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Bill

A 308

Requires the Department of Homeless Services to notify the affected community board prior to locating transitional housing for the homeless

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Cunningham and 1 co-sponsor

Requires NY DHS to notify affected community boards before locating transitional housing for the homeless, boosting local transparency and stakeholder input.

REFERRED TO CITIES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 308

Bill Summary: A 308

Overview

A 308 is a New York State Assembly bill introduced on January 8, 2025, and currently referred to the Cities Committee. The bill would require the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to notify the affected community board prior to locating transitional housing for the homeless.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary objective is to increase transparency and local engagement by ensuring community boards are informed before DHS locates transitional housing in their district.
  • The measure aims to involve community stakeholders early in the site-location process for transitional housing.

Key Provisions

  • DHS must notify the affected community board prior to locating transitional housing for the homeless.
  • The term "affected community board" refers to the local community board(s) with jurisdiction over the area where transitional housing is proposed, though the provided material does not specify additional geographic scope or notification timelines.
  • The bill as written focuses on notification and does not, in the provided text, specify required follow-up actions, forums for public comment, or timelines for DHS responses.

Affected Parties

  • Department of Homeless Services (DHS): Responsible for compliance with the notification requirement.
  • Affected community boards: Local neighborhood-level governance bodies that would receive advance notice about proposed transitional housing sites.
  • Homeless individuals and households who would be housed in transitional housing as a result of DHS actions.
  • Adjacent residents and local stakeholders in areas where transitional housing is being considered.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Cities Committee (indicating the bill is in the legislative process and awaiting further consideration, hearings, or amendments in that committee).

Related and Companion Legislation

  • Related Assembly bills (prior-session): A 6879, A 6212, A 4824, A 8144, A 3849.
  • Companion Senate bill: S 3884 (listed twice, indicating a companion measure exists in the Senate).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Positive impacts: Enhanced local transparency, structured community input, and potential improvements in community relations around transitional housing proposals.
  • Potential challenges: If notification requirements introduce delays in site selection or require additional administrative steps for DHS, there could be increased planning time or procedural complexity.
  • Fiscal impact: Not specified in the provided information; future fiscal notes would typically address costs associated with notification processes.

Next Steps

  • Monitor the bill’s progression in the Cities Committee for potential amendments, hearings, and votes.
  • Review text for any added provisions on notification timelines, feedback mechanisms, or additional duties for DHS as the bill advances.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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