Thank you, Chair Hudson, and the esteemed members of the Committee on General Welfare for the opportunity to submit testimony on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. My name is Jade Vasquez, and I am the Director of Policy and Research at Win, the largest provider of shelter and supportive housing to families with children in New York City and the nation. We operate 16 shelters and nearly 500 supportive housing units across the five boroughs. Each night, nearly 7,000 people call Win “home,” including 3,600 children.
Today, as our city faces its worst affordability crisis, more than 100,000 New Yorkers, including 33,000 children, are experiencing homelessness. However, this year, as we welcome a new Mayor and Council with a strong affordability agenda, we believe that New York City can lead the nation in passing a progressive budget that centers the needs of working people and marginalized communities.