Christine Quinn: Why New York City Can't Fix Homelessness

Episode DescriptionChristine Quinn was once the second most powerful person in New York City government. As City Council Speaker — the first woman and first openly gay person to hold that role — she negotiated eight budgets with Mayor Bloomberg and shaped the city's political landscape for nearly a decade. Today, she runs WIN (Women in Need), the largest provider of shelter and supportive housing for homeless families in New York City, housing about 5,000 people every night — roughly half of them children.In conversation with host Juan Manuel Benítez, Quinn walks us through the harrowing intake process a homeless mother faces, explains why New York spends $4.4 billion on homeless services yet keeps falling behind, and makes the case for why housing vouchers — not shelter beds — are the key to solving the crisis. She talks about what she expects from Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first budget, why the road to the Democratic House majority runs through New York, and what it was like to bluff Mayor Bloomberg on a budget vote with no cards in her hand.Quinn also opens up about losing the 2013 mayoral race, her colon cancer diagnosis, and how both experiences deepened her commitment to service.Show NotesChristine QuinnPresident & CEO, WIN (Women in Need)Vice Chair, New York State Democratic CommitteeFormer NYC City Council Speaker (2006–2013), first woman and first openly gay person in that roleCNN and MSNBC political contributorBook RecommendationThe Frozen River by Ariel LawhonArt & Culture RecommendationAmy Sherald: American Sublime Mentioned in This EpisodeWIN's upcoming fundraiser — March 4 at Chelsea Piers, supporting camp programs for children in shelter