Advocacy Blog Post |  Published January 2026

 

New Destiny Housing’s Response to HUD’s Changes to Vital Programs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is attempting to dismantle the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, which has funded evidence-based housing initiatives nationwide for years. If this stands, at least 170,000 households will be at risk of losing their homes in the coming months, including thousands of domestic violence survivors. Right after a federal judge granted motions for preliminary injunction that restored next year’s CoC funding, HUD released a new funding competition that puts programs at risk once again.

New Destiny relies on CoC funding to deliver critical housing support through our Housing Access and Stability Services program, serving more than 300 households each year. This funding is essential to help survivors of domestic violence find safe, stable housing and rebuild their lives.

To emphasize this need, our Vice President of External Affairs, Gabriela Sandoval Requena, and New Destiny’s Survivor Voices Project member, Tabinda Khan, spoke with CBS6 Albany about the impact of our rapid rehousing program, as federal funding cuts threaten housing assistance nationwide.

Tabinda shared how New Destiny’s rapid housing program changed her life: “The biggest gift is being able to control your environment and not live in fear.”

Watch the full segment here.

 

NYC Housing Updates: Reforming CityFHEPS

Maritza Rico, New Destiny’s Policy & Advocacy Manager, testified at New York City Council General Welfare Committee oversight hearing on the CityFHEPS program. New Destiny applauds Council Member Gale Brewer for championing legislation to strengthen the program through better inspections, faster application responses, and greater transparency. We also commend the Council for overriding Mayor Adams’s veto of additional CityFHEPS reforms. Watch clips of Maritza’s testimony on our Instagram or read our full written statement here.

Nicole Campbell, a member of New Destiny’s Survivor Voices Project, penned an op-ed for City Limits urging Mayor-elect Mamdani to prioritize critical housing resources for survivors of domestic violence, which continues to be the leading cause of family homelessness in our city. She called on the new administration to fix the CityFHEPS program and expand city-funded supportive housing for single survivors, ensuring that anyone who is escaping abuse can have access to safe and affordable homes.

 

Advocacy Win: Coerced Debt Bill Signed by Governor Hochul

Nicole Campbell also spoke with Sajina Shrestha of WAMC Northeast Public Radio about the impact of financial abuse on survivors and how Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Cleare’s proposed legislation on coerced debt can give survivors like her a chance to rebuild their lives. Listen here. A big thank you to Governor Hochul who signed the bill into law.