Laura Pennington (Pinnacle Community Services) on upstate shelter funding crisis
Laura Pennington of Pinnacle Community Services testifies via Zoom about operating a 12-bed RHY shelter in Niagara County, the sole provider serving as overflow for Erie County. She warns that five upstate shelters lost federal Basic Center Program funding, that all of upstate NY has only 350 beds, and that without the HHS grant continuing past October 1, many providers including hers may be forced to close.
We're going to Zoom now.
Thank you everyone who came here to share your thoughts and experience.
We will...
If there's anyone left in the room who wishes to speak but has not yet had the opportunity to do so, please raise your hand and fill out an appearance card with the sergeant of arms at the back of the room.
Okay, so you can give it to the sergeant of arms, and I can get it after.
Okay.
So anyone who wishes to speak, everyone, okay?
Seeing no hands being raised, we will now shift to Zoom testimony.
When your name is called, please wait until a member of our team unmutes you and the sergeant of our arm indicates that you can begin.
The first Zoom panelist will be Laura Pennington.
You may begin.
Thank you and good afternoon.
Pinnacle Community Services operates a 12-bed runaway and homeless youth shelter in Niagara County.
Casey House.
Not only are we the sole provider in our own county, but we are also the overflow provider for Erie County, a larger county which also has very high rates of homelessness among youth.
I am certain that New York State or New York City also relies on your neighbors on Long Island and Westchester counties as you as they do on you to provide for homeless youth.
Last year, five shelters in upstate New York lost their primary funding due to changes in federal priorities.
With only a few days notice, they were made aware that their three-year Health and Human Services Basic Center Program funding would not receive continuation.
This grant, the primary funding source for runaway and homeless services in upstate New York,
truly is required to continue.
Currently, we receive about an average of 5,600 per bed.
Per year in upstate New York funding.
This comes from the state and local counties.
When we add that to the basic center funding, we are having losses that are already at threats.
Upstate New York providers have long faced budgetary deficits in our RISE shelters and have worked together to advocate for additional funding from every level of government.
Last year, upstate programs began stronger advocacy efforts and combined our efforts with New York City providers as the challenging of funding affects us all.
With closures of shelters in upstate New York, the reliance on city-based shelters will grow.
As youth migrate to remaining shelters already at capacity.
Our own shelter at Pinnacle has been threatened by huge deficits due to underfunding for years, and our board of directors has had to consider closure.
due to large budget deficits.
The Rye Basic Center grant through HHS
Without it, we would have to close.
As would many other providers.
This three-year grant goes in cycles.
And we are currently- Thank you, your time has expired.
Regarding whether beginning October 1st, we will receive our funding.
That's just 14 days away.