Testimonies

VOA-GNY testified before the NYC Council on legislation to improve how homeless New Yorkers interact with City systems, including supporting measures to reduce erroneous benefit and shelter denials and recommending stronger data sharing and coordination amongst street outreach teams.

VOA-GNY delivered testimony to the New York Housing Committee on priorities including equitable access to domestic violence shelters, expansion of the Housing Access Voucher Program, increased supportive housing funding, and fair wages for human service workers.

VOA-GNY delivered testimony to the New York Housing Committee on priorities including equitable access to domestic violence shelters, expansion of the Housing Access Voucher Program, increased supportive housing funding, and fair wages for human service workers.

VOA-GNY responds to Mayor Mamdani’s decision to halt implementation of the CityFHEPS expansion laws, calling for immediate action to prevent homelessness before it starts and ease strain on the shelter system.

VOA-GNY testified before the City Council on the adequacy of the City’s Cold Blue response efforts in protecting New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, offering recommendations to improve outreach coordination, shelter quality, and expedited pathways to housing to save lives during extreme cold and beyond.

VOA-GNY celebrates New Jersey’s enactment of the Municipal Housing Trust Fund and Code Red, landmark laws that strengthen local homelessness prevention efforts and protect people experiencing homelessness during extreme heat and poor air quality.

VOA-GNY responds to Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State, applauding proposals that expand rent freeze programs for seniors and people with disabilities, strengthen food assistance, and expedite affordable housing, while urging deeper investment in people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors, and the human services workforce.

VOA-GNY testified in support of Code Red (S2346/A2258), which would guarantee access to cooling centers during dangerous heat and poor air quality to protect people experiencing homelessness and others at heightened risk, including those taking psychiatric medications.