Deepen NYC Budget Investments to Better Support LGBTQ Youth
Testimony & Public Comments
June 24, 2026
On June 24, Senior Policy Associate Caitlyn Passaretti submitted testimony the New York City Council Committees on General Welfare and Women and Gender Equity Oversight Hearing. On behalf of CCC, the testimony primarily centers on the needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth, including housing and service investment, as nearly 40% of RHY youth identify as LGBTQIA+ statewide.
Read the testimony below.
Testimony of Caitlyn Passaretti
Senior Policy Associate
Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York
Submitted to the New York City Council
Committees on General Welfare and Women and Gender Equity
Oversight Hearing: Housing Instability Among LGBTQ+ Individuals in NYC
June 24, 2026
For 80 years, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC) has been an independent voice for children advancing child and family well-being through research, advocacy, and civic engagement. With deep expertise in data, policy and child-serving systems, CCC champions proven solutions and mobilizes allies to secure reforms that improve child outcomes and promote equity. CCC drives systemic change to ensure every child is healthy, housed, educated, and safe.
We would like to thank Chair Farías, Chair Hudson and all the members of the City Council Committee on Women and Gender Equity and General Welfare for hosting this oversight hearing on housing instability among LGBTQIA+ individuals in New York City. Our testimony will center on the needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth, as nearly 40% of RHY youth identify as LGBTQIA+ statewide.[1]
Deepen Investments to Better Support Runaway and Homeless Youth
Numerous challenges face Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) in New York. The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is responsible for supporting this population; however, it is not uncommon for RHY to also be involved with ACS, DHS, and HRA in efforts to access permanent housing or social services. Currently, RHY providers across the city report that DYCD does not have sufficient capacity for young people (especially older youth).[2] As a result, many young people resort to living on the streets or in other dangerous living situations. City leaders must ensure that RHY have access to more beds and greater supports.
We urge the City to increase provider rates, which have not been updated since 2017, to $80,000 per bed to provide safe, temporary housing for youth who otherwise would be without a stable housing option. The City must also expand housing capacity for older youth ages 21–24, ensuring that all 100 planned beds for this population are brought online (currently only 60 beds are operational due to the low rates).
Invest in Supports for Queer and Trans New Yorkers
CCC joins the NYC Trans and Queer Coalition in calling for investments into critical supports that would support the trans and queer community, as well as increase stabilization, safety, and access to care. Housing is key to safety – and funding these additional initiatives will support people finding housing as well as care and stability.
- Invest $4 million for the Mayor’s Trans Emergency Care Fund: The current funding at $2 million is not enough to support trans people experiencing crises. The increase in funding would provide flexible funding for urgent needs like housing and safety.
- Invest $10 million for the Trans Equity Initiative Fund: Increasing funding for this fund is crucial to stabilize community-based organizations delivering critical care, housing, and supports.
- Invest $15 million for the Gender Affirming Care for Youth Fund: The current $3.5 million is not enough to support gender affirming care. The increased investment would expand access to critical gender affirming medical and mental health care for youth, offset rising costs for providers and ensure continuity of care despite federal rollbacks, support trusted, affirming providers serving trans and gender-expansive youth and reduce barriers so young people can access care safely, regardless of income or insurance
- Invest $10 million for the Supports for Persons Involved in the Sex Trade Fund: New Yorkers involved in the sex trade—especially LGBTQ+, trans, and gender-expansive individuals—face high rates of violence, housing instability, and criminalization, yet current funding at $3.5M is not enough to meet the need for safe, affirming support. Everyone deserves safety, dignity, and support—without stigma or criminalization.
- Invest $15 million for a NEW LGBTQIA+ Immigrant Fund: LGBTQIA+ immigrants in New York face compounded barriers—from legal insecurity to housing instability and lack of access to affirming services—yet there is currently no dedicated funding stream to support their unique needs.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
