Policy Priorities

The Network focuses on five major policy concerns in New York City. Through its Manhattan office, the Network strives to:

Preserve and protect supportive housing operations and service funds

In order to ensure tenants continue to receive the services they need to remain stably housed, the Network works with agency staff and elected officials to maintain operation and service funding levels.

Increase capital commitments to put NY/NY III development back on schedule

In 2006, New York City and New York State agreed to develop 9,000 units of supportive housing over 10 years as part of the NY/NY III agreement. While scattered-site units opened on schedule, development of new congregate housing is lagging behind. The Network is working with city and state capital funding agencies, developers and financial institutions to increase unit production to bring development back on track.

Lead the New York City Coalition on the Continuum of Care (NYCCCoC) and represent the supportive housing community

The NYCCCoC works to evaluate, manage and direct U.S. Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HUD) McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Grants throughout the city. The Network plays an active role to ensure that NYC is competitive in obtaining renewal and new federal funding for permanent supportive housing.

Reduce barriers to supportive housing development

Supportive housing developers face significant obstacles to development through the process: acquiring land, obtaining community support, securing financing, constructing buildings and negotiating the required inspections and approval process. The Network is engaged in a host of efforts to address each of these barriers to development.

Encourage the development of family supportive housing

As a result of budget constraints, development of family supportive housing under NY/NY III has ground to a halt. The Network is working to bring government and private funders together with providers to jumpstart development of desperately-needed supportive housing for families.