Well, so much for Happy Holidays.
Word has leaked that HASA is denying reimbursement funding to New York City’s beloved Bailey House for the operational expenses accrued during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Bailey House’s facility located on Christopher Street—Bailey-Holt House—which has provided congregate housing for the homeless and people living with HIV/AIDS since 1986, was hit especially hard by Hurricane Sandy, forcing the organization’s unflappable staff to find suitable rehousing for 44 residents living with HIV/AIDS in facilities that would accommodate a harm reduction modality.
Many residents were able to stay with friends and family, while other residents were taken to other supportive housing locations that were culturally competent to aid those struggling with addiction and who needed to adhere to stable treatment schedules. Quattrochi and her dedicated staff made sure all of their residents were supplied with any items they might need while living away from Bailey, including clothing, pots and pans, toiletries, medications, and other daily living supplies. Overall, Quattrochi notes that the 40 Bailey House residents were scattered throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.
Yet while Bailey House was supplying its residents with all they needed and also working out of its East Harlem offices, coordinating case management visits, medical office visits, and other physical and mental health needs, HASA appeared to be conjuring up ways to avoid reimbursing the organization for its operational costs during November and December. Currently Bailey House is asking the City for full November and December reimbursement for the fixed costs the facility is responsible for, regardless if they are physically able to open.
Bailey House CEO Gina Quattrochi said, “Since the hurricane, Bailey House’s water bill has skyrocketed, maybe because of a broken pipe somewhere.” Additionally, Bailey House is also struggling with allocated costs, including insurances, audit expenses, human resources and IT needs, program and residential management, and 24/7 hour security to ensure the OEM generators were not stolen. In total, these costs alone are $3000 per week, totaling approximately $150,000 for November, and slightly less for December.
In addition, Bailey House has also paid salaries and benefits to five of the normally forty staff, including a nurse and three residential management staff who have been at the facility for twelve, ten, and six years respectively and know every resident by heart. They have been available to displaced residents via “home” visits, phone and uptown office visits. Furloughed staff are also using accrued time and all full-time staff will be paid through December 31st with accrued time.
But in a true Scrooge-fashion, HASA has refused to reimburse Bailey House for its operational costs, namely its electricity and water bills. Instead, HASA has passed the buck onto Bailey House, telling them that they must apply for FEMA funding to offset the “extraordinary” costs that the storm has caused.
Upon hearing this Grinch-like news, Quattrochi requested a meeting with HASA in hopes of explaining the organization’s extenuating circumstance. Scheduled for Wednesday, December 19th, HASA telling canceled the meeting the morning of, claiming they didn’t have a physical meeting space and instead suggested a conference call. Once on the call, HASA representatives listened to the situation and suggested an additional conference call follow-up in the next day or so.
And per usual, instead of following through, HASA canceled the conference call and HASA Deputy Commissioner Jacqueline Dudley sent this email instead.
Regina & Kevin,
This email is being sent as a follow-up to our conference call this past Wednesday. At this time, we believe that your most viable option in seeking reimbursement for emergency protective measures, repairs and operating expenses incurred while you are waiting for building repairs to be completed is to apply for a FEMA grant as soon as possible, as recommended by Jill Berry. HRA’s Finance Office will be more than happy to walk you through the application procedure and will do everything possible to assist you in getting the application processed as quickly as possible. You should also investigate whether you have insurance policies that would cover such expenses. The City of New York has arranged for pro-bono services to assist you in negotiating with your insurance carrier.
After the holidays, we will set up a meeting with you to discuss these issues further.
Best Regards,
Jacqueline Dudley
It is shameful that HASA and its highest representatives are unwilling to pay for Bailey House’s operational costs, especially when the organization is not seeking reimbursement for the repairs and other capital costs they have accrued since Hurricane Sandy.
Additionally, as CEO Quattrochi notes, “As for the FEMA application, the maximum grant, even if we get it, is far less than our operational expenses to date, before we make repairs that Rapid Repair will not make.”
To date, Bailey House has spent nearly $500,000 in operational and capital costs since the Hurricane to house its displaced residents, fix its residential housing facilities, remove the hurricane damage and debris, and ensuring the building’s structural safety for its residents and staff.
And all Bailey House is asking for is for reimbursement for its capital costs in order to keep its staff and residents functional and running until operations can resume in full.
This is truly a Grinch-like move on behalf of HASA, a move, unfortunately, that is unsurprising to many of us who are immersed in the HIV/AIDS housing field.
Help us get Bailey House the funding and respect they deserve! Call HASA at 1-212-971-0626, or email HASA Commissioner Robert Doar and tell him that HASA’s stance is unacceptable. We cannot let the city’s homeless and people living with HIV/AIDS fall through bureaucratic cracks.
Join us in the fight by resharing and reposting this as far and wide as possible, and stay tuned for more updates.
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