVE

4:33:5860 UM.

4:33:58>>I DISAGREE WITH REZA OH

4:34:010634 AND IT'S CURRENT FORM

4:34:04THAT'S YOUR VETERAN

4:34:05ORGANIZATIONAL AWARENESS WEEK

4:34:06AS YOU KNOW THIS SKINNY

4:34:08COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION A

4:34:09COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH

4:34:12COUNCILMAN DINA WITTES THAT

4:34:14MADE VETERANS MONTH UM MY MY

4:34:18FEELING ON THAT REZO IS THAT

4:34:20YOU'RE THE WEAK WE GET

4:34:21.>>LOST BECAUSE IT IS VETERANS

4:34:23WEEK SO I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU

4:34:25TO CONSIDER MAYBE REDOING THAT

4:34:27RESOLUTION TO MAKE IT EITHER

4:34:27THE WEEK PRIOR OR THE WEEK

4:34:29AFTER I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE A

4:34:32BETTER BETTER PIECE WITH THAT

4:34:33ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU KNOW WHAT V

4:34:38ALL WEEK ALL RIGHT SO THAT'S

4:34:40IT THANK YOU

4:34:41.>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALL

4:34:44RIGHT BEFORE WE TURN OVER TO

4:34:47THE ZOOM TESTIMONY I WANT T

4:34:49OMAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO

4:34:51WOULD LIKE TO TESTIFY IN

4:34:55PERSON HAS GOTTEN AN

4:34:56OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO IF

4:34:58THERE'S ANYBODY WHO IS HERE T

4:34:59OTESTIFY IN PERSON THAT THAT

4:35:02HASN'T DONE SO RAISE YOUR HAND

4:35:04IN THE SERGEANT AT ARMS WILL

4:35:05GET A CARD TO YOU AND MAKE

4:35:07SURE THAT THEY CAN

4:35:09.>>TESTIFY LET'S WE'LL GET

4:35:12THESE FOLKS AND AS WE GET

4:35:14THESE FOLKS IN THE QUEUE AND

4:35:14GET THEM READY I'LL REMIND

4:35:17EVERYBODY THAT'S WATCHING THIS E

4:35:22THAT IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT

4:35:24THIS HEARING IN ADVANCE BUT

4:35:25YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUT

4:35:27ESOMETHING IN TERMS OF THE

4:35:30OVERSIGHT TOPIC OR ANY OF THE

4:35:31LEGISLATION WE'RE CONSIDERING

4:35:33TODAY YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN

4:35:35SUBMIT TESTIMONY IN WRITING

4:35:36I'VE BEEN GETTING SOME E MAILS

4:35:38OF FOLKS THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO

4:35:40BE HERE OR HAD TO LEAVE AND

4:35:41THEY SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN

4:35:43WRITING YOU COULD JUST EMAIL

4:35:46TESTIMONY AT COUNSEL DOT DOT

4:35:49GOV AS COUNSEL DOT TESTIMONY

4:35:51EXCUSE

4:35:51.>>ME TESTIMONY AT COUNSEL DOT

4:35:53DOT GOV AND THAT TESTIMONY

4:35:57WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND

4:35:58THE RECORD JUST AS MUCH AS

4:36:02EVERYBODY ELSE'S.

4:36:02>>AND YOU KNOW I DIDN'T GET A

4:36:04CHANCE TO MENTION INTRO

4:36:08THOUSAND 51 EARLIER BUT I

4:36:09APPRECIATE BELLO AND GRAHAM

4:36:11REFERENCING IT IN THEIR

4:36:13TESTIMONY JUST FOR CLARITY'S

4:36:14SAKE FOR PEOPLE THAT THEY

4:36:15AREN'T UP ON THIS THE GOVERNOR

4:36:19AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE THEY

4:36:20PASSED BELL CREATING A

4:36:23PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR

4:36:25ANYONE THAT'S LISTED AS 100%

4:36:30DISABLED SERVICE CONNECTED

4:36:31.>>THAT'S A VETERAN AS

4:36:32CERTIFIED BY THE VA AND

4:36:34BASICALLY THAT LEGISLATION

4:36:35WOULD EXEMPT THOSE FOLKS FROM

4:36:37PAYING PROPERTY TAXES BUT THE

4:36:39TRICK IS THE MUNICIPALITIES OR

4:36:41THE COUNTIES IN THE STATE HAVE

4:36:44TO OPT IN SO AS OF NOW EVEN

4:36:46THOUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE

4:36:48PASSED THAT BILL AND THE

4:36:50GOVERNOR SIGNED IT THAT

4:36:52CHANGES NOTHING

4:36:56COUNCIL ACT SO MY HOPE IS THAT

4:36:59THIS WILL BE A GREAT WAY T

4:37:01OALLOW VETERANS WHO ARE

4:37:04DISABLED TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN

4:37:05NEW YORK AND AFFORD TO STAY IN

4:37:06NEW YORK AND NOT HAVE TO MOVE

4:37:08ELSEWHERE AND I'M REALLY

4:37:10HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL BE ABLE T

4:37:11OPASS THAT IN TIME FOR VETERANS

4:37:15DAY AND SO FAR THE RESPONSE

4:37:16THAT I'VE GOTTEN FROM MANY OF

4:37:18MY COLLEAGUES HAS BEEN VERY.

