David Miranda: Youth homelessness, foster care pipeline, and data gaps
Miranda highlights the foster care-to-homelessness pipeline for LGBTQ+ youth, with over one-third of foster youth identifying as LGBTQ+. He also argues that NYC's data collection misses hidden homelessness, including couch surfing and informal arrangements, requiring street-level outreach to capture.
Moving on to the youth shelter, I would not, to youth homelessness, I would not, a conversation about housing instability within this community would not be complete if we did not talk about youth homelessness.
Without familiar support, the city must provide additional support to ensure
ensure that youth are valued, supported, and have the opportunity to create a better life for themselves.
Additionally, LGBTQIA youth are disproportionately represented in the foster care system, with more than one-third of youth identifying as LGBTQIA, and then there aren't systems in place
to ensure that they can go into stable housing.
Instead, there's a foster care to homelessness pipeline.
And onto the final topic, New York City's demographic data collection creates a hidden homelessness crisis.
There are many more people who are LGBTQIA+,
who do not have stable housing, who are not in shelter.
And if we're only counting by who's in shelter, then we're missing those folks who are out there couch surfing or sleeping on the train or going from friend to friend or in houses, right?
Like in sort of those less traditional,
where there might be some more stability that could be provided.
So we do have to figure out ways to measure that data.
I think it could be done.
It's going to take a lot of street walking, literally, like walking on the street and hitting that pavement and talking to community members.
And I think that's important.
And just to wrap up, I just want to thank the council for your attention to this issue.
I urge the council to ensure that the agencies serving LGBTQIA New Yorkers, including HRA, DHS, and DYCD, fulfill their mission.
of providing safe, affirming, and equitable services.
Pride must be more than a celebration.
It must be reflected in policies and programs that protect the housing stability, health, and dignity of LGBTQIA plus New Yorkers.
And again, this hearing speaks volumes to that, that at least we're somewhat
the one of the way there.
So I thank you for that.
And I thank you for the opportunity to testify today.