Family Homelessness Coalition Statement on Mayor Adams’ State of the City Address


Press Releases

January 26, 2023

Advocates Urge Mayor to Prioritize Addressing Homelessness, Increase Eligibility to Housing Vouchers and Fill Vacant Support Positions

NEW YORK, NY – In response to Mayor Adam’s 2023 State of the City Address, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, New Destiny Housing and Enterprise Community Partners issued the following statement on behalf of the Family Homelessness Coalition:

“We are pleased that Mayor Adams called for expanded access to critical benefits and healthcare that countless New Yorkers rely on in his State of the City address. At a time when families are struggling to pay their rent and secure permanent housing, it is critical that the Adams administration commit to shoring up the social services workforce and invest in essential programs to overcome the monthslong delays in issuing cash aid, food stamps and housing subsidies. The Mayor’s proposed cuts outlined in the preliminary budget would not only fail to expand access to vital services – they would deepen the city’s acute housing crisis and make it harder for families to secure the permanent housing they desperately need.

Ongoing staffing shortages across agencies – especially the Human Resources Administration – continue to cause bottlenecks and leave countless families waiting for life-saving supports like cash assistance, food stamps, and CityFHEPS housing vouchers. There are many vacant positions citywide, including shelter community coordinator positions, that need to be filled to ensure our city’s most vulnerable residents can begin to access the resources they need. Mayor Adams must guarantee the safety and stability of New York’s children by opening access to CityFHEPS – which includes eliminating the 90-day shelter stay requirement – and investing in proven programs to truly improve government efficiency, alleviate our city’s housing crisis, and expedite the process for families seeking housing vouchers, SNAP benefits, and cash assistance.”

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This statement is from the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, Enterprise Community Partners and New Destiny Housing on behalf of the Family Homelessness Coalition.

ABOUT

The Family Homelessness Coalition (FHC) is composed of 18 organizations representing service and housing providers and children’s advocacy organizations. FHC is united by the goal of launching a coordinated, collaborative, multi-agency effort focused on preventing family homelessness, improving the well-being of children and families in shelters, and supporting the long-term stability of families with children who leave shelters.

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