Policy Publications

VOA-GNY testified before the NYC Council on the impact of delayed contract payments, which strain providers and disrupt critical services. We urged full implementation of Local Law 11, increased agency staffing, and passage of Intro 0452 to ensure fair wages for human service workers.

Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) released the following statement in response to Mayor Mamdani’s decision to appeal the CityFHEPS expansion laws.

VOA-GNY testified before the NYC Council Education Committee on work to support students in temporary housing, including Operation Backpark®, which provides high-quality, age-appropriate school supplies. We urged the Council to continue funding Operation Backpack to ensure every child in NYC shelters starts the year prepared again.

VOA-GNY submitted testimony to the NYC Council on YouthBuild’s success in supporting young people facing systemic barriers to complete their education, gain workforce training, and access sustainable construction careers. We urged the Council to restore funding for YouthBuild to ensure young New Yorkers can continue to succeed.

VOA-NNJ testified before the New Jersey Assembly and Senate Budget Committees on the urgent need to address the state’s affordable housing crisis, applauding Governor Sherrill’s proposed restoration of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, while calling for expanded investments in housing programs, state agencies, and nonprofit partners to ensure all New Jerseyans can live in safe, stable, and affordable homes.

VOA-GNY testified before the NYC Council on the City’s responsibility to prevent homelessness wherever possible and provide high-quality, dignified shelter when it is not. We emphasized the need to fully implement and expand CityFHEPS and preserve safety net services that New Yorkers rely on to stay housed.

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.