Civil Case: 26 CV 0176

Southern District Court of New York

Pena

v.

Former Commissioner Molly Wasow Park (NYC Dept. of Homeless Services), CEO Jody Rudin (Institute for Community Living), Siobhan Dannacker (Manhattan Veterans Affairs Homeless Services Manager), Teresa Santiago (Co-Chair Veterans Task Force), and Adam Wawrynek (Co-Chair Veterans Task Force)

Summary of Complaint


The lawsuit raises urgent concerns regarding the administration of the Veterans Affairs Grant & Per Diem (GPD) Transitional Housing Program, which is federally funded to provide safe housing and supportive services to vulnerable veterans. The allegations highlight a pattern of deficiencies impacting some of the most underserved veteran populations.


Key issues include:

  • Lack of Resources for Women Veterans:

The complaint alleges that New York City, through the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), Institute for Community Living (ICL), and Manhattan VA Homeless Services, has failed to provide any equivalent GPD-funded transitional housing for women veterans, effectively excluding them from access to federally funded services.

  • Failure to Provide Dignified and Compliant Housing Conditions:

The GPD program requires safe, supportive environments with access to healthcare, nutrition, and community integration. However, the lawsuit alleges unsafe, unsanitary conditions, lack of transportation, and exposure to violence within the system, contrary to federal standards .

  • Coercive Medical Disclosure and Discriminatory Practices:

Veterans are allegedly required to disclose or obtain mental health or substance use diagnoses to access housing, raising concerns under HIPAA and federal disability protections.

  • Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

The lawsuit asserts that a formerly homeless veteran with service-connected PTSD was unlawfully dismissed and denied reasonable accommodations, constituting discrimination under Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

  • Breakdown in Oversight and Accountability:

City agencies and contracted providers are alleged to have failed in enforcing compliance with federal GPD requirements, despite receiving funding contingent on meeting those standards.


This case not only addresses individual harm but also seeks to bring accountability and reform to a system that is intended to serve those who have honorably served our country.