Erin Dalton: TGNC advisory group and Shelter Accessibility Board
Dalton highlights the forthcoming TGNC advisory group of 6-8 clients with homelessness experience, and the Shelter Accessibility Board's recommendations including safety escorts and transportation considerations for TGNC clients.
I want to take this opportunity to spotlight our forthcoming TGNC advisory group.
It is a group that has been several years in the making.
This client advisory group aims to engage community-based expertise, bring insights around what is working and what is not working, and what measures we can take to improve programs, services, and the experiences of TGNC individuals in the shelter system.
This advisory group will include six to eight clients who have experience with homelessness, and we aim for this advisory group to begin meeting later this year.
I also want to highlight the work of our Shelter Accessibility Board here.
This nine-member board meets quarterly and is the result of Local Law 23 of 2023.
The board issued its first suite of recommendations in January.
Those initial recommendations centered on acts
access support, workforce and staffing, and critical amenities.
The board also focused on inclusivity, especially the safety needs of the TGNC population.
The board recommended providers assess and mitigate client safety concerns in their community for individuals and their independent living plan.
For example, the advisory board recommended shelter staff
offer escorts to the bus and train.
As a result of these recommendations, the TGNC shelter is now offering these escorts.
The board also recommended that DHS take into account and consideration accessibility of transportation when making shelter placement determinations.
We are taking a close look at how we can move forward with the board's recommendations and remain committed to an approach to service provision that ensures client safety and breaks down obstacles to housing and security.
To provide an example on the point of breaking down barriers, we know that identification document mismatch can create barriers for our transgender clients.
And our DSS, HRA, DHS systems providers and staff, in accordance with New York City law, use a person's preferred name even if they have not legally changed it.
External entities, credit checks, proof of employment, or lease documents present challenges for transgender people seeking housing.
In alignment with our commitment to helping clients find the support they need, staff are expected to work with TGNC clients to facilitate their road to independent living, including referrals for legal assistance with name changes.