Res No. 798
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.4247/A.9615 to provide assistance for SUNY and CUNY students experiencing homelessness.
By Council Members Williams, Stevens, Cabán, Hanif, Banks, Brewer, Hanks, Louis and Ayala
Whereas, As of December 2024, there were 124,763 New Yorkers sleeping in shelters in New York City, and another 250,000 more sleeping doubled-up or unsheltered, according to Coalition for the Homeless; and
Whereas, In 2020, 14% of all college students across the United States reported that they were homeless, and 48% said that they experienced housing insecurity; and
Whereas, In New York City, 18% of students studying at The City University of New York (CUNY) schools reported that they were homeless, and 55% said they were experiencing housing insecurity, according to the CUNY Real College Survey; and
Whereas, Research shows that students experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness are less likely to enroll full-time in college, have lower grades, and are less likely to graduate; and
Whereas, A college degree is a an established driver of economic mobility; and
Whereas, CUNY is particularly important in promoting economic mobility for historically disadvantaged populations, enrolling over 220,000 students annually, of which over 75% are students of color, over half are first generation college students, and almost a quarter are over the age of 25; and
Whereas, A 2021 report from the New York City Comptroller found that CUNY graduates working in New York City earned a combined $28.6 billion more than those without a post-secondary degree; and
Whereas, The report also noted that 79% of CUNY graduates work full time in New York State after graduation; and
Whereas, New York State Senate Bill S.4247, sponsored by New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and companion bill A.9615, sponsored by New York State Assembly member Alicia Hyndman, would provide assistance for the State University of New York (SUNY) and CUNY students experiencing homelessness; and
Whereas, S.4247/A.9615 would create the positions of a liaison officer and part-time adjunct staff to serve as regional contacts at each CUNY and SUNY school to provide support to incoming and current students experiencing homelessness, and mandate university staff and professors to attend annual training about how to best support students experiencing homelessness; and
Whereas, CUNY currently offers some guidance for students experiencing homelessness by providing links to searchable databases and resource guides; and
Whereas, Some individual CUNY schools also provide holistic support through Advocacy Resource Centers where students can receive benefits screenings, legal advice, and other assistance; and
Whereas, The National Center for Homeless Education, National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, and national nonprofit SchoolHouse Connection all cite access to a dedicated liaison or Single Point of Contact who supports students through the entire process of identifying and accessing services as key to ensuring that students experiencing homelessness succeed in higher education; and
Whereas, S.4247/A.9615 would enhance access to education for the over 100,000 CUNY students in NYC who experience some form of housing insecurity and help these students to graduate and develop greater economic stability; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.4247/A.9615 to provide assistance for SUNY and CUNY students experiencing homelessness.
PR
LSR 18607
2/14/2025