Speaker Adams and Council Members Support ‘Project Home’ and Call for More Complete Funding of Housing Microgrants to Support Survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

 

Council Preliminary Budget Response urged increased baseline funding for program to $6 million, $19.5 million more for 15/15 Supportive Housing Program

As the City announced the launch of the ‘Project Home’ pilot program, the New York City Council expressed support and renewed its call for the Administration to fulfill the $6 million budget commitment to expand the Mayor’s Office to End Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV)’s previous pilot of housing microgrants for domestic violence victims. The housing stability support program provides low-barrier microgrants to survivors of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, with the aim of helping them maintain safe and stable housing. The mayor’s proposed budget only includes $1.2 million in baselined funding in HRA’s budget for the program, and this funding is only able to address a fraction of the need. The program supports efforts consistent with legislation passed by the Council and the Mayor’s Housing Blueprint, expanding a pilot by the Mayor’s Office to End Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV). This funding amount is based on the rate of expenditures during the ENDGBV pilot, and the Council has called on the Administration to increase baseline funding for the program with an additional $4.8 million, up to $6 million starting in Fiscal 2025.

The decision to expand eligibility for supportive housing to victims of domestic violence was also welcomed by the Council, which reiterated its call for the Administration to add $19.6 million towards advancing the 15/15 Supportive Housing Program towards its 15,000 supportive housing unit target. 

The Council’s initial calls for $6 million to better meet the needs of domestic and gender-based violence victims through housing microgrants and $19.6 million for the 15/15 Supportive Housing Program were included in the Council’s Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget Response. 

“Removing barriers to housing for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence is critical to their safety and stability,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “While Project Home can be an important step forward, this $300,000 pilot program must be paired with the full $6 million commitment in the city budget to provide housing microgrants that meet the needs of domestic and gender-based violence victims. We also applaud the expansion of supportive housing eligibility to domestic violence victims and renew our calls for the Administration to allocate an additional $19.6 million to advance the 15/15 Supportive Housing Program towards its target of 15,000 supportive housing units. The Council’s Preliminary Budget Response urged these vital investments to fulfill the commitments of local law passed by the Council, the Mayor’s Housing Blueprint, and the needs of survivors. It remains imperative that we use all tools at our disposal to ensure survivors of domestic and gender-based violence have access to the supports they need to live safely and thrive.”