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1/18] We received new data via FOIL of reasons for denials of applicants into #SupportiveHousing
Here's a reminder, during this blizzard, of the power that #SupportiveHousing landlords claim to gatekeep & deny housing to homeless people
#HousingFirst not #LandlordsFirst.
1/18] We received new data via FOIL of reasons for denials of applicants into #SupportiveHousingHere's a reminder, during this blizzard, of the power that #SupportiveHousing landlords claim to gatekeep & deny housing to homeless people
#HousingFirst not #LandlordsFirst.
2. A person who is disabled has a service dog. The #SupportiveHousing landlord/provider says their dog cannot come with them.
So the person must choose between their service animal (a right) and housing!
So the person must choose between their service animal (a right) and housing!
3. Denied housing: "lack of insight" is a common reason that #SupportiveHousing providers use to gatekeep housing, and thus keep people homeless.
4. Mandates by a provider/landlord to change where and from who an applicant is already receiving services from.
Or, in other words, change all your services or no housing (so, no housing in this case).
Or, in other words, change all your services or no housing (so, no housing in this case).
5. "Not forthcoming."
#SupportiveHousing providers market themselves and claim to serve those most vulnerable.
But often if someone doesn't verbalize the most personal details of their lives on a first interview - denied.
#SupportiveHousing providers market themselves and claim to serve those most vulnerable.
But often if someone doesn't verbalize the most personal details of their lives on a first interview - denied.
6. Depressed and not receiving care, so denied housing (kept homeless).
#SupportiveHousing landlords claim to serve folks with mental health struggles, but very often they only accept those they deem easiest to work with. (In social service language this is called "creaming").
#SupportiveHousing landlords claim to serve folks with mental health struggles, but very often they only accept those they deem easiest to work with. (In social service language this is called "creaming").
7. #SupportiveHousing landlords often demand that someone not use substances (though almost everyone uses a substance of some sort & even though they're funded to house ppl engaged in substance use)
Here's 2 of many examples where someone is kept homeless related to substances.
Here's 2 of many examples where someone is kept homeless related to substances.
8. #SupportiveHousing landlords will often gatekeep/deny homeless folks housing due to symptoms of mental illness that are the very basis for qualifying for #SupportiveHousing (and what the providers/landlords are funded for)
9. #SupportiveHousing landlords get unbelievable leeway by @NYCDHS to deny supportive housing (and thus keep people homeless).
So little care is often given that reasons for denial will just be copied/pasted for different people. Here's an example of 2 separate app. denials.
So little care is often given that reasons for denial will just be copied/pasted for different people. Here's an example of 2 separate app. denials.
10. #SupportiveHousing providers/landlords wield vast power in deciding whether someone stays homeless.
Often homeless folks are told they must have all sorts of documentation to be allowed in. @NYCDHS is supposed to help, but often they don't
So - denied housing/kept homeless.
Often homeless folks are told they must have all sorts of documentation to be allowed in. @NYCDHS is supposed to help, but often they don't
So - denied housing/kept homeless.
11. #SupportiveHousing providers/landlords receive in-depth packets about applicants, typically incl. a psychiatric evaluation, psychosocial assessment etc.
But landlords/providers often make surface-level judgements & deny housing upon meeting the applicant for the 1st time.
But landlords/providers often make surface-level judgements & deny housing upon meeting the applicant for the 1st time.
12. In NYC @NYCHRA makes determinations on the services supportive housing applicants should receive. They do this based on copious amounts of the applicant's most personal info.
#SupportiveHousing providers meet someone & expect them to pour their life out.
Or, no housing.
#SupportiveHousing providers meet someone & expect them to pour their life out.
Or, no housing.
13. "Resistance" to "support" services.
Instead of abiding by social service common sense - "resistance" to services is a sign of weakness in the "services" - #SupportiveHousing landlords just deny housing over this, and thus keep someone homeless.
Instead of abiding by social service common sense - "resistance" to services is a sign of weakness in the "services" - #SupportiveHousing landlords just deny housing over this, and thus keep someone homeless.
14. Use of substances (again)
Often #SupportiveHousing landlords/providers decide that someone needs to change their substance use behavior. Instead of providing #HousingFirst they will often deny the person housing - and keep them homeless - rather than support the applicant.
Often #SupportiveHousing landlords/providers decide that someone needs to change their substance use behavior. Instead of providing #HousingFirst they will often deny the person housing - and keep them homeless - rather than support the applicant.
15. History of suicidal ideations:
Sometimes #SupportiveHousing landlords - funded and marketed to provide housing with services to folks struggling with mental health difficulties - will opt to keep someone homeless (deny them housing) if they've been suicidal.
Sometimes #SupportiveHousing landlords - funded and marketed to provide housing with services to folks struggling with mental health difficulties - will opt to keep someone homeless (deny them housing) if they've been suicidal.
16. "Chose another" applicant
We need more #SupportiveHousing. We ALSO need landlord/provider accountability to accept people struggling.
The City refuses to seriously press landlords/providers to take those who struggling the most.
This keeps people homeless.
We need more #SupportiveHousing. We ALSO need landlord/provider accountability to accept people struggling.
The City refuses to seriously press landlords/providers to take those who struggling the most.
This keeps people homeless.
17. We could add many more of these kind of denials.
NYC is at historic levels of homelessness (in the @NYCDHS system + other systems).
We need to ensure that #SupportiveHousing landlords/providers don't get to reject applicants with impunity.
We need #HousingFirst
NYC is at historic levels of homelessness (in the @NYCDHS system + other systems).
We need to ensure that #SupportiveHousing landlords/providers don't get to reject applicants with impunity.
We need #HousingFirst
18/End]
One way forward is to move on Intro-147, which would require the City to report data on the reasons & demographics of rejections into #SupportiveHousing.
The bill has languished in committee since 2018.
https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=598972&GUID=3FBB1608-3529-4D0B-81B6-E8918F02C1E8&Options=info|&Search=
One way forward is to move on Intro-147, which would require the City to report data on the reasons & demographics of rejections into #SupportiveHousing.
The bill has languished in committee since 2018.
https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=598972&GUID=3FBB1608-3529-4D0B-81B6-E8918F02C1E8&Options=info|&Search=
