Int 0358-2024

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Chapter 1 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 20-o to read as follows: � 20-o. Office to address LGBTQ homelessness. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Director. The term "director" means the director appointed pursuant to subdivision b of this section. Office. The term "office" means the office to address LGBTQ homelessness that is established pursuant to subdivision b of this section. LGBTQ. The term "LGBTQ" means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other non-heterosexual sexual orientations or non-cisgender gender identities. Supportive housing. The term "supportive housing" means affordable and permanent housing with support services. b. Establishment of the office; director. The mayor shall establish an office to address LGBTQ homelessness, the head of which shall be a director appointed by the mayor. Such office may be established in any office of the mayor or be established as a separate office. c. Powers and duties. The director shall have the following powers and duties: 1. To identify housing issues specific to homeless individuals who identify as LGBTQ, including, but not limited to, the need for safe and gender-affirming supportive housing, and recommend plans to address such issues; 2. To review agency budgets at the request of the mayor, and recommend budget priorities to the mayor to promote programs related to LGBTQ homelessness; 3. To advise and assist the mayor with agency coordination and cooperation to administer such programs; 4. To facilitate communication between agencies that administer such programs and the public; 5. To develop both online and in-person mechanisms to refer homeless individuals who identify as LGBTQ to providers of homeless services, and promote public awareness of resources that could address the housing needs of such individuals; 6. To conduct in-person and online community outreach and education targeted to individuals who identify as LGBTQ including, but not limited to, information about preventive services, legal services, public benefits programs, rental assistance, education and job placement assistance, physical and mental healthcare, short-term financial assistance, and any other information the director deems relevant; and 7. To perform such other duties as the mayor may assign. d. Annual report. No later than January 31, 2024, and annually thereafter, the director shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report on the activities carried out by the office during the preceding year. � 2. This local law takes effect 90 days after it becomes law. Session 13 LS #9672 1/25/24 Session 12 MTT/ACK LS #9672 10/3/22 1:30 PM 2 3