CCC Testimony: Oversight: An Examination of the Department of Homeless Services’ 90-Day Review

Published April, 2016

On April 21, 2016, CCC testified before the New York City Council General Welfare Committee on the Department of Homeless Services’ 90-Day Review. Given the historic levels of homelessness and the numerous challenges homeless children and their families have been facing in New York City, we hope that the 90-day review will ultimately help to prevent homelessness, improve the transition of homeless families to permanent housing, and ensure the safety and well-being of homeless children and their families. CCC expressed appreciation for the inclusion of key programmatic reforms in the City’s plans aimed at preventing homelessness, increasing shelter safety, and assisting families in exiting shelter into stable, affordable housing. CCC’s recommendations include additional efforts to prevent family homelessness by enhancing the child welfare housing subsidy; expedite the elimination of cluster sites for children and families; increase investments in services that keep children safe and address trauma; ensure homeless children have access to child care; and put efforts in place to ensure transparency under the new management structure. CCC also expressed the critical importance that the State and the City work as parts to create new supportive housing, address shelter conditions, and more.