Testimony

The Network has recently delivered the following testimonies. 

Network NYS Testimony

• January 31, 2024: Testimony to the New York State Joint Assembly and Senate Budget Hearing on Human Services
  The Network testifies on the need to convert at-risk NYSSP units to ESSHI through a five-year phased in approach and include a 3.2% COLA in the executive budget for human services workers.
• December 18, 2024: Testimony to the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Housing
  The Network testifies on the need to modernize the 30+ year old NYS Supportive Housing Program and convert the units to Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative through a five-year phased in approach.
• February 13, 2023: Testimony to the New York State Joint Assembly and Senate Budget Hearing on Human Services
  The Network testifies on the need to increase funding for the NYS Supportive Housing Program, to create a flexible Preservation Fund for existing supportive housing and to include NYSSHP workers in the 8.5% COLA. 
• February 2, 2022: Testimony to the New York State Senate and Assembly Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on 2022-23 Human Services
  The Network testifies on the need for the executive budget to include an increase in funding for the NYS Supportive Housing Program and include the NYS Housing Initiative in the 5.4% COLA. 
• December 14, 2021: Testimony to the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services
  The Network testifies on the need for a preservation fund to address the aging physical needs of buildings.  
• October 27, 2021: Testimony to the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Housing
  The Network testifies on the need for an expansion on state committment to supportive housing units.
• February 5, 2020: Testimony to the New York State Senate and Assembly Joint Legislative Public Hearing on 2020-21 Executive Budget Proposal: Topic Housing
  The Network testifies on the need for the executive budget to include funding for the next five years of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). 

Network NYC Testimony

• October 22, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Zoning, and Franchises
  The Network testifies in support of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunities plan and its overarching goal to expand affordable housing accross the five boroughs.
• September 23, 2024: Testimony befor the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction Jointly with the Committee on Public Safety, Committee on Hospitals, and the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management 
  The Network testifies on the need for B-HEARD to be dispatched to the newly expaned 988 mental health crisis hot-line and to fully invest in a true peer-led mental health crisis response program.
• June 4, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Contracts
  The Network testifies on the impacts of late contract payments and the challenges with PASSPort system implementation.
• May 14, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Finance, Housing and Buildings
  The Network testifies on the reductions in the Mayor's Office of Contracts services and asked that the Council adopts best practices of CCIT-NYC's model and focus on placing trained peers on B-HEARD response teams.
• May 13, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Health, Mental Health, Disabilities, & Addiction
  The Network testifies on the need to ensure that nonprofits that employ human services workers are paid on time, asked that the Council adopts best practices of CCIT-NYC's model and focus on placing trained peers on B-HEARD response teams and thanked the Council for supporting the Network's NYC 15/15 reallocation proposal.
• May 6th, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare
  The Network testifies on the need to ensure nonprofits that employ essential workers are paid on time, restore funds to personnel and non-personnel services, adopt the best practices and features of the CCIT-NYC model by focusing on placing trained peers on the B-HEARD response team and fully restore prior B-HEARD PEG cuts. 
• March 21, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, & Addiction
  The Network testifies on the need to improve NYC 15/15, adopt the best practices and features of the CCIT-NYC model, and fully fund and staff City agencies building and filling affordable and supportive housing.
• March 11, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings
  The Network testifies on the need to improve NYC 15/15 by reallocating over 6,000 scattered site units, call for a 5% COLA for city-contracted human service workers, and fully fund and staff City agencies building and filling affordable and supportive housing.
• March 11, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare
  The Network testifies on the need to improve NYC 15/15 by reallocating over 6,000 scattered site units, call for a 5% COLA for city-contracted human service workers, and fully fund and staff City agencies building and filling affordable and supportive housing.
• December 10, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Finance
  The Network testifies in opposition to the Mayor's proposed PEGS and urged the council to hold housing and homeless-related agencies harmless from cuts.
• December 7, 2024: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare, Housing & Buildings Mental Health & Veterans
  The Network testifies in opposition of Mayor Adams 15% proposed budget cuts, urging the city to adopt the Network's 15/15 Reallocation Plan, advocated that the city #JustPay human service workers, and expand supportive housing opportunities for those leaving jail/prison. 
• September 27, 2023: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare
  The Network testifies on processing delays at HRA, the need to create a system to expedite the process of one shot deal applications and to exempt DSS and HRA from PEGS to ensure supportive housing tenants have resources they need.
• March 21, 2023: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction
  The Network testifies on the need for an increase in service rates for scattered site contracts, reallocation of NYC 15/15 funding for preservation, and to expand IMT teams to supportive housing residents. 
• February 23, 2023: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings
  The Network testifies in support of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (Intro 106) and Public Land for Public Good (Intro 637), speaking to how they would help further the production and expansion of supportive housing in New York City.
• May 9, 2022: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare
  The Network testifies on the high vacany rates and proposed measures to address the situation. 
• March 14, 2022: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings
  The Network testifies on the need for an increase in investment for affordable and supportive housing and an increase in resources to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
• March 9, 2022: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare 
  The Network testifies on the need for an increase in funding to the supportive housing workforce, supportive housing contracts, and to provide support to the agencies and systems responsible for referrals and placements.
• December 6, 2021: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on the state of Single Adult Homelessness
  The Network testifies on the state of single adult homelessness in New York City.
• November 17, 2021: Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection
  The Network testifies on the impact of electrification goals on supportive housing and to increase investments in sustainable development.
• May 21, 2020: Testimony to the New York City Council Subcommittee on the Capital Budget
  The Network testifies, along with a number of our member agencies, about proposed cuts to HPD’s capital budget.​
• March 2, 2020: Testimony to New York City Council Finance Committee on the Preliminary Budget
  The Network testifies on the need to include a 3% COLA in human services contracts in the FY 2021 Executive Budget.