{"id":1791,"date":"2019-08-14T21:35:49","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T21:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=1791"},"modified":"2019-08-14T21:35:49","modified_gmt":"2019-08-14T21:35:49","slug":"council-to-vote-on-package-of-bills-to-reform-citys-public-benefits-offices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2019\/08\/14\/1791\/","title":{"rendered":"Council to Vote on Package of Bills to Reform City\u2019s Public Benefits Offices"},"content":{"rendered":"

City Hall \u2013 <\/strong>The New York
\nCity Council on Wednesday will vote on a package of bills that aim to improve
\nthe experiences of people seeking support from offices where public benefits
\nare administered. This package was introduced after an incredibly disturbing
\nvideo of one woman\u2019s experience at a Human Resources Administration (HRA)
\nbuilding in Boerum Hill came to light last December.<\/p>\n

The bills represent comprehensive
\nreform, with one that would require HRA to perform an audit of its operations,
\npolicies and procedures at job and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
\n(SNAP) centers. Another bill would require HRA to develop and implement a plan
\nfor improving client experience based on that review, with input from
\nadvocates. <\/p>\n

Another bill would codify the
\nOffice of Constituent Services within HRA, which would be responsible for the
\ntimely review and response to questions, comments and complaints, and would
\ndevelop strategies for communication with benefit recipients. <\/p>\n

Other bills would require regular
\nreporting by HRA on client complaints, enforcement activity within job and SNAP
\ncenters, the termination and reopening of public assistance, as well as on
\ninstances in which public assistance was denied. The proposed legislation would
\nalso require the implementation of changes targeted at improving client
\nexperiences, such as by providing designated space for children in waiting
\nareas, allowing clients to reschedule appointments by phone, requiring social
\nwork services be available at job centers, and requiring that employees working
\nin job and SNAP centers be trained on de-escalating conflict and
\ntrauma-informed care. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on a
\nresolution calling on the State to develop a policy instituting a grace period
\nbefore terminating public assistance or SNAP benefits due to a change in income
\nor employment, which would provide recipients with time to contest or prepare
\nfor the termination. <\/p>\n

In addition to this set of bills
\nfocused on Department of Social Services\/HRA job and SNAP centers, the Council
\nwill also vote on legislation that would require the police department to
\nimplement child-sensitive arrest policies that can help minimize trauma and
\nlong-term consequences for kids who many witness an arrest. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on a
\nbill that would significantly strengthen the ability of the Department of
\nHousing Preservation (HPD) to recover relocation expenses in cases where a
\nbuilding owner has failed to maintain a property and tenants are displaced. <\/p>\n

Additionally, the Council will
\nvote on a resolution calling upon Congress to pass, and the President to sign,
\nthe Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Council will vote on
\nseveral finance and land use items. <\/p>\n

In Relation to Auditing
\nDepartment of Social Services\/Human Resources Administration Job Centers and
\nSNAP Centers  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1382-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Helen Rosenthal, <\/em>would require HRA to perform an audit of
\nits operations, policies and procedures at job centers and SNAP centers, with
\nthe goal of increasing operational efficiency at such centers. HRA would be
\nrequired to perform the audit in consultation with at least five organizations
\nthat work with job and SNAP center visitors. The report would include
\nrecommendations made by such organizations and whether HRA will implement such
\nrecommendations.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years we have received
\nmany accounts of the poor treatment of New Yorkers who visit City-run public
\nassistance and SNAP centers in need of assistance. This remains absolutely
\nunacceptable, and what happened to Jazmine Headley is a stark reminder of the
\nindignities and injustices that low-income residents are forced to endure. A
\nfull review is needed of client treatment at DSS\/HRA centers, and how this
\nimpacts the assistance received. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in pushing
\nforward this package of legislation, including my bill which requires the City
\nto audit client wait times, staff-to-visitor ratios, and other key metrics. At
\nthe end of the day, Ms. Headley was punished for her need to seek assistance
\nand for her crime of poverty. As a society, that is our failure, not hers,\u201d
\nsaid Council Member Helen Rosenthal<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

