Preliminary REP pages 49-56
Plan area: Children, Youth, Older Adults & Families
DSS encompasses the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). DSS is committed to providing support to New Yorkers experiencing poverty, homelessness, and other vulnerabilities. DSS recognizes that these challenges disproportionately affect communities of color due to generations of disinvestment. Key FY24 spotlight wins include: successfully connected over 18,500 households in shelters to permanent housing (24% increase vs FY23); over 13,000 households used CityFHEPS vouchers (42% increase vs FY23, a record); HRA reduced the SNAP and CA processing backlog by 97%; Fair Fares enrollment expanded to 150% FPL with over 350,000 New Yorkers using half-priced fares; Business Link program helped nearly 10,000 low-income New Yorkers find jobs in FY24 (44% YoY increase). DSS has a 30% M/WBE utilization goal.
DHS successfully connected over 18,500 households in shelters to permanent housing, marking a 24% increase compared to FY23.Over 13,000 households, including those in the community, were able to use a CityFHEPS voucher to obtain housing in FY24, a record and a 42% increase over FY23 figures.Through initiatives like the Subway Safety Plan, DHS connected over 8,000 individuals to shelter, with more than 700 now residing in subsidized, permanent housing.In 2024, HRA reduced the SNAP and CA processing backlog by 97% while concurrently strengthening access to these benefits. Nearly 2 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP and CA.In partnership with the City Council, HRA expanded Fair Fares transit discount program eligibility from 120% to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), with over 350,000 New Yorkers using half-priced fares.HRA's Business Link program helped nearly 10,000 low-income New Yorkers find jobs in FY24, with about 8,200 of those receiving CA connected to quality employment, representing a 44% increase year-over-year.DSS launched Affordable Housing Services (AHS) initiative: partnering with nonprofits to purchase or lease affordable housing for New Yorkers in shelters holding CityFHEPS vouchers.DSS partnered with New Destiny on Project Home, providing housing search assistance and aftercare services to 100 domestic violence survivors with children residing in DHS shelters.
Expand access to agency benefits and services to combat economic instability, which is disproportionately experienced by racial/ethnic minorities and underserved populations
Population focus: Underserved communities
Geographic focus: Underserved neighborhoods (unspecified)
Goal ID: DSS-G01
Address racial inequities in access to stable housing through improving connections for clients in shelter to permanent housing and strengthening access to community-based homelessness prevention programs
Population focus: General
Goal ID: DSS-G02
Address secondary traumatic stress symptoms for frontline staff working directly with clients who have experienced trauma or crisis, to build a culture of care for a diverse workforce
Population focus: Agency staff / employees
Goal ID: DSS-G03
Invest in anti-hunger initiatives in critical, underserved neighborhoods to reduce or ultimately eliminate food insecurity, which is higher in communities of color
Population focus: Underserved communities
Geographic focus: Underserved neighborhoods (unspecified)
Goal ID: DSS-G04
Offer tailored support to individuals and families transitioning from shelter to permanent placement to ensure their successful social integration
Population focus: Children & families
Goal ID: DSS-G05
Ensure that DSS workforce development programs connect clients to career pathways that help reduce income inequality for underserved populations
Population focus: Underserved communities
Geographic focus: Underserved neighborhoods (unspecified)
Goal ID: DSS-G06
Leverage agency recruitment efforts in communities we serve to create additional career pathways that support our clients
Population focus: General
Goal ID: DSS-G07
Develop systems so that people in the DHS system with mobility and/or sensory disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are identified for potential affordable housing placements
Population focus: People with disabilities
Goal ID: DSS-G08
DSS has had a 30% goal for M/WBE utilization and will continue to implement and evaluate goals going forward to ensure they are consistent with federal, state, and local law.
Population focus: M/WBE owners
Goal ID: DSS-G09
In collaboration with the State, work to update antiquated public assistance benefit policies and benefit levels to help reduce household poverty, eliminate racial disparities in economic security, and bring clients closer to the NYC True Cost of Living
Population focus: Low-income New Yorkers
Goal ID: DSS-G10
Invest in the creation of predictive tools to anticipate housing instability to systematically prevent homelessness and racial disparities within it
Population focus: General
Goal ID: DSS-G11
