Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced 182 conditional awards for more than 1,200 units of supportive housing for homeless persons with special needs, conditions or other challenges. The awards will provide support services and operating funds to 116 community partners in 43 counties across the State. This is the third phase of Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative awards, which is part of the Governor's 5-year, $2.6 billion commitment to developing 6,000 units of supportive housing in New York State.
"The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative is providing thousands of individuals with the stability and services they need to live productive lives," Governor Cuomo said. "This administration has made a historic commitment to ending homelessness and ensuring that even the most vulnerable New Yorkers have access to affordable housing, making communities across the state safer for all."
"As part of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, we're making sure the most vulnerable New Yorkers are provided with housing and support services," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "We've made significant investments in our effort to end homelessness across the state, and today's awards will fund the cost for supportive housing in 43 counties to make sure homeless individuals with special needs are given the resources they need to lead stable and productive lives."
Since Governor Cuomo announced his landmark $20 billion Housing Plan in the 2016 State of the State message, New York has already provided funding for the construction and/or operation of 3,098 supportive housing units in just two years. The latest round of Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative awards are five-year renewable contracts for services and operating costs for at least 1,200 additional supportive housing units, bringing the total number of units funded to more than 4,200 in just three years.
Awardees are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in services and operating funds for each new supportive housing unit. The awards will help applicants secure capital through New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the Homeless Housing Assistance Program to finance the development and construction of their supportive housing project.
In this third round of awards, applicants were instructed to demonstrate how their proposals would help specific populations, including homeless veterans and their families; victims of domestic violence; frail or disabled senior citizens; young adults with histories of incarceration, homelessness or foster care; chronically homeless individuals and families; individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; and people living with HIV or AIDS, serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
The awards announced today may be used to provide rental assistance and services to eligible target populations to ensure their housing stability, including but not limited to:
The list of providers that received conditional awards is available here.
Senator Betty Little, Chair, Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development said, "Supportive housing connects people with safe, decent affordable housing and critical services that help them to lead healthier and more productive lives. That's why I was pleased to partner with my colleagues in the Legislature, and the Governor, to fund the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, ensuring that New York remains committed to helping people overcome the barriers to housing stability."
Senator Robert G. Ortt, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities said, "For too long, access to stable housing has been an obstacle for society's most vulnerable individuals and has prevented them from fully integrating into the communities they call their own. We know that having a place to feel safe and rest your head after a hard day's work is vitally important and it should be no different for individuals in need of supportive housing. These awards will ensure that those in need of additional assistance have access to a safe residence, allowing them to focus on making the community around them a better place."
Assemblymember Michael G. DenDekker, Chair, Assembly Committee on Veterans' Affairs said, "I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and the New York State Office of Mental Health for proceeding with the $2.6 billion five-year plan for supportive housing. Providing social services for seniors, veterans, residents with substance abuse and various mental health issues is critical. This program will create safe, affordable housing with supportive services for the most vulnerable New Yorkers."
Senator George Amedore, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said, "Housing security is a critical component to help those who have overcome addiction stay on the path to recovery. These supportive housing units will ensure the most vulnerable members of our communities have access to the support and services they need to help them get back on their feet."
New York has more supportive housing than any other state in the nation. Supportive Housing is a cornerstone for individuals with disabilities or other challenging life circumstances, providing stable, permanent homes and on-site services. Providers work with tenants to ensure the appropriate services and treatment are available to help them lead independent lives.
The awards will address the needs of all the populations served by the agencies in the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative Interagency Workgroup, which include: