Pepper Pavlish of Homeless Services United testifies in support of all five bills
Pepper Pavlish of Homeless Services United says the coalition represents more than 55 providers and supports Intros 98, 100, 101, 641, and T2026-1424. She calls for effective implementation to make CityFHEPS clearer, more transparent, and more efficient.
Hi, good afternoon.
My name is Pepper Pavlish, and I'm the Director of Communication and Member Support at Homeless Services United.
Thank you.
HSU is a coalition representing more than 55 mission-driven homeless service providers throughout New York City.
We thank the New York City Council for considering these important improvements to the City FEPS program.
As a coalition representing providers across the five boroughs, we know firsthand about the challenges faced by organizations on the ground and the clients we serve.
As it currently stands, CityFEP is riddled with delays, disruptions, and bureaucratic hurdles.
That impede the process of applying for and assessing housing for tens and thousands of eligible recipients.
We support the five pieces of legislation being discussed today, Intro 98, Intro 100, Intro 101, Intro 641, and T20.
2026-1424.
And we are resolute in our assessment that effective implementation by the city remains essential to the success, sorry, to their success.
These introductions improve city FEP's voucher administrations by standardizing the unit inspection process, establishing clear limits and application timelines,
mandating reporting on how long it takes for voucher recipients to secure and move into stable housing, ensure voucher payments are made to landlords on time, and creating a portal for more efficient program administration and documentation.
However, we need reassurance that the HRA will implement these processes according to legislation, thereby making the process of applying for, receiving, and securing housing with city FEPs increasingly clear, transparent, and efficient.
Our written testimony provides additional details on HSU's evidence-based advocacy in support of these bills.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony.