Administration for Children's Services311Search all NYC.gov websites
January 22, 2015
New York City Public Agency Leaders Convene to Address Housing Needs
The leadership of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the Human Resources Administration (HRA), the Housing Preservation Department (HPD), the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, and the Office of the Deputy Mayor met on January 22, 2015 for a special cross systems informational session on housing needs of families served by NYC human service agencies.
The meeting was convened at the request of Deputy Mayor of Health & Human Services, Lilliam Barrios-Paoli to promote closer collaboration among agency partners to address the housing needs of families the agencies jointly serve. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Jacqueline O. McKnight, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Child Welfare Program, ACS at ACS’ Central Office located at 150 William Street in lower Manhattan.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. McKnight said, “We are aware of the importance of stable housing and we want to ensure that we are sharing our thoughts and resources to address the vulnerable needs of our children and families.” She said the meeting was intended to highlight ways to prevent homelessness, present new initiatives, and to focus on identifying and accessing resources to support families in finding permanent housing. Describing the profile of families receiving ACS protective, preventive, and foster care services, Dr. McKnight noted many are also receiving services from the HRA (65.3%), NYCHA (22.6) or DHS (11. 4%). She said that among many of these families were mental health, substance and domestic violence concerns.
Attendees heard from a panel made up of leaders from each agency each of whom gave a brief overview of the services available to families: Jahmani Hylton, Deputy Commissioner, DHS; Andrea Reid, Assistant Commissioner, Prevention Services, DHS; Bruce Jordan, Chief Homelessness Prevention Officer, HRA; Nora Reissig, Director of Family Services Department, NYCHA; Vito Mustaciuolo, Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement and Neighborhood Services, HPD, Margaret Brown Assistant Commissioner for Policy & Operations, (HPD); Elizabeth Dank, General Counsel, Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence; Jackie Martin, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Preventive Services, ACS; and Judi Trotter, Director of Housing Support Services, ACS.
Deputy Commissioner Hylton informed the attendees that the current homeless population stands at 58,000, which includes approximately 13,000 families with children. He said the top reasons for homelessness are evictions, domestic violence, and overcrowding. “Poverty often manifests as homelessness,” he noted. He added that the vast majority of homeless families are headed by single females, a factor to keep in mind when providing services to families. Assistant Commissioner Reid outlined efforts by DHS to prevent homelessness including family or tenant/landlord mediation, household budgeting, emergency rental assistance, job training and placement, and benefits advocacy (child care, food stamps, tax credits, public health insurance). DHS operates and maintains over 170 shelters for families with children throughout the 5 boroughs.
Deputy Commissioner Martin described the array of preventive services that can help to keep families in their homes, including home-making and home attendant services as well as mental health and domestic violence, substance abuse and family and youth intervention programs. Housing Support Director Judi Trotter spoke about ACS’ efforts to prepare youth transitioning out of care to secure and maintain housing. Nora Reissig spoke about NYCHA’s Family Reentry Project, a collaboration with DHS, The Vera Institute’s Family Justice Program, and the Corporation for Supportive Housing that reunites formerly incarcerated individuals with their families in public housing while also providing them with services. Elizabeth Dank informed attendees about the services of the Family Justice Centers citywide which provide criminal justice, civil legal, and social services all in one location for victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, and sex trafficking.
Following the panel presentations, the discussion centered around how the agencies could collaborate on improving the process of referring families for services offered by each agency. Bruce Jordan shared ways in which HRA can collaborate with ACS to maximize the resources of both agencies in helping families to pay housing costs. Representing HPD, Commissioner Mustaciuolo pledged to use the resources of his agency to help prevent families from entering the shelter system because of unsafe conditions in their homes.
In closing the meeting, Dr. McKnight encouraged attendees to ensure that the information gained is shared with all staff who work directly with families. Further meetings are planned in each borough as part of efforts to establish and strengthen linkages that can improve service delivery to families.
ACS OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Contact: pressoffice@acs.nyc.gov (212) 341-0999