In Relation to Implementation
\nof a Plan Based on Findings of the Audit of Department of Social Services\/Human
\nResources Administration Job Centers and SNAP Centers  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1350-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Vanessa Gibson, <\/em>would require HRA to implement the plan
\nto improve the client experience, as developed pursuant to the audit required
\nin Int. No. 1382-A. HRA would be required to implement such plan by January 1,
\n2021. HRA would be required to submit to the Council and post on its website an
\ninitial progress report detailing their efforts to improve the client
\nexperience. This report would be due March 1, 2021. HRA would be required to
\nissue three subsequent progress reports over the next six years. These reports
\nwould be due on March 1, 2023, March 1, 2025, and March 1, 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am proud to sponsor Intro.
\n1350-A, which will require HRA to develop and implement a plan based on DSS\/HRA
\naudit findings on job centers and SNAP centers. This report will reflect center
\nwait times, staff-to-visitor ratios, access to technology, and much more. This
\nbill aims to address various concerns around center wait times, understaffing,
\nand overall clientele satisfaction in receiving vital HRA services. I thank
\nSpeaker Johnson, my Colleagues and the staff for their hard work, and look
\nforward to the implementation of these necessary changes at our HRA Centers,\u201d
\nsaid Council Member Vanessa Gibson<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

In Relation to an Office of
\nConstituent Services<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1332-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Speaker Corey Johnson, <\/em>would establish a system for DSS to receive comments,
\nquestions and complaints, conduct a review of all inquiries from clients about
\ncases where any public benefits administered by HRA have been or will be
\nterminated, establish and maintain policies regarding communication with
\nclients in a timely manner, and develop strategies and recommendations
\nregarding such client communication. HRA would be required to post the phone
\nnumber for the Office of Constituent Services on its website.<\/p>\n

“People receiving public
\nbenefits or looking to the government for support should be able to navigate
\nthe system in a way that doesn\u2019t place an undue burden on them. It\u2019s up to us
\nas a City to put systems in place that make it possible for people to get the
\nhelp they need. All New Yorkers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity,
\nand the Office of Constituent Services will help to ensure that basic right is
\nfulfilled for people turning to the Human Resources Administration as well,\u201d
\nsaid Speaker Corey Johnson<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Requiring the Department of
\nSocial Services\/Human Resources Administration to Report on Termination of
\nPublic Assistance  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1389-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Public Advocate Mr. Jumaane Williams, <\/em>would require HRA to submit to the
\nCouncil and post on its website quarterly reports on instances in which public
\nassistance was terminated and instances in which public assistance was denied.
\nThese reports would provide valuable insight into the various hurdles public
\nassistance recipients face when applying for or maintaining such assistance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIntro 1389-A would provide much
\nneeded transparency for both affected constituents and their elected leaders by
\nensuring that public assistance is not summarily terminated without
\nexplanation. Jazmine Headley’s experience clearly demonstrated the need for
\nreform. We cannot allow people to slip through the flaws in our system and lose
\nvital benefits without just cause and explanation. I thank Chair Levin, Speaker
\nJohnson, and all of the Council Members with legislation as part of the Justice
\nFor Jazmine reform package for recognizing the importance of these issues,\u201d
\nsaid Mr. Jumaane Williams<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Requiring the Department of
\nSocial Services\/Human Resources Administration to Report on Termination of
\nPublic Assistance and Reopening<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1359-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Stephen Levin, <\/em>would require HRA to submit to the Council
\nand post on its website quarterly reports on instances in which public
\nassistance was terminated and subsequently reopened within three months. The
\npurpose of such reports would be to identify how often technical glitches
\nwithin the state welfare management system cause benefits to be wrongfully
\nterminated. Such reports would also include the number of instances in which a
\ncase had experienced a lapse in public assistance due to such technical
\nglitches.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe abuse Jazmine Headley
\nexperienced was abhorrent. Jazmine should never have had her child taken from
\nher. She never should have been at Rikers. And she should never have had to
\nwait hours for her benefits to be reinstated after being wrongly terminated. In
\nresponse to what Ms. Headley faced, the Council advanced a comprehensive
\npackage, including Int. 1359, a bill I am sponsoring to require DSS to issue a
\npublic report on instances in which public assistance for a recipient was
\nterminated and the recipient reapplied for such public assistance. Transparency
\nis key in identifying issues and enacting systems-wide change at DSS. What
\noccurred to Jazmine did not take place in a vacuum \u2013 and today we are taking
\nconcrete steps to improve our City\u2019s social services system. This change is
\nlong overdue and I thank the Speaker, Corey Johnson, my Council colleagues, and
\nthe advocates who fight for New Yorkers like Jazmine Headley every day,\u201d said Council
\nMember Stephen Levin<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

