Devin is a public advocate for NYC

Let’s Upgrade New York City

New York is an exceptional city with a mediocre government. We can change that by modernizing city agencies the open source way.

The NY1 Interview The MNN Interview

“We can’t even see our safety net…”

2-1-1 systems list all nonprofit health, human and social services in a community. Almost every city in the USA has one. NYC doesn’t – and it’s a scandal. As Public Advocate I’ll make sure we build a 2-1-1.

Our Platform

New Yorkers Deserve the World's Greatest City Government

I’m producing solutions for NYC because I grew up here. I care. And I can.

NYC’s Missing 2-1-1 System

It’s an absolute travesty that New York City still doesn’t have a publicly accessible directory of all health, human and social services available in the area. Almost every other city in the US has one!

I’ve built open source human resources directory platforms used in US cities and I’m working with stakeholders in NYC to make it happen.

Technology Transformation Service

Cities around the world are leveraging technology to provide residents with services faster, better and cheaper than ever before. Meanwhile, our city’s leaders drags their feet to appease bureaucrats and bosses.

I’ve helped city agencies use technology to improve their operations and founded WeGov.NYC to support civil servants doing the same.

Sensational Civic Engagement

New Yorkers voted for more civic engagement via the charter amendment of 2017. Politicians are stalling because they know that if the public can make decisions without politicians, they’ll lose power.

I’ve done projects with civic engagement pioneers in the Netherlands, Taiwan, Spain, the USA. I can bring best practices here. Let’s do it!

News & Media

DEVIN BALKIND RUNS FOR PUBLIC ADVOCATE WITH A FOCUS ON PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS.

Devin Balkind is a technologist who spent the last decade working with nonprofits, governments and businesses to improve people’s lives. He says: “I’m concerned that the Public Advocate’s office has become a venue for political provocation and propaganda, instead of what it was intended to be — a way to make government more transparent and […]

Disaster Preparedness Requires a 211 System; New York City Still Doesn’t Have One

Over the last few years, New Yorkers have watched with great anxiety as Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, among many other places, were pummeled by massive hurricanes. Whenever we see storm destruction, memories of Sandy re-enter our consciousness; as does the question: Is New York City significantly better prepared for the next big one? My […]

Real Solutions the Public Advocate Should Deliver for New York City

The New York City Public Advocate is a poorly defined position that, over its 30 years of existence, has often been used to advance the political interests and status of career politicians. I’m running for Public Advocate because I want to do something very different with the office: turn it into a “startup” working in […]

It’s Time for a “Participatory” Democracy Instead of our “Consumer” One

Democracy in the United States was established nearly 250 years ago when news traveled at the speed of a horse and real-time collaboration required sharing a physical location. Today, ubiquitous internet access, smartphones, social media, and online collaboration tools have transformed how we work, play and consume, but the basic structure of our politics remains the same.