The State of Homelessness in New York

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted the virtual program, “The State of Homelessness in New York,” on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The panel discussion was moderated by Patrick Wildes, Esq., ’16, Director of the Government Law Center and recent Assistant Secretary for Human Services and Mental Hygiene in the Office of the Governor of New York State. Panelists discussed major legal and policy issues in the health and human services sector, with a particular focus on homelessness in New York State. Panelists included: · Jennifer Quijano, Esq. – Director of the Shelter Advocacy Project, City Bar Justice Center · Ken Zimmerman, Esq. – CEO, Fountain House · Keith Brown – Public Health Director, Schenectady County · Luke Sikinyi – Vice President of Public Policy, The Alliance for Rights and Recovery This program was the third in a series of four held monthly from February through May. The Warren M. Anderson Legislative Series features experts who address major legal and policy issues pending before New York State government. The series is named in honor of Warren M. Anderson ’40 who served in the New York State Senate for 36 years, working with six governors. He was the longest-serving majority leader of the Senate, holding that position from 1973 to 1988. The goal of these programs is to explain and promote dialogue about current and proposed law and policy, rather than advocate for a particular policy or course of action. Programs from past years can be viewed at https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/warren-m-anderson-series. The Government Law Center at Albany Law School was established in 1978 and serves as a bridge between government, academia, and the legal profession. For nearly 50 years, the GLC has been an essential source for nonpartisan legal research and analysis about pressing issues facing state and local governments. Learn more about the GLC at https://albanylaw.edu/glc.