§ 21-155 Biannual reporting on air conditioning in shelters.
AC § 21-155
a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the term “shelter” means temporary emergency housing provided by the department of homeless services, the department of social services, the department of housing preservation and development, or by a provider under contract or similar agreement with such agency, provided that such term shall not include units provided by such agency on a per diem basis. b. Report and notification.
1.No later than 1 year after the effective date of the local law that added this section, and no later than every April 1 and November 1 thereafter, the commissioner of homeless services, in coordination with the commissioner of social services and commissioner of housing preservation and development, shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report regarding the availability and functionality of air conditioning in shelters. Such report shall include the following information for each borough: (a) the percentage of shelters that have air conditioning in congregate areas, sleeping areas, or both; (b) the percentage of shelters that have air conditioning provided through a central air system, an installed unit, or both; and (c) the percentage of shelters with a central air system or installed units that did not function for a total period of 72 hours or more during the time period covered by such report.
2.The commissioner shall post each such report as required under paragraph 1 of this subdivision conspicuously on the department of social service’s website.
3.Within 30 days of air conditioning that is not functioning for a total of 72 hours or more, the commissioner and the commissioner of housing preservation and development shall notify the council member within whose district such shelter is located of the outage and what the plan is to restore the functioning of the air conditioning. (L.L. 2025/154, 11/8/2025, eff. 11/8/2025) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2025/154.
