Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Download

Fort Greene Strategic Neighborhood Action Partnership

P.O. Box 050226, 324 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11205 718.694.6957 Fax 718.694.6958 www.fortgreenesnap.org

Robert V. HessCommissioner, Department of Homeless Services33 Beaver Street, 17

Floor New York, NY 10004Dear Commissioner Hess,We write to you today out of serious concern for residents of Auburn Family Residence inBrooklyn. For months residents of the shelter have voiced a number of complaints aboutconditions inside the shelter. Recent inspections have further evinced substantial problems.Auburn's residents represent some of New York City's most vulnerable, including over 100homeless children. Residents require and deserve adequate case management, adequate andconsistent heating and a dignified living environment. Such conditions can only help familiesmove from homelessness to stability and permanent housing. Fort Greene SNAP hasadvocated for Fort Greene's most vulnerable residents for over a decade, and we are veryconcerned that families at Auburn endure hardship during their stay at the shelter. We requestyour attention and response to the following concerns.We are very concerned that numerous residents, including families with children, have hadinadequate heating during this particularly cold winter. OTDA's October 2008 inspectionreport, composed of data from inspections conducted during August and September 2008,noted one room “off-line due to the lack of heat due in part to drafty non-storm windows.”There has not been an OTDA inspection this winter. Since October 2008 residents havecomplained to us about having no heat, inconsistent heat or otherwise inadequate heat in their rooms. We have heard complaints of windows that don't prevent the cold from entering rooms.OTDA has cited concerns about heat at Auburn in the past. In its inspection during winter 2007, inspectors found “Residents' complaints of cold rooms” and that “16 rooms were off-line due to the lack of heat due in part to drafty non-storm windows.” In its inspection reportissued April 2006, OTDA found that “Approximately 90% of the apartments were found to beexcessively cold during the inspection,” which resulted in residents placing “mattresses in thewindows in order to prevent cold air from penetrating the room.”Auburn is currently undergoing a massive project that includes the replacement of allwindows. We are concerned about the choice of replacing so many windows through the winter months and theimpact of window replacements on shelter residents.

Funded under contracts and funds provided by the New York State Department of Education through resources made possible by a grant from Assemblymen Joseph Lentol, Hakeem Jeffries and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. Funded by grants and contracts withNew York City Department of Youth and Community Development through resources provided by City Councilwoman Letitia James, J.P Morgan Chase Foundation,New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Health, New York Foundation, St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Sisters of St. Dominic Ministry Fund,United Way of NYC, and individual donors (in formation.). __________________________________________________________________________________________ Member of Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Board Members

Donna Latham

Chairperson And Treasurer

Rev. Dr. Mark V.C. Taylor

Vice Chairperson

S. Sally Butler

Recording Secretary

Horace WilliamsKevin CostinBrian CosgroveBuren "Fuzzy" FigueroaSister Elizabeth HillBettie MaysFlorence Kirby

Projects:

Family Resource Center Computer LiteracyGrandparent CaregiversInfant Mortality ReductionProjectUnderstanding PersonalFinances

InternshipsOpportunities:

Touro CollegeCity As SchoolNew York City College of Technology-Human ServicesHunter School of Social WorkArbor We Care

Executive Director

Georgianna Glose, OP, DSW

Associate Director

Henrietta Koffi

Fort Greene Strategic Neighborhood Action Partnership

P.O. Box 050226, 324 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11205 718.694.6957 Fax 718.694.6958 www.fortgreenesnap.org

The heating system at Auburn is also a concern. Since October residents have complained to us that their heaterseither don't work at all or work sometimes and not others. Our understanding is that the heating system is scheduled to be replaced by January 2010, meaning residents could endure problematic heating for the remainder of this winter andmuch of next winter.Resident complaints of lacking and inconsistent heat make us very concerned about how DHS plans to ensureadequate heat for all residents. Conditions in Auburn during previous years show a neglectful attitude toward ensuringthe warmth of residents. How do DHS and Auburn plan to ensure adequate heating for all Auburn residents untilwarm weather arrives this year? How are Auburn and DHS ensuring the windows are sufficiently blocking the cold?How are Auburn and DHS ensuring that ongoing window replacements do not cause hardship to shelter residents?What are DHS and Auburn doing to ensure that the current heating system adequately provides heat to all residents?How do DHS and Auburn intend to ensure sufficient heat through the installation of a new heating system next year?Another major concern is inadequate case management at Auburn. Residents have repeatedly complained that casemanagers do not adequately assist them. OTDA's inspection report issued in October noted a number of problems,including: failure to “conduct a comprehensive assessment within 10 days of family's admission date;” failure “toreview and revise all families Bi-Weekly/Independent Living Plans...on a bi-weekly basis;” failure to “refer all familymembers to the appropriate service agency within 30 days of each family's needs assessment;” and failure to “provideall families with adequate housing assistance.” OTDA's report was provided to DHS and Auburn's director in lateOctober, yet we've repeatedly heard from residents that they still experience inadequate case management. How andwhen do DHS and Auburn plan to improve resident case management?Further, in its inspection report OTDA stated that DHS must “ensure that additional housing personnel are provided inorder to ensure that adequate and appropriate housing services are provided to shelter families.” When does DHS planto hire another housing specialist?Conditions faced by children who reside at Auburn are also of major concern. In 2002 DHS promised communityadvocates, including Fort Greene SNAP, that children would no longer reside at Auburn. In 2005 the city designatedAuburn as an Adult Family Shelter. OTDA's inspection report in October cited the shelter for “failure to providestructured child-care services for resident children between the ages of 3 months through 5 years.” OTDA stated thatDHS must hire “a minimum of 4 appropriate child-care staff,” “Provide child-care during the hours from 8:00AM – 6:00PM,” and “Provide appropriate furnishings, manipulative toys, crayons, wheel toys, etc. for the child-care program.” DHS must also hire “as a minimum, one additional recreation worker...to assist the recreation coordinator.”Months after DHS received OTDA's report these issues have not been corrected. When do DHS and Auburn plan tocorrect them?Coupled with Auburn's lack of child care is the issue of inappropriate bathroom facilities at the shelter: adults andchildren are forced to use the same bathrooms. This is a risk to the children who reside at Auburn. What are DHS and