4:37:20>>FAVORABLE ALL RIGHT I HAD

4:37:22CALLED LEROY BELTON EARLIER

4:37:25BUT I WILL I WOULD LOVE FOR

4:37:26HIM TO COME UP HE'S A FORMER I

4:37:30.>>MIGHT BE EXCUSE ME LEROY

4:37:33BECKTON EXCUSE ME COME ON COME

4:37:35ON UP AND BE SEATED AT THE

4:37:37WITNESS TABLE AND IS THERE

4:37:38ANYBODY ELSE IN THE ROOM HERE

4:37:39THAT WANTS TO TESTIFY IN

4:37:42PERSON ALL RIGHT WE'LL GET

4:37:42WE'LL YOUR CARD IN AS WELL.

4:37:46>>RIGHT INDEED THANK YOU VERY

4:37:49MUCH A AND SPRING SPRING IT'S

4:37:51GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN INDEED

4:37:52MY GOOD BROTHER AND ALL OF YOU D

4:37:55THINGS GOOD AFTERNOON I AM

4:37:57JAMES EDWARD BECKTON BECKTON

4:38:00BECKTON IF YOU WILL I AM AN

4:38:03ARTIST A DISABLED VETERAN WANT

4:38:06OF THE ARMY DEPARTMENT HEAD

4:38:07CHEMICAL CORPS AS WELL

4:38:10ENTREPRENEUR FOUNDING

4:38:10EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF

4:38:11THE BECKTON INTERNATIONAL

4:38:13BLACK THEATER AND ARTS

4:38:14CONSORTIUM SITTING HERE RIGHT

4:38:15NOW AS A PROACTIVE CITIZEN AND

4:38:18INTEND UM AS A PROACTIVE

4:38:21ADVOCATES WITH FIBROMYALGIA

4:38:22TERAN TZE AND ALL THE OTHER

4:38:23VETERANS TO GIVE NOTE AND

4:38:25GRATITUDE TO YOU ALL WHO HAVE

4:38:28TAKEN THE TIME TO MAKE TIME T

4:38:29OBRING THIS ISSUE TO THE LIGHT

4:38:30OF DAY AT THIS TIME AFTER

4:38:33HAVING SERVED TWO PROTECT THIS

4:38:35NATION'S IDEAL IDEOLOGY WHICH

4:38:37IS HAS BEEN UNDER ASSAULT FOR

4:38:39REASONS QUITE ANTITHETICAL T

4:38:40OTHE VERY CONTRACT AND

4:38:43CONSTITUTION THAT I WE DID IN

4:38:46FACT BOTH VOCALIZE SIGN AND

4:38:47EXERCISE SOME OF US T

4:38:51OEXPIRATION I EXPERIENCED

4:38:52HOMELESSNESS NOT ONCE BUT

4:38:54TWICE AFTER COMING OUT OF THE

4:38:55SERVICE AND AT NO AID OR

4:38:57ASSISTANCE DID I GET FROM THE

4:38:59VA BECAUSE A PART OF THAT WAS

4:39:02VA ISSUES I AM AN ARTIST BOTH

4:39:05OF THESE TIMES I WAS ENVELOPED

4:39:07AND NURTURED BY MY COMMUNITY

4:39:09OF ARTISTS AND HAD IT NOT BEEN

4:39:11FOR THAT SAID COMMUNITY I

4:39:12COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN A

4:39:14TENANT AND THIS YEAR A

4:39:16FACILITY THAT WE ARE

4:39:17INVESTIGATING RIGHT NOW WE ARE

4:39:19ALL HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF CARE R

4:39:25DOLLARS THE CARE A TRANSITIVE

4:39:26VERB IS BECAUSE WE ARE

4:39:28CONCERNED ENOUGH TO BE HERE AS

4:39:31WE ALL ARE TO MAKE THIS NOTE

4:39:34ACCOUNTABILITY OR IN THIS

4:39:36INSTANCE ONE OF MANY AS SEVERE

4:39:39LACKING OF ACCOUNTABILITY OUR

4:39:42TAXPAYER DOLLARS

4:39:42.>>THE VERY DUCATS WE'VE BEEN

4:39:45MANDATORILY RELINQUISHING

4:39:45SINCE OUR FIRST W TWO S THE

4:39:47VERY CASH THAT IS TAXED UPON

4:39:50RECEIPT TAXED TO SPEND TAXED

4:39:53TO SAVE TAX TO PASS DOWN

4:39:55TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT ARE

4:39:57FUNCTIONING EVERYWHERE IN OUR

4:39:58FACES BUT HERE AT OUR HOME AND

4:40:00OUR OWN BACKYARD THIS IS ON A

4:40:04MICRO LEVEL AN EXHIBITION OF

4:40:05WHAT'S HAPPENING ON A WHITE

4:40:08MACRO LEVEL

4:40:08.>>THIS IS AN ISSUE REGARDING

4:40:10THE LACKING AND FULFILLMENT OF

4:40:14A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION T

4:40:16OPROPERLY REMUNERATED WITH CARED

4:40:19SERVICE MEMBERS VETERANS OF

4:40:20THE UNITED STATES UPON MY

4:40:24INTRODUCTION TO REPRESENTATIVE

4:40:26WONG HIS IMMEDIATE REBUTTAL T

4:40:26OME WAS I WORK FOR YOU AND THAT

4:40:29IS EXACTLY THE CORRECT ANSWER

4:40:30AND AS WE ALL SIT HERE TODAY

4:40:34VOCALIZING AND TESTIMONIAL

4:40:35REALIZING WHY THIS IS

4:40:36IMPORTANT I AM HERE TO GIVE

4:40:39YOU OUR GRATITUDE AGAIN FOR

4:40:42TAKING UP THE REINS WE AS

4:40:45SERVICE MEMBERS LOOK TO YOU AS

4:40:48ELECTED LED SERVICE MEMBERS T

4:40:49ODO THE RIGHT THING FOR WE THE

4:40:51PEOPLE AND WE'RE MAKING OUR

4:40:53VOICES OF SUPPORT FOR THESE

4:40:54ACTIONS TAKEN HERE TOO DAME SO

