Amd 21-324, NYC Ad Cd (as proposed in S.7215-A & A.7820-A)
Requires a process for notification of new homeless shelters and conducting a public information session in the community where the proposed shelter is to be located.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3022
SPONSOR: Fall TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to requiring a process for notification of new homeless shel-
ters and conducting a public information session in the community where
the proposed shelter is to be located
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to provide technical amendments to Chapter
383 of 2020, which relates to public hearings for homeless shelters.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Revises the process of community involvement-in the siting of
new homeless shelters to include explicit notification and posting
requirements and at least one public information session. The Department
of Homeless Services shall provide notice to the public on its website
no later than 14 days prior to such public information session at which
the public shall be allowed to ask questions and submit comments. This
legislation also clarifies that the community involvement process shall
not be conducted in a manner that delays the siting of the proposed
shelter.
Section 2. provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This chapter amendment would require the Department of Homeless Services
to provide notification prior to the siting of new homeless shelters,
and to conduct public information sessions in the communities where
these shelters may be located. These proposed changes help clarify the
intent of the original legislation, which was not to prevent homeless
shelters from opening to assist women, children or men with appropriate
housing. Instead, this legislation was intended to increase accountabil-
ity and transparency when community leaders, elected officials and resi-
dents raise public safety, transportation and educational accessibility
concerns with sites of homeless shelters. The more specific criteria of
this legislation help more clearly achieve that intent.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None noted.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as
chapter 383 of the laws of 2020 amending the administrative code of the
city of New York relating to requiring new homeless shelters to conduct
a public hearing in the community where the proposed shelter is to be
located before being sited, as proposed in legislative bills numbers
5.7215-A and A.7280-A, takes effect.
