Graham Horn testifies on Intro 897 and shelter conditions
Horn introduces himself from NYLAG, supports Intro 897, opposes forced removals, describes shelter accessibility issues, curfews, policing, and the need for compassion.
Good afternoon.
Thank you for holding this hearing.
Just turn your mic on and make sure it's nice and close.
It is on, but I'll bring it closer.
Great, thank you.
My name is Graham Horn.
I'm a coordinating attorney on NILAG's Shelter and Economic Stability Project.
NILAG also boasts a robust veterans practice.
Also within our public benefits unit, I would like to personally thank all former and active service members.
And I would also like to thank the city administration and commissioners for staying to listen.
That's an incredibly welcome change.
We are supportive of Intro 897, which does not include language encouraging forced removals.
But instead calls for continued efforts to offer shelter and warming bus options during cold and severe weather.
Forced removals to shelter are violent disruptions that have absolutely no productive consequences.
People do not choose to sleep outside.
Rather, congregate shelter does not meet the needs of its intended residents.
My written testimony describes many fixes to shelter that would work towards the goal of limiting street homelessness, not through force, but by offering a stabilizing and supportive alternative.
would be to restore trust between street outreach workers and our unhoused neighbors, and also to expand the availability of single and double room placements within our shelters.
Additionally, our buildings suffer from enormous structural accessibility issues.
Even our new mail intake facility is inaccessible.
The difficulty of obtaining reasonable accommodations without an advocate's additional support.
Unavailability of shelter transfers even after violent events.
Curfew policies, intake onerousness, intense policing, difficulty of bringing emotional support animals even when credentialed into the spaces.
If our goal is to reduce unsheltered homelessness, we must work through compassion to meet the needs of those who currently cannot accept placement in our shelters.
On our coldest nights, we must offer warmth.
Thank you.
Thank you.