4:40:56I THANK YOU KINDLY TRULY FOR

4:40:57YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION FOR

4:41:01BEING PROACTIVE IN DEALING

4:41:02WITH THESE ISSUES THAT DON'T

4:41:04ONLY DIS DEAL DEAL WITH

4:41:07VETERANS BUT EVERYBODY BUT

4:41:08TODAY IT'S ABOUT VETERANS AND

4:41:09I GIVE YOU GRACE FOR PAYING

4:41:11ATTENTION AND THIS IS WHAT I

4:41:12SAID TO YOU WHEN I MET YOU

4:41:13LAST LAST TIME GOOD SIR THE

4:41:15ONLY THING I REQUESTED OF YOU

4:41:17WAS FOLLOW UP ON

4:41:18ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE FACT

4:41:19THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY THESE

4:41:20MANY MONTHS LATER MEANS

4:41:21EXACTLY THAT THAT YOU ARE

4:41:23EXACTLY FOLLOWING THROUGH AND

4:41:24I GIVE YOU ALL GRACE AND

4:41:26GRATITUDE FOR IT THANK YOU

4:41:28THANK YOU BACK THEN I DO HOPE

4:41:30WHEN COUNCILMEMBER WANG TOLD

4:41:31YOU THAT YOU AT LEAST WISHED

4:41:32HIM A HAPPY

4:41:33.>>BIRTHDAY OH WELL I'M I'M

4:41:34WISHING YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOW G

4:41:36THE DO AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE

4:41:38REPRESENTATION THAT WE'RE

4:41:38NEEDED

4:41:39.>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH BACK

4:41:41THEN ALL RIGHT I BELIEVE WE

4:41:42HAVE ONE FINAL GENTLEMAN IN IN

4:41:44PERSON AND I'LL APOLOGIZE IN

4:41:46ADVANCE IF I MISPRONOUNCE YOUR

4:41:48YOUR NAME AH BUT IT'S RANA

4:41:51BHAI PLEASE CORRECT ME IS THAT

4:41:53CORRECT ALL RIGHT GREAT ALL

4:41:55RIGHT.

4:41:56>>UM HAVE A SEAT AND BEGIN

4:41:58WHENEVER YOU'RE READY AND THEN

4:41:59WE'LL MOVE OVER TO THE ZOOMED

4:42:02TESTIMONY JUST YOU COULD TURN

4:42:20TO YOU HELLOEEP IT CLOSE

4:42:22.>>GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS

4:42:25RANA POSSESSOR AND I'M A

4:42:28RETIRED MASTER SERGEANT OF THE

4:42:30UNITED STATES ARMY.

4:42:32>>AND THE BRONZE STAR

4:42:34RECIPIENT FOR ACTION IN COMBAT Y

4:42:42OF MERLIN COLLEGE PARK

4:42:44OVERSEAS CAMPUS WHERE I GOT MY

4:42:48BACHELOR'S AND SAY MUCH OF

4:42:50SCIENCE AND BUSINESS AND

4:42:54MANAGEMENT I HAVE CONTINUED MY

4:42:56EDUCATION SINCE

4:42:57.>>MORNING MY NEW YORK CITY 3

4:43:015P SPECIALIST CREDENTIALS IN

4:43:01SPECIALIST CREDENTIALS IN.

4:43:06>>AND CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER

4:43:08ADVOCATE IN 20 25 MY TESTIMONY

4:43:13TODAY TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF

4:43:18MY TRANSITION FROM TRAINING

4:43:19AND LEADING SOLDIER DURING

4:43:25LEADING SOLDIERS IN WAR ARE

4:43:27FIRST HALF OF MY LIFE T

4:43:31OSUPPORT BE TO EXPERIENCE

4:43:33HOMELESSNESS DURING THE SECOND.

4:43:35>>I'M A PEER COUNSELOR AT

4:43:38BORDEN AVENUE VETERAN

4:43:41RESIDENCE SINCE APRIL 2024 I

4:43:46DRAW ON LIVE LIFE EXPERIENCE

4:43:49AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING T

4:43:54OOFFER NONE.

4:44:01AND MENTORSHIP PEER COUNSELING

4:44:03CONNECTS IN VILLE WHO HAD

4:44:06OVERCOME ADVERSITIES SUCH

4:44:12MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

4:44:13SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TRAUMA

4:44:20OR ACADEMIC BARRIERS WITH

4:44:22OTHER FILLER SOUND FAMILIAR

4:44:27CIRCUMSTANCE MY BRONX STAR AND

4:44:33MY CERTIFIED RECOVER RECOVERY

4:44:35PILL BEER'S FRESH ADVOCATE I'M

4:44:38A NEW YORK CITY P SPECIAL

4:44:44CERTIFICATION REFLECT TWO

4:44:48COMPLEMENTARY FOUNDATION.

4:44:49>>MILITARY EXPERIENCE THAT

4:44:50HELPED ME BUILD TRUST WITH THE

4:44:54VETERANS AND PIERCE THE FOU

4:44:57RTRAINING THAT EQUIPS ME T

4:45:00OSUPPORT RESIDENTS IN THEIR

4:45:04RECOVERY

4:45:04.>>HAVE BEEN COUNSELOR

4:45:06COUNSELOR HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS

4:45:09ON CAREER PROGRESSION AND

4:45:13PERSONAL CONDUCT I BRING

4:45:15MENTORSHIP CENTERED APPROACH

4:45:18TO KEEP SUPPORT I STRIVE T

4:45:21OMODEL Z REALLY YOU RESILIENCE.

4:45:26>>NEEDED TO NAVIGATE LIFE

4:45:30DARKEST MOMENTS

4:45:31.>>DEMONSTRATING HOW A SOLDIER

4:45:35DISCIPLINE AND COUNSELORS

4:45:36EMPATHY IT CAN WORK HAND IN

4:45:41HAND

4:45:41.>>ALSO RECOGNITION FROM

4:45:42GOVERNOR SCOTT IN FLORIDA WHO

4:45:47.>>ALSO UNDERSCORE

4:45:50ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

4:45:50BRING TO MY WORK

4:45:54.>>EXTENDING MY COMMITMENT T

4:45:55OSERVICE FROM THE FIELD THE

4:45:58OFFICE AND THE BOARDROOM I

4:46:04COMPLETED MY PEER COUNSELING.

4:46:06>>INTERNSHIP WITH BORDEN AND

4:46:08HAVE BROUGHT THIS APPROACH AND

4:46:13COMMITMENT

4:46:13.>>TO EXCELLENCE TO MY WORK

4:46:15WHERE FROM DAY ONE

4:46:18.>>I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY

4:46:22TO SHARE HOW COMPASSIONATE AND

4:46:23DEDICATION GUIDED ME MY

4:46:27SUPPORT FOR BOARD AND CLIENTS

4:46:29TO BE ONE OF MY MAIN JOB ALSO

4:46:32I DO THE AFTERCARE PROGRAM AND

4:46:36I TALKED TO VETERANS ON A

4:46:40DAILY BASIS ONCE A MONTH AT

4:46:41BORDEN WE DO THE COMMUNITY

4:46:43MEETING ALL THE STAFF

4:46:45INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND TELL

4:46:46THEM WHAT THEY DO AND I TELL

4:46:49THEM PLAINLY I'M HERE TO HELP

4:46:55YOU HEY THANK YOU VERY MUCH

4:46:57FOR YOUR TESTIMONY THANK YOU

4:47:00FOR YOUR SERVICE AND A REAL

4:47:01HONOR TO BE JOINED BY SOMEONE

4:47:03WHO'S A BRONZE STAR RECIPIENT

4:47:05THANKS FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE

4:47:06FOR THE.

4:47:07>>COUNTRY AS WELL THANK YOU

4:47:10THANK YOU

4:47:10.>>UM ALL RIGHT I THINK THAT

4:47:14CONCLUDES THE IN PERSON

4:47:15PORTION OF OUR PUBLIC

4:47:17TESTIMONY WE'RE NOW GOING TO

4:47:19MOVE TO REMOTE TESTIMONY IF

4:47:22YOU'RE TESTIFYING REMOTELY

4:47:23PLEASE LISTEN FOR YOUR NAME T

4:47:24OBE CALLED ONCE YOUR NAME IS

4:47:26CALLED A MEMBER OF OUR STAFF

4:47:27WILL UN MUTE YOU AND YOU CAN

4:47:30START YOUR TESTIMONY ONCE THE

4:47:32SERGEANT AT ARMS SETS THE

4:47:33CLOCK AND CUES YOU TO BEGIN

4:47:35ALL RIGHT WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN

4:47:38WITH A DOCTOR MECCA NELSON YOU

4:47:41MIGHT YOU BEGIN ONCE YOU ARE

4:47:43UNM YOU'D IT AND THE SERGEANT

4:47:46CUSE YOU HI GO AHEAD MECCA

4:47:52.>>HELLO GOOD AFTERNOON WELL

4:47:55GOOD AFTERNOON HI THERE HEY IT.

