File #: Res 0666-2023    Version: * Name: New York City Housing Authority to cap the transfer process for victims of domestic violence with an order of protection to 90 days.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Public Housing
On agenda: 6/8/2023
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York City Housing Authority to cap the transfer process for victims of domestic violence with an order of protection to 90 days.
Sponsors: Ari Kagan
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 666, 2. June 8, 2023 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 6-8-23, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - June 8, 2023

Res. No. 666

 

Resolution calling on the New York City Housing Authority to cap the transfer process for victims of domestic violence with an order of protection to 90 days.

 

By Council Member Kagan

 

Whereas, The New York State Department of Health defines domestic violence as a pattern of behavior used by an individual to establish and maintain power and control over their intimate partner, and can include abusive tactics, threats, and actions; and

Whereas, According to the Coalition for the Homeless, one of the main causes for homelessness is domestic violence; and

                     Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides affordable housing to vulnerable populations such as low income residents and individuals who have experienced domestic violence; and

Whereas, NYCHA is a public housing authority with 277 developments and 162,143 public housing units in its conventional public housing program; and

Whereas, As of February 28, 2022, there were 254,827 families on the NYCHA waiting list for a public housing unit; and

Whereas, NYCHA has adopted a priority system to rank applicants and provide shorter wait periods for housing to certain groups based on the applicant’s need, including people who have experienced domestic violence; and

Whereas, NYCHA also has an Emergency Transfer Program for tenants who are domestic violence survivors, intimidated witnesses, intimidated victim or a victim of a traumatic incident but NYCHA cannot guarantee that an emergency transfer request will be approved or how long it will take to process an emergency request; and

Whereas, At a New York City Council hearing on March 13, 2023, NYCHA reported that there were over 1,770 residents waiting for a domestic violence-related emergency transfer, making up approximately three-fourths of all of NYCHA’s emergency transfer requests; and

Whereas, There is currently no cap on the number of days a domestic violence survivor has to wait for a unit to become available; and

Whereas, Some survivors of domestic violence wait several months or, in some cases, years in order to transfer to another NYCHA apartment; and

Whereas, This delay creates a risk for the safety and well-being of people who have experienced domestic violence and subjects them to unnecessary danger; and

Whereas, Capping the transfer process to 90 days for residents who have experienced domestic violence and have an order of protection would help ensure their safety and well-being; and

Whereas, Prioritizing the relocation of applicants who have experienced domestic violence would help mitigate risks and create a safer living environment; now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York City Housing Authority to cap the transfer process for victims of domestic violence with an order of protection to 90 days.

 

JLC

5/24/2023

LS 13017