Enacts "Shavon's law" prohibiting enforcement of a lien where an occupant has a pending social services department storage fee assistance request or appeal

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Luis R. Sepúlveda says this is needed

In New York, individuals and families in shelters, on the street, or temporarily living with others are entitled to emergency assistance grants for storage of their belongings, as mandated by local social services departments. Grants for storage are provided during circum- stances like relocation or eviction, contingent upon continued eligibil- ity for public assistance. Once storage assistance is approved, payments are made directly to the self-storage facility, which typically has a lien on the stored items for unpaid fees. If fees remain unpaid, facili- ties can auction off items after providing 30 days' notice. However, many individuals lacking public assistance grants have little recourse to challenge lien validity or fees. In New York City, applicants must submit monthly applications or bills to benefits centers, despite exist- ing automated payment systems. This leads to precarious situations where individuals risk accumulating arrears and facing auctions that could result in loss of possessions. Many storage facilities do no properly comply with notice requirements, and the homeless may lack consistent access to important communications. Despite directives for prompt deci- sion-making in emergencies, enforcing these laws is burdensome for social services and individuals dealing with shelter crises. Many applicants face bureaucratic delays, risking loss of belonging to auctions under Lien Law Section 182, often without the ability to contest erroneous denials of assistance. Stories highlight the trauma and chaos resulting from such delays, exacerbating their housing crises and resulting in the loss of personal belongings, including irreplacea- ble family items. The proposed amendments to Lien Law Section 182 aim to address the ineq- uities facing homeless individuals burdened by social services delays, alongside the financial benefits storage facilities receive from public assistance payments. The Human Resources Administration reported signif- icant payments to storage facilities, which benefits from government subsidies amid the struggles of homeless individuals who rely on these services. Efforts are being made to encourage ongoing assistance during fair hearing processes, thereby providing homeless individual a safe- guard against the loss of their property while promoting efficiency within social services. Shavon's Law provides a balances solution for securing the belongings of homeless individuals in New York.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.