4:47:57>>WAS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE

4:48:00ASKED I JUST HAVE A FEW THINGS

4:48:05TO SAY IN I WOULD LIKE TO CALL

4:48:09THIS AH TESTIMONY DIGNITY

4:48:12AFTER SERVICE PLACE TO CALL

4:48:19HOME

4:48:19.>>GOOD MORNING CHEER AND COLD

4:48:21CHAIR HUDSON AND DISTINGUISHED

4:48:23MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK CITY

4:48:25COUNCIL THANK YOU FOR HOLDING

4:48:28THIS OVERSIGHT HEARING ON

4:48:29VETERANS HOMELESSNESS IN NEW

4:48:31YORK CITY AND FOR THE

4:48:33OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

4:48:34>>FIRST OFF I DO WANT TO SAY

4:48:38THANK YOU TO PHIL AND JULIE

4:48:40FOR BEING A DISRUPTOR OF

4:48:44CHANGE FOR DOING WHAT NEEDED

4:48:49TO BE DONE THAT CREATED THIS

4:48:50SPACE RIGHT NOW

4:48:55.>>AND WHEN I HEARD ABOUT WHAT

4:48:56WAS HAPPENING IT HURT MY HEART

4:49:03.>>MY NAME IS DR MACA NELSON

4:49:05AND I SERVE AS VICE CHAIR FOR

4:49:06THE NEW YORK CITY VETERAN

4:49:08ADVISORY BOARD I MEAN ALSO

4:49:10AMBASSADOR FOR THE INSTITUTE

4:49:11FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY

4:49:13FAMILIES AND AN AMBASSADOR OF

4:49:15FLORIDA THE TUNNELS THE TOWERS

4:49:17FOUNDATION

4:49:17.>>AND I AM ALSO A SMALL

4:49:18BUSINESS OWNER AND AN

4:49:21EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NON

4:49:24.>>A BULBUL I STAND BEFORE YOU

4:49:25AS A U S ARMY GOLD STAR SPOUSE D

4:49:29UNITED STATES ARMY NELSON WAS

4:49:30KILLED IN COMBAT IN OCTOBER 1

4:49:34OR SIX I BECAME A WIDOW AT THE

4:49:35AGE OF 24 RAISING OUR THREE

4:49:38YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THIS MONTH

4:49:39MARKS 20 YEARS SINCE HIS

4:49:42SACRIFICE THAT LOSS CONTINUES

4:49:44TO SHAPE MY COMMITMENT T

4:49:46OTHOSE WHO SERVE AND THE

4:49:48FAMILIES WHO SERVE ALONGSIDE

4:49:52THEM

4:49:53.>>I BRING THAT PERSONAL

4:49:54EXPERIENCE TO MY WORK AND IN

4:49:56THE COMMUNITY TO THIS

4:49:58TESTIMONY WHEN I SPEAK ABOUT

4:50:00OUR VETERANS.

4:50:00>>DIGNITY SAFETY AND WELL

4:50:04BEING.

4:50:04>>DO YOU KNOW I SPEAK FROM A

4:50:07HEART THAT UNDERSTANDS TODAY I

4:50:12AX

4:50:12.>>US TO LISTEN CLOSELY TO OUR

4:50:15VETERANS AND RESPOND WAIT CARE.

4:50:17>>IT DEEPLY CONCERNS ME TO

4:50:20HEAR VETERANS DESCRIBE THE

4:50:21SHOWERS IN THE SHELTER AS

4:50:25RESEMBLING REMAINS AS A

4:50:28RESEMBLANCE OF BEING IN A JOE

4:50:30.>>WE MUST LISTEN TO HOW THOSE

4:50:33CONDITIONS THAT MAKE THEM FEEL.

4:50:35>>THEY ARE TELLING US THAT THE

4:50:36PLACE WHERE THEY LIVE DOES NOT

4:50:40FEEL LIKE HOME IT.

4:50:41>>DOES NOT OFFER THE COMFORT

4:50:44OF SENSE OF SAFETY THEY NEED

4:50:46TO REST AND BEGIN TO HEAL THIS

4:50:48AFFECTS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH

4:50:51THEY COME OUT WITH ONE

4:50:52SITUATION OR ONE ISSUE

4:51:01THAT SHELTER THEY COME OUT

4:51:02WITH OTHER THINGS BEHIND IT.

4:51:05>>AND DEEPLY CONCERNS ME T

4:51:08OTAKE THIS SPACE AND TO EVEN BE

4:51:11HERE RIGHT NOW SPEAKING ABOUT

4:51:13THIS

4:51:14.>>THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO

4:51:16SERVED OUR COUNTRY THEY

4:51:17DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH

4:51:19RESPECT COMPASSION AND CARE

4:51:21THEIR NEEDS SHOULD BE ATTENDED

4:51:23TO THEIR CONCERNS SHOULD BE

4:51:24HEARD AND THEIR LIVING

4:51:26CONDITIONS SHOULD SUPPORT

4:51:27THEIR HEALTH AND WELL BEING

4:51:28OUR VETERANS DESERVE CLEAN

4:51:30SHOWERS WITH PRIVACY SAFE

4:51:32SURROUNDINGS AND A WELCOMING

4:51:33PLACE TO REST NO VETERAN

4:51:36SHOULD HAVE TO PLEAD FOR THESE

4:51:38BASIC NECESSITIES OR FEEL

4:51:40FORGOTTEN WHILE SEEKING HELP A

4:51:42SHELTER BE TEMPORARY BUT

4:51:45DIGNITY DIGNITY WARMTH AND

4:51:46CARE OFFERED WITHIN IT SHOULD

4:51:50BE CONSIDERED.

4:51:50>>WE CANNOT ASK SOMEONE T

4:51:52OREBUILD THEIR LIFE WHILE

4:51:54OVERLOOKING THE CONDITIONS IN

4:51:56WHICH THEY ARE EXPECTED T

4:51:57OHELP HOW CAN YOU HEAL LIVING

4:52:02IN THOSE CONDITIONS TRAUMA IS

4:52:03A SERIOUS THING AND TRAUMA CAN

4:52:05AFFECT YOU MENTALLY

4:52:06EMOTIONALLY SPIRITUALLY AND

4:52:09PHYSICALLY

4:52:09.>>THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY WE

4:52:12HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE

4:52:15FOR THEM WITH DIGNITY

4:52:17.>>I RESPECTFULLY URGE THE

4:52:19COUNCIL TO ENSURE A THOROUGH

4:52:22THROUGH INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF

4:52:25THE CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT THE

4:52:27FACILITY INCLUDING ITS

4:52:30STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS

4:52:32SANITATION ACCESSIBILITY AS A

4:52:33STABILITY FOR RESIDENTS YOU

4:52:34SHOT FOR THE RESIDENTS YOU

4:52:36SHELTER IF I CANNOT

4:52:39.>>IF IT CANNOT PROVIDE SAFE

4:52:41HEALTHY DIGNIFIED CONDITIONS

4:52:43THE CITY MUST PROVIDE AN

4:52:45APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE AND A

4:52:48SUPPORTED TRANSITION FOR EVERY

4:52:50VETERAN AFFECTED I ALSO ASKED

4:52:53FOR A CLEAR PROCESS THROUGH

4:52:54WHICH VETERANS CAN REPORT

4:52:55CONCERNS ABOUT FEAR.

4:52:58>>OF NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF

4:53:00RIGHT RECEIVING TIMELY

4:53:04RESPONSES AND

4:53:04.>>PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS

4:53:05ABOUT THEIR CARE.

