Int. No. 1087
By Council Members Ossé, Cabán, Riley, Louis, Avilés, Hudson, Richardson Jordan, Brooks-Powers, Schulman, Ung, Hanif, Restler, Rivera and Gutiérrez
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of social services to create shelters for LGBTQ single adults in every borough
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-152 to read as follows:
§ 21-152 Shelters for LGBTQ single adults. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Appropriate services. The term “appropriate services” shall include, but not be limited to, referrals to education and employment programs, counseling, and healthcare, including HIV and transgender care.
LGBTQ. The term “LGBTQ” The term “LGBTQ” means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other non-heterosexual sexual orientations or non-cisgender gender identities.
LGBTQ shelter. The term “LGBTQ shelter” means a facility operated by the department or by a provider under contract or similar agreement with the department to exclusively provide shelter for LGBTQ single adults.
Single adult. The term “single adult” means an adult without an accompanying adult or child.
b. No later than January 1, 2024, the department shall establish at least one LGBTQ shelter in every borough. The department shall ensure that appropriate services are available and provided to all clients who identify as LGBTQ and wish to access such services.
c. The department shall post information regarding the availability of such LGBTQ shelters created pursuant to subdivision b on the department’s website, social media accounts and through in person outreach.
d. No later than January 1, 2025, the department shall post on its website and provide the speaker of the council a report containing information regarding the shelters established pursuant to this local law, including, but not limited to the following:
1. The total cost of each LGBTQ shelter;
2. The number of individuals who resided in each shelter created pursuant to subdivision b of this section;
3. The number of referrals made to individuals residing in each LGBTQ shelter to appropriate services offered in such shelters;
4. The number of referrals made to individuals residing in each LGBTQ shelter to appropriate services offered outside of such shelters;
5. A listing of outreach efforts conducted to make individuals residing in each LGBTQ shelter aware of appropriate services available to them; and
6. Any other information the department deems relevant.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.
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LS #9670
4/28/2023