In Relation to Reporting on
\nArrests, Summonses, Removals, Escorts and Use of Force Incidents Occurring in
\nDepartment of Social Services\/Human Resources Administration Job Centers and
\nSNAP Centers <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1333-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Adrienne Adams, <\/em>would require HRA to submit quarterly
\nreports on enforcement activity within job centers and SNAP centers. Such
\nreports would include arrests, summonses, removals, escorts and use of force
\nincidents. The reports would be submitted to the Council and posted on HRA\u2019s
\nwebsite.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the unfortunate escalation
\nat an HRA center in the case of Jazmine Headley and so many others, I am proud
\nto join my colleagues in this package of legislation to ensure that incidents
\nlike these do not happen again. Vulnerable New Yorkers go to HRA offices for help
\nand should not have to second guess how they will be treated. I am proud to
\nhave passed Introduction 1333 which will increase transparency for this
\nagency,\u201d said Council Member Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Requiring the Department of
\nSocial Services\/Human Resources Administration to Report Annually on Complaints
\nby Clients <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1403-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Chaim Deutsch, <\/em>would require HRA to report annually on
\nthe number of comments, questions and complaints by clients, including where
\ninquiries have been resolved, as well as the most frequent categories of
\ninquiries. Each year, HRA would provide this information to the Speaker of the
\nCouncil and post it online on its website.<\/p>\n

\u201cIntro 1403, part of the
\n#JusticeForJazmine package of bills, will require public reporting of the
\nnumber and nature of complaints, comments, and questions by HRA and DSS
\ncustomers. This information will aid us, as legislators, in identifying the
\nmost common issues faced by those seeking assistance from these City agencies.
\nWhat happened to Jazmine Headley must never happen to another New Yorker, and
\nthis bill, as well as the others included in this package, will make great
\nstrides toward avoiding another preventable trauma,\u201d said Council Member
\nChaim Deutsch<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Requiring Social Workers at
\nDepartment of Social Services\/Human Resources Administration Job Centers <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1335-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, <\/em>would establish a pilot program for
\nthe design, development implementation and provision of full-time social worker
\nservices at one job center per borough and would require DSS to report the
\nfindings of the pilot program by January 2020. The bill would require the
\nprovision of full-time social work services at every job center by January
\n2021. <\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to thank my
\ncolleagues and the Speaker for responding to the needs and issues that led to
\nthe horrifying treatment of Jazmine Headley and her child. Providing social
\nwork services, trauma-informed de-escalation training, and much needed safe
\nspaces for children at job centers, social services, and SNAP centers are
\nwellness solutions that should have been provided to New Yorkers who come to
\nthe City for aid long ago. This package of reform bills acknowledges the human
\nelement involved in the services provided at these sites. Additionally, by
\nhaving improved training and transparency on the conduct and policies of our
\npublic service agencies, we can deliver solutions driven by numbers and more
\nimportantly, empathy to New Yorkers in need.\u201d said Council Member Alicka
\nAmpry-Samuel<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n

In Relation to De-Escalation
\nand Trauma-Informed Training<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1336-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, <\/em>would build upon Local Law 15 of
\n2018 by requiring HRA to conduct trainings on de-escalating conflict and
\ntrauma-informed care for all employees that work in job centers or SNAP
\nCenters, including contracted security staff.<\/p>\n

