(MSCC) John Mudd, Posted: May 27, 2021, Event Date: June 1, 2021

SUMMARY

The forthcoming meeting agenda is with emphasis on Adaptive Reuse: Hotels to Housing, and housing initiatives.      

Chair person(s): John Mudd, MSCC

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS

• Housekeeping (Zoom protocols) Signing in, copying chat, muting, etc.
  • Ashley to record the actions and monitor the chat box
• Introductions, welcoming new members, updates from Councilman’s Corey Johnson’s office
• Please email subject and speaker suggestions by the 15th of each month
• Items to Triage: In order to give time to pressing topics, please forward items at least 24 hours prior to meetings

PURPOSE

The Homeless and Housing members, attendees, and speakers are here sharing knowledge, ideas, and resources to identify problems and find solutions to the homeless crisis.

Today’s meeting agenda is with emphasis on Adaptive Reuse housing initiatives and more.      

3 min

POLICY MEETING UPDATES

The prior 8:30 Homeless and Housing Policy meeting wrap-up as presented by selected participating members.

5 min 

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION(S) AND OR UPDATES: 

• Natalie Naculich, HCC, WSNA: Housing activism updates: Rent Stabilization Board actions 
• Daniel Pichinson, Ryan Chelsea Clinton, updates
• Richard Perkins, Housing Works
• Caitlin LeCroix, RXHomes

7 min

HOUSING & POLICY COMMITTEES

Anyone wanting to be involved let us know via email or chat.

2 min

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

• ACE, nonprofit workforce development Programs

Elizabeth McNierney, Program Director

7 min

BETH ISRAEL HOSPITAL

• Adaptive Reuse: Medical Respite Bed facility
• Road blocks to using Beth Israel’s closed wings for medical respite bed (Arthur Schwartz)
  • Jennifer suggestion: working group to further the above objective

3 min

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF COMMERCIAL SPACE

• Planning for Adaptive Reuse Together: Transforming Hotels to Housing Forum
  • If you missed the forum you can review it on our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Midtownsouthnyc/videos/1202319366867631
• Summary
• Updates: Legislation progress: HONDA bill: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s5257/amendment/a
• Next steps

Ted Houghton, President of Gateway Housing

15 min

STREET SHEETS

• Overview: ready for distribution (see attached)
• Rollout and monitoring
• Volunteers needed

2min

PUBLIC CONCERNS

• Mental Health
  • About 30% of people who are unhoused are dealing with mental health issues, the majority of people and with the more serious issues are likely found with the street homeless population who are resistant to service
  • 50% of the jail population are mentally ill
  • The above being the case, how do we get the street residents the service they need
• Other

8 min

ACTION LIST

• Summary of today’s actions

2 min

ANNOUNCEMENTS / EVENTS

• Shower Power updates
• Urban Farm
• Other?

3 min

AOB

• Topic Suggests:
  • HPD will speak about their new Housing Connect website for our July 6th Meeting
  • Talking points and having our voices heard
  • Public bathrooms (Portable bathroom for Hotels plazas)
• Speaker Suggestions: All suggestions are welcomed
• New Members: Thank you for joining, feel free to tell us about your needs or schedule a presentation, and connect with anyone within this network
• Next Meeting: 9:30 am, Tuesday, July 6, 2021 (The first Tuesday of every month) 
  • HPD will be speak on their revamped web access: Housing Connect

2 min

HOW TO ZOOM

• Download the basic FREE app and become familiar with Zoom: https://zoom.us, create a FREE account.

ADDENDUM A: DEFINING HOUSING

DEFINING HOUSING

When advocating for housing rights with a focus on community, the below items are considered:

• Shelters: Truly transitional; although purposeful, achieving our housing and community goals will eliminate or lessen the need
• Medical Respite Beds: Health care unit for longer stay and transitioning to housing (see Addendum B: Medical Respite Bed Advocacy Plan)
• SROs: Single Room Occupancy
• Supportive: Accessorized with social services
• Housing First: Unconditional placement
• Really Affordable: Rentals below the medium wage of 55,000 and or below 30% of income (input)
• Affordable: The market rate rentals currently available to people above the medium wage up to 88,000 with a 30% of income ask or higher (see Addendum x)
• Option and Incentives for Home Owner

 ADDENDUM B: ANNOUNCEMENTS

MSCC GO FUNDME

• Please support our  Go Fund me campaigns: Laundry for Kids and Street Sheets, Feed 300 Bronx families for 3 days and 3 nights. Laundry For Kids

CHELSEA RYAN HEALTH CLINIC SERVICES ANSWERING SHELTER NEEDS

Ryan Chelsea-Clinton is a community based health center located at 645 Tenth Avenue (45th and 46th Street).  We provide primary and specialty medical care to adults and children.  We also have on-site dentistry, social work, optometry, HIV testing and treatment, benefit acquisition, behavioral health and care coordination.  We also have a dedicated RN Manager and Social Worker-CASAC for our Medication Assisted Treatment as well as other addiction screening and assessment services.  Ryan also has a large mobile health unit which has two full service exam rooms.

As a federally-qualified health center, we do not turn any community member away due to their ability or inability to pay and we will assist them in obtaining Medicaid if appropriate.  We also have a partnership with an independent pharmacy across the street from us and have a very generous sliding fee scale for medications to ensure our patients can take those that are prescribed by their providers.

NETWORK PARTNER NEEDS

Josiah Haken, from New York City Relief, is looking for a storefront office space in midtown, to provide case management and care coordination. Able to pay round 4-5k per month, or $48-60k per year up front with the right deal (in the next two months). Small space for at least 2 offices with windows, to see clients in person and have them meet virtually with doctors or psychiatrists as well as receive assistance with 2010E packages and HRA benefits. It would not be a space where lots of people are served at once.