Domestic Violence Service Providers Advocate for Improved Shelter Access for Survivors
ALBANY, NY (February 24, 2026) – On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY), an anti-poverty organization that supports survivors of domestic violence through its emergency shelters and safe houses, held a virtual Domestic Violence Lobby Day alongside fellow domestic violence service providers, to advocate for the passage of the SAFE Shelter Act (A.3264/S.7738) to improve shelter access for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Efforts to support and empower survivors of domestic violence at the state level have exposed a troubling inequity, and an overlooked and underserved survivor population: single adults without children. The inflexibility of New York’s funding model for domestic violence shelter providers disproportionately harms survivors who are LGBTQ+, older adults, or victims of sex trafficking, who are often single when they seek shelter.
In 2023, approximately half of all hotline callers to Safe Horizon, a New York City-based victim services agency serving the five boroughs, were single adults seeking shelter. However, only 18% of those callers were ultimately linked to a domestic violence shelter. The SAFE Shelter Act would amend the funding structure to make it easier for thousands of individuals in need to access safe, stable temporary housing and allow providers to maximize the use of their resources.
Volunteers of America-Greater New York was joined by Safe Horizon, the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Violence Intervention Program, meeting virtually with state lawmakers throughout the day to urge action this legislative session to make support services more accessible to those who need them.
“As an organization on the frontlines of providing shelter and support services to survivors of domestic violence, we strive to make room for every individual seeking safety. Too often, however, the state funding formula limits our ability to offer a safe haven to single survivors in their most critical moments” said Catherine Trapani, Assistant Vice President of Public Policy at VOA-GNY. “VOA-GNY is grateful for the partnership of the organizations and advocates who joined us today in our meetings with lawmakers, and we look forward to working alongside Governor Hochul and our legislative partners to close this critical gap in the shelter system.”
“Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking need access to life-saving shelter when their lives and safety are in danger,” said Liz Roberts, CEO at Safe Horizon. “Unfortunately, the current system makes it nearly impossible for single adult survivors without children to access shelter. The SAFE Shelter Act will change this. Safe Horizon and our coalition partners call on Governor Hochul and the Legislature to include the SAFE Shelter Act in this year’s budget. Survivors cannot wait another year for this vital relief.”
“New York’s current method of reimbursing domestic violence shelter providers on a per-person, per-night basis rewards DV programs for filling beds rather than ensuring all survivors have equal access to safety. When a single adult stays in a double occupancy room, providers lose 50% of the potential revenue for that unit. As a result, many single adults are unable to find emergency shelter, increasing the likelihood that they will return to an abusive situation,” said Joan Gerhardt, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy at the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “DV providers who regularly place adult single survivors in double occupancy rooms report losing thousands of dollars in revenue, making it harder to fully cover the costs of operating the shelter 365 days a year. The SAFE Shelter Act would resolve this disparity and ensure access to shelter for all survivors who seek it.”
“Safety is a fundamental human right, not a discretionary option. The SAFE Shelter Act affirms our commitment to protecting survivors’ lives by guaranteeing access to secure, stable housing,” said Christine Rodriguez, Director of Housing Programs at Violence Intervention Program. “By ensuring immediate safety, we create real pathways to independence while disrupting cycles of intergenerational poverty, homelessness, and abuse.”
For more information on the SAFE Shelter Act and VOA-GNY’s services for domestic violence survivors, visit here.
For additional information, or to request interviews with VOA-GNY leadership, please contact: [email protected]
About Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) is an anti-poverty organization with a rich 130-year history of serving its neighbors in need. The organization’s vision is fueled by its experience as a leading provider of services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater New York area. Through 70+ programs located in New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Westchester County—including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing—VOA-GNY delivers services to more than 35,000 adults and children annually. It is also the largest provider of residential services for veterans within a coalition that has virtually ended chronic homelessness for veterans in New York City. For more information, visit www.voa-gny.org.