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About the Department of Social Services

The New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Through integrated management for HRA and DHS, client services can be provided more seamlessly and effectively. The City leverages shared services functions across agencies, which results in better day‐to‐day management and building an integrated mission across agencies.

About the Human Resources Administration

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. As the largest local social services agency in the country, HRA helps more than three million New Yorkers annually through the administration of more than 15 major public assistance programs.

Commission on Community Reinvestment Report

Established by Local Law in 2019, the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island is committed to the process of equitable reinvestment of savings from the closure of Rikers for justice-involved and justice-impacted communities. The local law empowers the Commission to operate until 2027, engage stakeholders for public input, and issue periodic reinvestment recommendations and findings to which the Mayor is required to respond. The Commission recognizes the importance of community engagement and the voices, the opinions, and the participation of those with lived experiences as well as collaboration with representatives from community-based organizations, service providers, and government agencies.

Read the 2021 Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island Report.

Read the 2022 Mayoral Response to Recommendations from the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island.

Return to Office Plan 

In May 2021. each City agency was required to submit a report to the Mayoral Restart Taskforce per DCAS' guidance, Managing the Return to the Office in the Age of COVID-19, updated March 2021.

Read the DSS COVID-19 Return to Office Plan 2021.