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New Destiny’s 5th Annual Symposium on Housing Solutions for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • 9:00 am to 1:00 pm • New York Law School

Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 6 for a morning of connection, candor, and solution-driven conversation. 

Now in its fifth year, New Destiny’s Symposium has become the premier convening at the intersection of domestic violence and housing in New York — bringing together advocates, government leaders, funders, service providers, and survivors to share proven solutions and chart the path forward. This year’s program centered on one question: what does it actually take to house survivors of domestic violence and help them heal and thrive?

 

The program featured:  

  • A keynote by Katrina Brownlee, retired NYPD detective, survivor, and best-selling author of And Then Came the Blues: My Story of Survival on Both Sides of the Badge. 
  • A City Hall discussion on the city’s vision to house and serve domestic violence survivors, with Erin Dalton, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Social Services, Dr. Ayesha Delany-Brumsey, Commissioner of the brand-new Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, and Meryl Block Weissman, Deputy Commissioner for Housing Access and Stability at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. 
  • New findings from Dr. Kristie A. Thomas of Simmons University, evaluating the efficacy of New Destiny’s Emergency Housing Voucher Aftercare Program. Read the two-year evaluation. 
  • A legislative convening of New York City and State’s most influential housing and social services lawmakers: Council Member Crystal Hudson, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, and Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez. 
  • A closing keynote from Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, whose office has been a leading voice on the housing crisis facing survivors. 

City Limits covered the report through the experience of Stephanie, a member of our Survivor Voices Project and an EHV Aftercare client, read the story.

 

With Gratitude to our Sponsors

The Symposium was possible because of our sponsors. Their support brings this community together each year and keeps our programming accessible to the people doing this work every day.


Interested in sponsoring next year’s Symposium? Contact Wren Longno at wlongno@newdestinyhousing.org.

 

Homelessness and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence and homelessness are fundamentally connected. In New York City, domestic violence is the leading cause of family homelessness, pushing more families into shelter than evictions. 

Access to safe and affordable housing is one of survivors’ biggest, most urgent concerns, and it often determines whether they leave their abuser and stay alive. Without a safe home, it is impossible for survivors to address the long-lasting health consequences of the abuse.

 

Curious about New Destiny’s 4th Annual Symposium?  

Visit the event page to see highlights and photos from our largest gathering yet.