Hudson questions DSS on Veteran Services coordination for LGBTQ+ veterans

How does DSS coordinate with the Department for Veteran Services to ensure that LGBTQ plus veterans seeking shelter are housed appropriately?

And can you share what that intake process looks like?

Thank you for the question.

So DHS has intake centers that serves those that are seeking temporary housing assistance throughout the five boroughs.

We have intake centers for families with children.

We have those for adult families, as well as single men and single women.

And it's at the intake center where we ask a series of questions for those that are seeking temporary housing to better assist them based on their circumstances and needs that brought them into the system.

We also offer a...

Voluntary gender ID screener for those who, while we don't ask for their specific sexual orientation, we do have this voluntary screener.

And depending on how they, if they choose to either complete the screener or if they prefer to self-identify.

So for those individuals that prefer to self-identify as either being part of the LGBTQI or TGNC,

in addition to if they articulate that they are a veteran, we will work with them to provide accommodation that best suits their needs as LGBTQI, TGNC, and or a veteran.

Or if they just choose to go into a TGNC program, we will definitely offer them.

those accommodations as well.

Thank you.