Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of Cooper Street Apartments, a $6.4 million, 34-unit transitional and permanent supportive housing development that will serve formerly homeless individuals and families in Glens Falls. Construction of the two-story building was funded with $5.8 million from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and is operated by the Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to homelessness and housing insecurity in our communities," Governor Cuomo said. "But thanks to investments through programs like the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, we are helping communities develop holistic approaches toward confronting these issues and ensuring all New Yorkers have access to the support services and housing that will provide them a safe, stable place to live."
The 28 permanent supportive housing units will be available for a range of populations, including individuals living with mental illness and young adults aged 18-25. The other six units will serve as transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The New York State Department of Mental Health is providing operating funding for Cooper Street Apartments through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative. Support services will be provided by the Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health and will include case management, legal assistance and advocacy, benefit assistance, counseling, and crisis intervention, among others.
The Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health was founded in 1948 to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness. The organization also operates Housing First, an 18-unit supportive housing project which was built with HHAP funding in Hudson Falls.
This project reflects Governor Cuomo's continued efforts to provide all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing, which is reflected in the state's unprecedented $20 billion housing plan. So far, the plan has helped to build or preserve 7,000 units of supportive housing across the state, putting the state well on the way to achieving the goal of 15,000 created or preserved over 15 years.
Building on this commitment, last year, the 2021 state budget increased the available funding for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program from $64 million to $128 million and funding was continued at that level in the current state budget.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said, "Transitional and supportive housing play such a critical role in assisting individuals and families that are grappling with homelessness. The Cooper Street Apartments will address a growing need identified by the community and provide stable housing for those who experience homelessness. Governor Cuomo's commitment to ending homelessness is providing local communities with the resources they can use to compassionately confront this issue head-on."
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Supportive housing provides people living with mental illness the opportunity to live independently and successfully in their own communities. The Cooper Street Apartments in Glens Falls is a beautiful addition to the neighborhood that will provide residents with a welcoming home. This is another successful venture of the Governor's Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) which has given thousands of vulnerable individuals and families a safe and stable home with the services they need."
Senator Dan Stec said, "Homelessness is a very serious challenge in communities all across the state. Addressing it, not ignoring it, is the right answer. Compassionate and well-planned care is what people, including many veterans living on the streets, really need. Mental health and other support services are critical and will be available here for the residents, helping them build better lives."
Assemblyman Matt Simpson said, "I am happy to see this project come to fruition with the Cooper Street Apartments. My mother worked in the mental health field for years; I was able to see first-hand how important providing mental health resources really is. The opening of these apartments alongside supportive services from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will be a great resource for our area and is a welcome new addition to Glens Falls. I want to thank the city and its residents for making this a reality."
Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health CEO Andrea Deepe said, "Sadly, homelessness exists here in Glens Falls and in many of the communities in the surrounding counties. The Cooper Street Apartments will serve as a beacon of hope and a new beginning for those who are experiencing homelessness in this area. We are proud of the community support we received for this project and applaud Governor Cuomo for ensuring projects like this become a reality throughout the state."