Kadisha Davis has a steady income, is a single mother and has a bachelor’s degree. But up until a few years ago, she was in the city’s shelter system with her daughter.
At one point, Davis was living in a shelter in Queens, but worked at a community college in Manhattan while having to take her daughter to daycare in Brooklyn.
“I was actually working at BMCC at one point when I was in a shelter,” said Davis, who explained the trek it was to cross three different borough on a daily basis. “I would literally have to come from Queens, go to Manhattan, go to Brooklyn and then go back to Manhattan.”
What You Need To Know
- Kadisha Davis was on of a handful of formerly homeless individuals who spoke directly to city officials about her struggles in the city’s shelter system
- Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week announced changes to the city’s voucher system, including expanding eligibility, that will make the program more accessible for single adults and part-time workers
- New Department of Social Services commissioner Gary Jenkins said he’s optimistic about the changes and hopes it helps more struggling New Yorkers
Eventually Davis was able to get into public housing, but the journey to a stable home was not easy and was made more difficult by a complicated bureaucratic system. She spoke about her experience at a conference on Wednesday with advocates and city officials.
“I had to fight my way to get into shelter and I had to fight my way to get out of shelter,” said Davis, noting that many people in the shelter system struggle to find housing outside the system due to a lack of affordable apartments.
“Most times people are in there with full-time jobs and they can’t get out of shelter… either they can’t get a voucher or if they do get a voucher, people aren’t taking it,” said Davis.
Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week announced changes to the city’s voucher system, including expanding eligibility, that will make the program more accessible for single adults and part-time workers. It will also make the vouchers usable in any neighborhood across the city.
“For all the folks in higher income communities that say we need more housing, more housing, more housing, but not on my block…but no, they are moving on your block,” said Adams at a press conference at City Hall on Monday.
As part of the announcement, the city will expand the federal voucher program to help reach about 1,400 families in the next five years.
The announcement was a significant change under the new Department of Social Services commissioner Gary Jenkins, who was appointed by Adams. Jenkins has been under increased scrutiny in the last few months due to his handling of the migrant crisis that has only highlighted the pitfalls of the shelter system, including lack of space and little help.
Jenkins seemed optimistic about the changes when talking about how to best help struggling New Yorkers.
“So really I’m coming from my heart to really be here and effectuate change,” said Jenkins, who himself has received assistance from the city’s shelter system.
But homeless advocates and critics said these changes were long overdue.
“The system in general seems like a slow-turning wheel. I feel like it could be much faster but also with the hiring, with different stuff,” said Davis. “I think a lot of the staff are overworked and underpaid.”
The impact of the changes will need time to take effect, but in the meantime Davis is taking matters into her own hands.
She has a YouTube channel that she uses to help others navigate the shelter system, giving out tips and other helpful information. Davis also is the host of a weekly podcast called “Hear Our Voices” that highlights the experience of homeless families across the city.
“A lot of people are out here… they might hear about it, but they don’t understand how to navigate anything. People don’t understand how to navigate City FEHPs or Housing Connect…
Read More: Struggling New Yorkers weigh in on city’s changes to housing