Requiring Space for Children at
\nDepartment of Social Services\/Human Resources Administration Job Centers and
\nSNAP Centers <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1337-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, <\/em>would require HRA to provide a
\ndesignated space for children in every job and SNAP Center. The space would
\ninclude comfortable seating and age-appropriate and educational materials. The
\nbill would require HRA to create a poster containing information on the
\navailability of such space and report to the Council on the list of locations
\nwhere such spaces are available.<\/p>\n

Requiring the Department of
\nSocial Services\/Human Resources Administration to Maintain Systems in which
\nClients May Reschedule Appointments over the Phone  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1347-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Laurie Cumbo, <\/em>would require HRA to maintain systems that
\nallow clients to reschedule in-person appointments over the phone. The written
\nappointment notice that clients receive in the mail would notify clients of
\ntheir ability to reschedule their appointment over the phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s legislative package is
\nlong overdue, and brings us one-step closer to slowly closing our city\u2019s
\ninstitutional racist system. I will continue to reject the criminalization of
\npoverty and I will always use my voice to create change. I believe that all
\npeople seeking services should be entitled to professional, compassionate and
\nefficient care; no one ever should be treated in a manner that is verbally,
\nphysically abusive or cruel. Equally, our municipal workforce must receive the
\nsame level of respect, and be paid fairly for their experiences and education
\nin their field of service. I am proud to pass Introduction 1347, which creates
\nan innovative approach to allow clients access to alter appointments over the
\nphone. In addition, I will pass a resolution calling on the State Legislature
\nto provide a grace period before terminating public assistance or Supplemental
\nNutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to a change in income and or
\nemployment,\u201d said Council Member Laurie Cumbo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Resolution calling on the
\nState Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would
\nprovide a grace period before terminating public assistance or SNAP benefits
\ndue to a change in income and\/or employment to allow time to contest the
\ntermination of benefits or prepare for the termination.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Resolution 721, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Laurie Cumbo.<\/em><\/p>\n

Requiring the Police
\nDepartment to Implement Child Sensitive Arrest Policies <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1349, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Daniel Dromm, <\/em>would require the police department to
\ndevelop guidance and train its officers on an updated policy for making arrests
\nin the presence of child bystanders. The guidelines would specify that, among
\nother steps, an officer should promptly ascertain whether a child is present,
\nreasonably avoid the use of force and handcuffs in front of the child, allow
\ncaregivers an opportunity to arrange for alternate care, offer assistance of a
\npartner organization that can help minimize the trauma of having an
\nincarcerated parent, and notify the administration for children\u2019s services in
\nappropriate circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy legislation will reduce the
\ntrauma of arrests on both parents and their children by requiring the creation
\nof guidance the NYPD must follow. Such guidance will minimize the more
\ntraumatizing aspects of parental arrests and provide such parents the
\nopportunity to ensure that their children are in safe hands. Notably, the NYPD
\nwill be required to work with partner organizations to offer assistance to
\narrested parents. Last year\u2019s unfortunate incident involving Jazmine Headley
\ndemonstrated that this effort is sorely needed. Together with my Council
\ncolleagues and the advocates, including Tanya Krupat of the Osborne
\nAssociation, I look forward to continuing to examine ways in which we can
\nmitigate the harmful collateral impacts of the criminal justice system,\u201d said Council
\nMember Daniel Dromm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Resolution calling upon Congress to pass, and the
\nPresident to sign, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Resolution 978, <\/strong>sponsored by Council Member Farah
\nLouis, <\/em>would call upon Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the
\nViolence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, or \u201cVAWA.\u201d This legislation,
\nwhich has been reauthorized three times since its original enactment in 1994,
\nlapsed earlier this year after it was not extended by Congress and despite the
\nU.S. House passing the bill with strong bipartisan support. As the U.S. Senate
\nhas yet to consider the bill, the Council of
\nthe City of New York calls upon Congress to take action and pass, and the
\nPresident to sign, the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a survivor of domestic abuse,
\nI can tell you that resources tailored to survivors \u2014 such as NYC\u2019s Family
\nJustice Centers \u2014 are more than just public services \u2014 they are a lifeline in a
\nsituation that often feels utterly hopeless. Every year, the needs around
\ndomestic and gender-based violence become more and more apparent as we continue
\nto give space to survivors to speak and heal. In New York City, those needs are
\nurgent. It is an honor to advocate for survivors of domestic and gender-based
\nviolence, especially if it means we can equip them, as well as the general
\npublic, with tools to ensure that we see a reduction of domestic abuse, sexual
\nharassment, and all gender-based violence in our lifetime,\u201d said Council
\nMember Farah Louis<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n

