New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth Oversight Hearing on Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter System – September 16, 2026

The New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth, chaired by Council Member Althea V. Stevens, held an oversight hearing on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to evaluate the city's Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) shelter system. Key topics included contract and procurement delays, capacity challenges, per‑bed reimbursement rates, street outreach staffing, federal funding reductions, and housing voucher access. The hearing featured testimony from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and a panel of public witnesses including providers and youth with lived experience.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sebastian Vonte (Safe Horizon): Stated that the per‑bed reimbursement rate has not increased for years while costs for rent, food, security, and health insurance have risen. Urged the city to raise the rate to $80,000 per bed and to release a new RFP for RHY services. Also asked for youth and provider input in housing voucher design.
• Reagan Robinson (Covenant House New York): Called for reinstating $3 million in city funding for guaranteed income programs (Cash with Care), noting that 60% of participating youth secured an apartment or reunited with family in the first nine months. Also supported the $80,000 bed rate and inclusion of RHY youth in housing voucher rollout.
• Dylan (Covenant House youth): Shared personal story of seeking shelter and asked for increased bed rates, youth voice in voucher design, and restored guaranteed income funding.
• Samiha Kano Oishi (Covenant House youth): Described barriers to shelter due to lack of documentation; expressed gratitude for Covenant House support that helped her gain employment, immigration status, and housing. Advocated for raising the bed rate to $80,000.
• Nigel Williams (Covenant House youth): Shared experience of being kicked out of home; graduated high school in top 8% with Covenant House support. Asked for bed rate increase and youth inclusion in voucher programs.
• Maria Jesus (Housing Solutions of New York): Emphasized that success should be measured by permanent housing outcomes, not just bed utilization. Called for better coordination across systems and early housing planning.
• Dr. Henry Love (Point Source Youth): Advocated for prevention and rapid rehousing programs, noting that $3,700 can place a youth in stable housing within 48 hours with a 92% retention rate. Supported bed rate increase.
• Nadia Swanson (Ali Forney Center): Reported a waitlist of over 400 youth, with 40 young people staying in their drop‑in center nightly because they prefer it over DHS shelters. Called for faster inspections to open new beds and for LGBTQ+ immigrant legal services funding.
• Cornelius Wiggins (Mikä's Light): Shared lived experience as a homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Recommended a comprehensive citywide needs assessment with youth involvement, better LGBTQ+ training, and expanded housing voucher eligibility.
• Mary Astrid Nussbaumer (Anthos Home): Advocated for housing voucher access for all RHY youth, funding for housing navigation, and stability services for one year post‑placement (98% remained housed after one year).

Discussion Items

• Contract and RFP Status: DYCD has not issued a new RFP for RHY services since 2018, relying on contract amendments and extensions through June 2027. Commissioner Escamilla Davies acknowledged the need for a new RFP and stated DYCD is conducting a needs and cost analysis, with a timeline of about one year. The chair expressed urgency and called for continuous evaluation rather than periodic crises.
• Per‑Bed Reimbursement Rates: Current rates range from $47,000 to $55,000 per bed. Providers and youth advocates testified that this is insufficient, with Safe Horizon and Covenant House calling for $80,000. DYCD agreed that rates need to be reconsidered and are conducting a cost analysis.
• Capacity and Turn‑aways: Between January and June 2026, 319 young people seeking shelter were turned away. DYCD officials noted a recent decline (316 in the latest quarter vs. 599 the previous quarter) but Chair Stevens stressed that “still 290 something kids” is a problem. Officials stated that 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds are not turned away without being worked with, but acknowledged gaps in the shelter access report.
• Minors and ACS Reporting: Providers expressed confusion about when to call the State Central Register (SCR) for minors (under 16) seeking RHY services. DYCD said they are working with ACS to train providers on mandated reporting and to reduce unnecessary reports.
• Streamlined DHS Referral Process: DYCD described a streamlined process allowing youth in RHY programs to skip DHS intake and go directly to a DHS shelter bed within up to 20 days. Providers testified that in practice it often takes 30 days and that youth may be left without overnight shelter during the wait. Chair Stevens called the policy “sounds good on paper” but not working in reality.
• Street Outreach Teams: DYCD funds only two street outreach teams (total about eight staff) for all five boroughs. Chair Stevens called this “ridiculous” and said each borough should have its own team. DYCD did not commit to expanding but agreed more funding is needed.
• Federal Funding Cuts: Witness Laura Pennington (Pinnacle Community Services, upstate NY) reported that five upstate shelters lost primary federal Basic Center funding and warned that upstate closures could increase demand in NYC. DYCD said they communicate with upstate providers and have not yet seen an influx.
• Housing Vouchers (CityFHEPS/City HAP): The new City Housing Assistance Program (City HAP) will be administered by HPD, but DYCD admitted they have not yet met with HPD. Providers urged that RHY youth must be included in program design and outreach. Chair Stevens insisted DYCD be at the table.
• Guaranteed Income Pilot: Covenant House’s Cash with Care program showed promising outcomes (60% secured housing) but operated for only one year. Providers asked the Council to restore $3 million citywide for continued funding.
• Drop‑in Center Sleeping Ban: Nadia Swanson noted she is working on state and local legislation to change building codes to allow drop‑in centers to provide overnight cots (currently not permitted).

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the hearing was an oversight session for information gathering and discussion.
• Chair Stevens committed to following up on several issues: (1) DYCD to share its minor placement policy; (2) DYCD to provide a timeline for the new RFP; (3) DYCD to meet with HPD to ensure RHY access to City HAP vouchers; (4) Council staff to work on legislation to address drop‑in center sleeping restrictions; (5) Council to explore funding for guaranteed income programs and increased street outreach teams.
• DYCD agreed to: (a) conduct a comprehensive needs and cost analysis over the next year; (b) follow up on any minors turned away per the shelter access report; (c) continue training with ACS on mandated reporting for minors; (d) activate an Interagency Coordinated Council to align goals for youth.
• Providers and advocates requested the Council include $80,000 per bed in the upcoming budget, release a new RFP before the June 2027 extension expires, and ensure youth and provider input in all housing voucher policy design.
• The hearing record remained open for 72 hours for written testimony.