Requires the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance to submit a report detailing local social services districts efforts to prevent, identify, and address homelessness

BILL NUMBER:S4343A

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring the commissioner of temporary and disability assistance to submit a report detailing local social services districts' efforts to prevent, identify, and address homelessness and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

In order to acquire a comprehensive view of efforts to battle homeless- ness in New York State it is essential that there is an accounting of the programs and services available in each local district of social services. The reporting of these program and services in terms of their funding source will further the effort do identify gaps in service delivery, while simultaneously identifying possible funding streams to address such gaps.

Summary of specific provisions

This act amends section 17 of the social services law by adding a new subdivision (d-l)to require the Commissioner of OTDA, to submit a report to the governor and legislature one year after the effective date detailing the efforts of each local services district to identify, prevent and address their homeless population.

Justification

Homelessness in New York State is on the rise and in some areas, partic- ularly New York City, it has reached a record high with approximately 41,000 adults and children sleeping in shelter on any given night. In these difficult economic times it is crucial to approach this issue in an efficient and coordinated manner to maximize limited dollars. There are various funding streams actively being used by local districts of social services to identify, prevent, and address homelessness. These include federal, state, and local dollars, as well as private dollars used to leverage state or federal dollars. It is the duty of the legis- lature to act in the best interests of the citizens of this state, particularly vulnerable populations such as individuals an families struggling with homelessness. To that end, the report created by this act will assist the legislature in identifying: gaps in service deliv- ery, underutilized funding streams, shifts in available funding streams, adequacy of funding, and best practices innovated by or in partnership with the local district. With this comprehensive view of homelessness services state-wide at the disposal of the legislature, we can begin to tackle the homelessness crisis in an entirely more efficient manner to maximize all available dollars.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediate and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2017.