4:53:07>>HOW CAN YOU MAKE DECISIONS

4:53:08FOR THE VETERANS AND NOT HAVE

4:53:10THEM IN THE ROOM TO SAY YEA OR

4:53:12NAY HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT

4:53:14THEY REALLY NEED IF YOU'RE NOT

4:53:17ASKING THEM.

4:53:18>>THANK YOU DOCTOR.

4:53:19>>NELSON I'M NOT WAIT I'M NOT

4:53:20DONE I HAVE MORE I'M SORRY I

4:53:22HAVE MORE IF YOU COULD

4:53:23.>>BRING IT TO A CLOSE GO AHEAD

4:53:26.>>YEAH I WILL AH I DO FEEL

4:53:31THAT THAT BUILDING AND I AGREE

4:53:33WITH JOE THAT BUILDING AND

4:53:35SHOULD BE DEMOLISHED AND UH I

4:53:39DO HAVE I DO WITH MY

4:53:40SUGGESTION THAT I FEEL UH I

4:53:44.>>I KNOW THAT TONE THIS IS A

4:53:46FOUNDATION AS THIS BUILDING

4:53:49VILLAGES VETERAN VILLAGES

4:53:51ACROSS EVERY STATE HOWEVER WE

4:53:52DON'T HAVE ONE OUT HERE N

4:53:55.>>TURN OF THE TOWERS HAVE OVER

4:53:5820 VETERANS BUT WE DON'T HAVE

4:54:00A LOCATION IN NEW YORK FOR OUR

4:54:02VETERANS AND THIS IS WHAT I

4:54:03HAVE TO SAY SO THAT I DON'T

4:54:04FALL OFF ANYTHING THAT MY

4:54:06RECOMMENDATION IS THAT NEW

4:54:08YORK CITY SHOULD PROVIDE OR

4:54:11HAVE OR GIVE COMFORTABLE

4:54:13TOWERS A LOCATION IN NEW YORK

4:54:14THAT'S SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE

4:54:16THEIR OWN INDEPENDENCY TO DO

4:54:17WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE THEY'RE

4:54:18DOING THE WORK THAT THEY'RE

4:54:20DOING WITHOUT ANY ISSUES

4:54:25.>>HELP SECURE SPACE TO REDUCE

4:54:28NEST UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES

4:54:30THAT ALLOW TUNNEL TOWERS T

4:54:32OOPERATE INDEPENDENTLY TO CARRY

4:54:34OUT THEIR MISSION NEW YORK

4:54:35CITY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO

4:54:37MORE FOR OUR AND SUPPORT OUR

4:54:40ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO HELP

4:54:42THEM OUR VETERANS DESERVE A

4:54:43PLACE THAT FEELS LIKE HOME A

4:54:46PLACE OF COMFORT BELONGING AND

4:54:48HOPE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

4:54:50.>>THE DECISION MADE IN THE

4:54:53ROOM BECOME SOMEONE ELSE'S

4:54:56REALLY DAILY REALITY THEY

4:54:57DETERMINE WHERE A VETERAN

4:54:59SLEEPS TONIGHT WHETHER THE

4:55:00VETERAN CAN SHOWER WITH

4:55:02DIGNITY WITH DIGNITY AND

4:55:04WHETHER THEY FEEL HURT

4:55:05RESPECTED AND HOPEFULLY AND

4:55:08HOPEFUL ABOUT TOMORROW LET OUR

4:55:10APPRECIATION BECOME ACTION LET

4:55:12OUR OVERSIGHT LEAD TO A

4:55:15MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS AND

4:55:16LET EVERY VETERAN WHO TURNS

4:55:17THIS CITY FOR HELP KNOW KNOW

4:55:20.>>YOUR SERVICE MATTER MATTERS

4:55:23YOUR VOICE MATTERS

4:55:24.>>YOUR LIFE MATTERS AND YOU

4:55:26DESERVE A SAFE PLACE TO CALL

4:55:29HOME THANK YOU

4:55:30.>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR

4:55:33NELSON

4:55:33.>>ALL RIGHT NEXT WE HAVE

4:55:39CHRISTOPHER LEON JOHNSON AH

4:55:40MISTER JOHNSON YOU CAN BEGIN

4:55:42AS SOON AS YOU'RE UNM YOU'D

4:55:45MUTED OH YEAH HELLO CAN YOU

4:55:46HEAR ME YES SIR GO ALL RIGHT

4:55:47AHEAD HELLO MY NAME MY NAME IS

4:55:49CHRISTOPHER LEON JOHNSON I

4:55:50SUPPORT ALL THE BILLS ON THE

4:55:51TICKER CLOONEY RIZZO'S

4:55:52.>>I WANNA MAKE THIS CLEAR THATE

4:55:58HELPED WITH THE FEDERAL

4:56:00GOVERNMENT UM VETERANS AFFAIRS

4:56:01IS MORALLY FEDERAL BUT WE HAVE

4:56:04MAYORS MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATION

4:56:05THAT WE COULD TELL THAT THEY

4:56:06DON'T CARE ABOUT THE VETERANS

4:56:09AT ALL UM YOU KNOW I CAN GO

4:56:12BACK TO THAT ROCK WALK THEY

