Council Member Brewer remarks on her three CityFHEPS bills, Hudson notes op-eds
Brewer says CityFHEPS is important and can save up to $635 million in shelter costs. She explains Intros 98, 100, and 101 on inspections, lease-up reporting, and 15-day responses, thanks advocates and staff, and Hudson notes recent op-eds.
Thank you very much for holding this hearing and for discussing this topic.
I think we know how important city FEPS are.
We know that families who leave for permanent housing do so with city FEPS voucher and all the challenges.
We know that rental assistance with vouchers could save the city up to $635 million in shelter costs, and we know how much has gone into this discussion about city FEPS.
I introduced three bills, and I want to thank women in need in particular for their support in the crafting of these bills, as well as the council staff.
Until 98 would make the inspection system more practical.
Apartments still have to be safe, but if an owner fixes a few minor problems, we do not need to send an inspector back when photos or video can show the work was done.
Serious problems would still require another inspection.
That is after much.
examples, many examples of this problem.
Intro 100 would tell us how long it actually takes someone to go from receiving
even a voucher to move into an apartment.
If people are waiting too long, we need to know what the delays are.
I know it's hard on the agency to have to fill out more paperwork and to do more intensive data analysis, but we really need to know that.
Inter 101 would require the agency, DSS, to inspect.
To respond to a City FEPS application within 15 days, whether it is approved, denied, or needs more information.
No one should wait weeks or months just to find out what's happening with an application.
I hope these are practical.
We certainly need the safeguards.
We need to cut unnecessary delays.
And everyone wants individuals to get into housing faster.
We have many people coming into our office with all of these kinds of questions.
So thank you to Christine Quinn, Chris Mann, everybody at Wynn, and all the advocates, and certainly Cynthia Hornig and Shula Puder for my staff.
Thank you very much.
And we had an op-ed on this topic yesterday in AM New York.
Thank you.
And one in the Daily News.
Yes.
This morning.
Yes.
I read it.
Thank you, Councilmember Brewer.