Relates to requiring the Department of Homeless Services to notify the affected community board prior to locating transitional housing for the homeless; requires written notification sixty days before the department enters into a contractual arrangement with a transitional housing provider or otherwise finalizes its decision to use or expand a location as transitional housing.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6879
SPONSOR: Blake TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to requiring the Department of Homeless Services to notify the
affected community board prior to locating transitional housing for the
homeless
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that community leaders and residents are aware of the poten-
tial changes in their area as to allow for their input and partic-
ipation.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one requires the commissioner to provide written notification to
the community board, the offices of all elected leaders who have juris-
diction over that area, and neighboring Tenant Association presidents.
It specifies that this written notification should provide a set of
details including but not limited to the address of the potential
project, a description of services that would be provided, and an
amount-estimate of persons from that borough that would be housed under
the proposed project.
Section 2 defines the effective date of this act.
JUSTIFICATION:
While understanding that there is a Homelessness crisis in our city and
state, we must ensure that residents and community leader have an oppor-
tunity to be fully aware of a potential effort. Notifying these parties
in advance will give them an adequate amount of time to learn of the
initiative, understand any concerns and discuss the path forward so that
the community is fully apart of the process. The current DHS proposal of
a seven day notification is insufficient for creating an inclusive and
collaborative process the community can engage in.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Not yet introduced.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become a
law.