In Relation to the Recovery of
\nRelocation Expenses Incurred by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development
\nPursuant to a Vacate Order <\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 30-A, <\/strong>sponsored
\nby Council Member Margaret Chin, <\/em>would significantly strengthen the ability
\nof HPD to recover relocation expenses incurred while housing displaced tenants
\nfollowing the issuance of certain vacate orders. It would do this by assessing
\nsuch expenses against a building as a high-priority tax lien, through which HPD
\ncould more effectively pursue repayment of such expenses. The recovery of these
\nexpenses is currently attempted through a low-priority mechanics lien. <\/p>\n

\u201cNo landlord should be able to
\nget away with forcing their tenants to pay the cost of their negligence. But
\nfar too often, we have seen predatory landlords create unlivable conditions
\nthat lead to emergency evacuations that not only uproot tenants\u2019 lives \u2013 but
\nalso force them into a revolving door to the shelter system. My bill, Intro 30,
\ntells these landlords that the buck finally stops here. By requiring HPD to
\ncreate a first-of-its-kind system to recover relocation expenses, we are
\nputting the City\u2019s worst landlords on the hook for the enormous hardship and
\ntrauma that tenants have to endure during a vacate order. This bill creates a
\nstrong incentive for landlords to make necessary repairs faster so that tenants
\ncan come back home sooner, and sends a message that vacate orders should never
\nbe weaponized as a tool for displacement,\u201d said Council Member Margaret Chin<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on the
\nfollowing Article XI property tax exemptions approved by the Committee on
\nFinance:<\/p>\n

340 South 3rd<\/sup>
\nStreet<\/strong>, in Council Member Antonio Reynoso\u2019s district in Brooklyn, will
\nreceive a full, 40-year property tax exemption to preserve 41 units of
\naffordable housing. <\/p>\n

Harlem House<\/strong>, in Council
\nMember Perkins\u2019 district in Manhattan, will receive a partial, 40-year property
\ntax exemption to preserve 212 units of affordable housing. <\/p>\n

Olinville Manor<\/strong>, in
\nCouncil Member Ritchie Torres\u2019s district in the Bronx, will receive a full,
\n32-year property tax exemption to preserve 46 units of affordable housing. <\/p>\n

Finally, the Council will also
\nvote on the following land use items:<\/p>\n

306-seat Universal Pre-K Center<\/strong>
\nin Council Member Francisco Moya\u2019s district in Queens.<\/p>\n

East New York North NCP <\/strong>in
\nCouncil Member Raphael Espinal\u2019s district in Brooklyn, will facilitate the
\ndevelopment of 41 units of affordable housing.<\/p>\n

201-207
\n7th Avenue <\/strong>in Speaker Corey Johnson\u2019s
\ndistrict in Manhattan, will facilitate the development of a new nine-story,
\nmixed-use residential building with 26 affordable homeownership units and
\nground floor retail space<\/p>\n

515
\nWest 18th Street Garage Special Permit <\/strong>in
\nSpeaker Corey Johnson\u2019s district in Manhattan, will facilitate the development
\nof a garage in the cellar of an as-of-right mixed-use development. The Council
\nis modifying this application to reduce the number of spaces even further, to a
\ntotal of 100 spaces. <\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

City Hall \u2013 <\/strong>The New York
\nCity Council on Wednesday will vote on a package of bills that aim to improve
\nthe experiences of people seeking support from offices where public benefits
\nare administered. This package was introduced after an incredibly disturbing
\nvideo of one woman\u2019s experience at a Human Resources Administration (HRA)
\nbuilding in Boerum Hill came to light last December.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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