4:56:14HAD LIKE 1. FIVE SO THAT'S

4:56:16LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE BUT

4:56:18THE COMMISSIONER I KNOW HER

4:56:19HANDS ARE TIED SHE'S A GREAT

4:56:21PERSON AT HEART I THINK SHE

4:56:22REALLY CARED ABOUT THE

4:56:23COMMISSIONER BECAUSE SHE CARED

4:56:24ABOUT THE VETERANS BECAUSE

4:56:25SHE'S A BETTER HERSELF BUT HER

4:56:27HANDS ARE TIED WITH THIS MAYOR E

4:56:30WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOMELESS

4:56:32ISSUE YOU KNOW I HAVE A BIG

4:56:33FEELING THAT THEY DON'T REALLY

4:56:35CARE ABOUT UM VETERANS AT ALL

4:56:37YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT

4:56:39WAR ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT

4:56:41VETERANS WHO COMMIT CRIMES WHO

4:56:44DECIDE TO BE PROFESSIONAL

4:56:45PARASITES AND THEY LOVE PANDER

4:56:47TO THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE THE

4:56:48ONES THAT THEY FEEL THAT WE'LL

4:56:51DELIVER THEM A RE ELECTION BID

4:56:54OF 29 I WANT TO MAKE THIS

4:56:57CLEAR THAT UH THIS

4:56:57ADMINISTRATION I THINK THE

4:56:58CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO START

4:57:00FIGHTING UH NO IT'S LIKE

4:57:02DIDN'T DO BECAUSE OF WHAT T

4:57:03OCOME TO VETERANS BECAUSE LIKE

4:57:04I SAID THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THEY

4:57:06HAVE CONTROL WHAT A LOT OF

4:57:08THINGS VETERANS ARE TREATED

4:57:10LIKE DIRT IN THE CITY OF NEW

4:57:13YORK IT IT'S A BIG PROBLEM

4:57:16HERE UM.

4:57:16>>A SHOUT TO JULIE WAN AND UM

4:57:19PHIL WONG FOR BEING OUT THERE

4:57:20TRYING TO FIGHT FOR THE FIVE

4:57:21BORN VETERANS AT THE BORDEN

4:57:25PLACE VETERANS CENTER AND LIKE

4:57:26LONG ISLAND CITY SUNNYSIDE UM

4:57:29IT JUST SHOWED HOW THE

4:57:30VETERANS ALREADY REALLY

4:57:31TREATED TO THE POINT WHERE

4:57:32THEY TREAT CITY COUNCIL

4:57:33MEMBERS A CERTAIN WAY IT JUST

4:57:34SHOWS LIKE WHAT WHAT THEY REAL L

4:57:39OUR VETERANS IN THE CITY OF

4:57:39NEW YORK THEY THINK THEY'RE

4:57:41NOBODY THINK THEY'RE NOTHING

4:57:42THEY'RE NOTHING BUT YOU DON'T

4:57:43SEE THEM GET TREATED YOU DON'T

4:57:45SEE THEM TREAT THE AVERAGE UM

4:57:48DOG THAT IS HOMELESS BECAUSE

4:57:49THEY KNOW THEY NEED THEIR VOTE O

4:57:52OUT AND VOTE AND DO CONTACT

4:57:54ROOM IT'S JUST AT THE END OF

4:57:56THE DAY UM THERE'S A LONG

4:57:58BATTLE WAS A LONG BATTLE AND

4:58:02OOFFICE AND YOU CAN'T THROW THE

4:58:03VETERAN'S COMMISSION ON THE

4:58:04BUS BECAUSE UM SHE DOESN'T A

4:58:05GREAT SHE'S A GREAT A PERSON

4:58:08THAT DESERVES TO BE IN THAT

4:58:10POSITION UM I THINK SHE WOULD

4:58:11BETTER OFF IN INTERNATIONAL

4:58:13AFFAIRS I MEAN THAT'S MY VICE

4:58:16BUT LOOK IT IS SOMETHING WHERE

4:58:17THAT WE NEED MORE

4:58:19CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS I

4:58:19THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW WHY

4:58:20THEY KEEP ON DOING THESE

4:58:22HEARINGS INSIDE THE COMMITTEE

4:58:24ROOM IT JUST LOOKED LIKE A

4:58:25SLAP IN THE FACE THEY

4:58:26SHOULDN'T HAVE START CITY HALL

4:58:27CHAMBERS I THINK IT'S BETTER

4:58:31OFF UM BUT I MEAN VETERANS YOU

4:58:32KNOW THEY NEED THE PROPER

4:58:33RESPECT IN THE CITY AND THE

4:58:34START IS JUST LIKE THEY NEED

4:58:36MORE ALLOCATION TO THE BUDGET

4:58:38AND NEXT YEAR HOPEFULLY NEXT

4:58:38YEAR THEY HAVE THE VETERANS

4:58:39PARADE ON FIFTH AVENUE OR HELL D

4:58:43THE LABOR DAY PARADE ON LOWER

4:58:45MANHATTAN LIKE ON LIBERTY UM

4:58:46HE WAS HERO PLAZA UM BUT AT

4:58:49THE END OF THE DAY UH.

