CM Banks on agency training and rent freeze outreach bill

Thank you, Chairs, and thank you to my colleagues for the opportunity to speak on this important legislation.

For many older adults here in New Yorkers with disabilities, a scree injury can mean the difference between remaining in their homes and being displaced by another rent increase.

As we all know, our city is in the midst of an affordability crisis, and these programs are critical.

But they only work when eligible New Yorkers know they exist and receive accurate guidance when they ask for help.

Too often, residents visit a city agency seeking assistance but leave even more confused without clear information about whether they qualify or how to apply or how to renew

their benefits or where to submit an application.

A misrenewal or an incorrect referral can place someone's housing stability at risk.

And this is, in this affordability crisis, that's something that we can't risk and we can't afford to take.

This bill addresses that service gap.

It would require the Department of Finance to provide annual SCRI and DREES training to designated personnel at city agencies that regularly serve older adults and people with disabilities.

The training would cover eligibility requirements, application renewal procedures, key program features, reasonable accommodations, and proper referrals.

The bill would also expand existing outreach requirements to include DRE,

add the Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities as a participating agency, and require annual reporting to the council so we can ensure that the training is taking place.

The principle is simple.

When New Yorkers reach out to their government for help, they should receive accurate information and be directed to the right place.

They should not be sent from office to office or risk losing benefits because the person assisting them was never properly trained.

Every city agency that regularly services older adults and people with disabilities should be equipped to connect eligible residents with these rent-freeze programs.

For our constituents, that knowledge can protect their homes, preserves their independence, and provides much-needed financial stability.

So again, I urge the members of this joint committee and every member of the council to sign.

and support this legislation.

Together, we can make the city government easier to navigate and ensure that screen injury reached New Yorkers.

These programs were created to protect.

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

Now I will pass the microphone to Councilmember Lewis to give the statement on her legislation.