Kelvin Wallace testifies on 11-month shelter journey and need for 15-day response

Good day, Chair Hudson and distinguished members of the City Council Committee on General Welfare.

My name is Kelvin Wallace.

I am a program participant at Thantos Home and a founding member of their new initiative, the Speakers Bureau.

I'd like to share my experience transitioning from a DHS shelter in the Bronx to permanent housing in a vibrant community of Harlem.

I'm here to share my experiences navigating New York City Department of Homeless Shelter System and securing the CityFEP's voucher and finally finding a permanent home.

I'll be testifying in support of Councilmember Gail Brewer's legislation to improve CityFEP's processes, especially voucher response times.

I've searched for an affordable apartment for months, but my savings ran out.

I got scammed several times during my search.

I eventually ran out of options.

Thus began my 11-month journey navigating the New York City shelter system.

I entered on November 17, 2024.

I was initially told that I would be at the shelter for 90 days.

It seemed as if my particular case didn't warrant extra steps, and I should be able to move through the process quickly.

I'll explain in my written testimony the steps I took before each IOP meeting to be in compliance while still it took many months to obtain my city FEDS voucher while in the shelter.

It felt as if the goalposts for the applications were constantly being moved without any sense of purpose or clarity in the explanation.

It took me seven and a half years.

months living in the shelter trying to do it on my own because my case manager kept changing just to learn how to apply for the city FEPS voucher and have all the required paperwork in hand.

This leads me to emphasize how connecting with Ansel's home became the best thing that could happen to me.

In two short months I was escorted to

tour three different apartments.

The last one visited became my current residence.

Working alongside the staff at Anthos Home provided me with the help I needed to cut through the overwhelming bureaucracy.

Honestly, I don't know how anyone is expected to handle this process on their own or with very little support.

Clearly, some common sense legislation

Reform is needed.

And if nothing else, to have everyone, state, city agency, shelter case workers, and residents who are recipients of the much-needed services all on the same page.

Council Member Brewer's bill would require Department of Social Services to respond to an application for a city-ship voucher.

Within 15 days after receiving the application, the response would inform the applicant of whether the application has been approved, denied, or requires correction or additional information.

Bottom line, all city FEPS processes should be about the removal of any guesswork, impediments for applying for, receiving, and using the voucher.

I truly believe that a centralized standard, which is applicable across the board, would not only streamline the process, but makes the training.

transition from homelessness and housing insecurity less traumatizing.

Just the mere fact of being in the shelter system is testimony enough of how urgent housing voucher application reform is greatly needed.

These desperately needed changes to the process would be a dramatic improvement to the current state of uncertainty and apprehension felt by many attempting to navigate the requirements of DHS and the administrative staff at the shelter facility.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to testify before you today.

Thank you so much for your testimony.

Thank you.

Thank you.