CM Pierina Sanchez questions OMB on CityFEPs vs shelter cost comparison
Sanchez asks OMB to confirm that CityFEPs houses roughly double the people at half the cost of shelter. Solomon agrees CityFEPs is a lifeline but does not directly confirm the cost comparison, noting shelter census continues rising in certain populations while voucher savings haven't yet materialized on the shelter side.
Is this a fair characterization?
FEPS houses roughly double the number of people, City FEPS houses roughly double the number of people at roughly half the cost as shelter, not accounting for this no bid contract I just mentioned, about 82,000 people
with $3.2 billion being spent in shelter contracts and staffing versus 153,000 people, double the number of people, at $1.8 billion for City FEPS.
Is this a fair characterization?
The DSS Commissioner did not answer my question during her hearing, so I'm hoping that you all will.
So I think that with respect to the City FEPS program, we know that it's a lifeline for many New Yorkers.
We know that we want to be able to focus on how we could sustain the actual program.
We know that as well, we've seen the shelter census continue to increase in certain populations.
The families with children began to decline, but we've seen single adults continue to increase.
And so we, as the city FEPS voucher program continued to rise and hadn't been budgeted for, as you know, as we discussed, we haven't also seen those savings in the shelter side.
We would like to see that happen, and we're actively managing with all of the new leadership that we have.
both at the agency level and at City Hall.
It's something we're constantly focused on.
So we want to move out of hotels.
We want to be able to connect people with permanent housing.
That is our goal as we look to move forward as an administration.
Thank you.
FEPS houses double the number of people at half the cost in shelter.
Fair characterization or not?
I would respectfully say that we agree that FEPS is a lifeline for New Yorkers, and we'll continue to work with you.
I know you're passionate about this issue, and we're having productive talks.
Thank you, Commissioner.
I don't know if that's a demotion or a promotion.
Thank you.
These are numbers that you all, the agencies, are putting out, so it would be helpful to make sure we just have the same understanding.
So thank you, Director.
Okay, great.
I'm going to take a brief pause because, Deputy Speaker, do you want to introduce the special group?