Categories: New York State
11.25.2015
75% of NYS Legislators support robust commitment.
Twenty-six New York State Senators signed a bipartisan letter asking Governor Cuomo to commit to the development of 35,000 new units of supportive housing statewide.
The letter, submitted by Senator Martin Golden, is the latest action to move the supportive housing plan forward. In recent months, events in Buffalo, Rochester and Long Island have featured State Senators, State Assembly members and local elected officials and advocates from around the state calling for the Governor’s backing of a plan to create 35,000 units across the state.
Last month, Senator Rich Funke drew attention to supportive housing’s role in not only ending homelessness but in spurring economic development in struggling neighborhoods, at the site of the previously abandoned 73,000 square foot Cunningham Carriage Factory. And earlier this month, Senators Tom Croci and Phil Boyle held a news conference on Long Island to call for the creation of 35,000 supportive housing units statewide to help Suffolk County’s homeless veterans.
“The solution to homelessness lies in helping the neediest New Yorkers throughout New York State to recover their lives by providing them with safe, stable homes,” said Senator Golden in the letter. “By wisely investing in supportive housing, we can solve homelessness, improve our neighborhoods, and save tax dollars.”
The signers include:
Senator Amedore
Senator Akshar
Senator Avella
Senator Boyle
Senator Breslin
Senator Carlucci
Senator Croce
Senator Dilan
Senator Funke
Senator Gallivan
Senator Golden
Senator Griffo
Senator Hamilton
Senator Hassell-Thompson
Senator Holyman
Senator Kennedy
Senator Krueger
Senator Montgomery
Senator Ortt
Senator Persaud
Senator Rivera
Senator Robach
Senator Savino
Senator Squadron
Senator Young
Senator Stavisky
Earlier this year, 133 NYS Assembly members penned a similar letter to the Governor. Taken together the signers of the two letters calling on the Governor to support a robust statewide supportive housing program constitute 75% of the New York State Legislature.