4:58:51>>THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I

4:58:53SUPPORT HUNDRED UM YOU KNOW T

4:58:56OSTAY HOME RIGHT NOW BUT THANK

4:58:57YOU SO MUCH AND TAKE CARE

4:59:00ENJOY IT THANK YOU MISTER

4:59:01JOHNSON I APPRECIATE YOUR

4:59:03PARTICIPATION TODAY AND YOUR

4:59:05FREQUENT CITIZEN ACTIVISM AS

4:59:06WELL

4:59:07.>>UM ALL RIGHT WE HAVE T

4:59:09OADDITIONAL FOLKS ON ZOOM WE'LL

4:59:11GO NEXT TO DOUGLAS ENCARNACION E

4:59:16OF WITNESSES WHO SIGNED UP TO

4:59:20TESTIFY REMOTELY BUT THEY HAVE

4:59:21LOGGED OFF SO DOUGLAS

4:59:24ENCARNACION OR KENNETH

4:59:26BRONTE'S IF EITHER OF YOU WERE

4:59:28THERE PLEASE LET US KNOW RAISE

4:59:30YOUR HAND IF THERE'S ANYONE

4:59:32ELSE

4:59:32.>>CURRENTLY ON ZOOM WHO WISHES

4:59:34TO SPEAK BUT HASN'T HAD THE

4:59:35OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO PLEASE

4:59:37USE THE RES HAND FUNCTION AND

4:59:40OUR STAFF WILL UNM YOUT YOU

4:59:42ANYBODY THERE MUM IF THERE'S

4:59:45ANYONE ELSE PRESENT IN THE

4:59:46ROOM WHO HASN'T HAD THE

4:59:48OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY BUT

4:59:49WISHES TO DO SO PLEASE RAISE

4:59:52YOUR HAND ALL RIGHT AH SEEING

4:59:54NO HANDS I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE

4:59:56AGAIN THAT MEMBERS OF THE

4:59:57PUBLIC CAN SUBMIT WRITTEN

5:00:00TESTIMONY TO TESTIMONY AT

5:00:02COUNSEL DOT NYC WITHIN 7

5:00:072HOURS OF THIS HEARING AN AISLE

5:00:10INVITE CO CHAIR HUDSON TO GIVE

5:00:12HER CLOSING REMARKS IF.

5:00:14>>ANY THANK YOU SO MUCH JUST A

5:00:16BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO

5:00:18CAME TO TESTIFY TODAY AND

5:00:21ESPECIALLY ALL OF THE VETERANS T

5:00:25OTHANK CHAIR HUDSON FOR HER

5:00:27PARTNERSHIP AND HER DILIGENCE

5:00:29IN THIS OVERSIGHT TOPIC AND

5:00:31THIS HEARING AND AS COMES AS

5:00:32NO SURPRISE TO ANY OF US THAT

5:00:35FOLLOW HIS CITY COUNCIL CAREER Y

5:00:41ACKNOWLEDGE ONCE AGAIN

5:00:41COUNCILMEMBER WANG AS BEING

5:00:43THE ONLY NON CHAIR THAT STAYS

5:00:45UNTIL THE VERY END OF THIS

5:00:48HEARING HE IS A MODEL PUBLIC

5:00:50SERVANT AND IF THERE'S ANY

5:00:51JUSTICE IN THE WORLD ALL OF

5:00:53HIS BIRTHDAY WISHES WILL COME

5:00:54TRUE TODAY AND ALWAYS

5:00:56.>>I DO HOPE THAT THIS IS THE

5:01:00NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE END OF

5:01:03THE DISCUSSION OF THE WORK

5:01:04THAT WE'RE DOING ON VETERAN

5:01:06HOMELESSNESS AND IN LOOKING AT

5:01:07A LOT OF THE IMPORTANT

5:01:08LEGISLATION THAT WE REVIEWED

5:01:11TODAY.

5:01:12>>HOMELESSNESS IS A COMPLEX

5:01:13PROBLEM VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

5:01:15EVEN MORE SO AND I REALLY

5:01:17APPRECIATE WHERE EVERYONE CAME

5:01:19FROM TODAY BOTH PHYSICALLY IN

5:01:20SOME CASES AND EMOTIONALLY IN

5:01:23OTHERS AND IN TERMS OF THEIR

5:01:26EXPERIENTIAL JOURNEY I THINK

5:01:27WHAT WE ALL WANT TO GET TO THE

5:01:29SAME PLACE EVEN IF WE HAVE A

5:01:30LOT OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

5:01:32AS TO HOW TO GET THERE AND AS

5:01:34LONG AS I HAVE THE GOOD

5:01:35FORTUNE OF CHAIRING THIS

5:01:37COMMITTEE I'M COMMITTED T

5:01:38OMAKING SURE THAT WE DO GET

5:01:40THERE SO MY THANKS TO THE

5:01:43ADMINISTRATION PARTICULARLY

5:01:44COMMISSIONER DALTON AND

5:01:45COMMISSIONER MATA AND MY

5:01:47THANKS ESPECIALLY TO EVERYONE

5:01:48THAT TESTIFIED AND AGAIN I

5:01:50CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH TO THE

5:01:52PUBLIC THAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE

5:01:53AN OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY

5:01:55TODAY SEND US YOUR TESTIMONY

5:01:56IN WRITING IT WILL ABSOLUTELY

5:01:58BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD AND

5:02:00AS THE COMMITTEE PREPARES A

5:02:01REPORT ABOUT TODAY'S

5:02:02.>>HEARING IT WILL ABSOLUTELY

5:02:04BE INCLUDED AS WE MAKE

5:02:06DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO PURSUE

5:02:08DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS YOU

5:02:09KNOW ONE THING THAT I THINK IS

5:02:11CERTAINLY CALLING OUT FOR

5:02:15LEGISLATIVE CLARIFICATION IS

5:02:16WHEN COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN VISIT

5:02:18BORDEN AVENUE AND SHELTERS IN

5:02:20GENERAL I THINK A LOT OF MY

5:02:21COLLEAGUES WHO AGREE ON VERY

5:02:25LITTLE ALL AGREE THAT COUNCIL

5:02:27MEMBERS HAVE AN IMPORTANT

5:02:27OVERSIGHT ROLE TO PLAY AND

5:02:28WE'LL WORK TO CLARIFY THAT IN

5:02:30TERMS OF LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE.

5:02:33>>WITH THAT I'M GRATEFUL T

5:02:34OEVERYONE WHO ATTENDED TODAY'S

5:02:36HEARING GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE

5:02:37WHO WATCHED AND WITH THAT THIS

5:02:40HEARING I