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The Racial Equity in Supportive Housing Workgroup Celebrates Second Readying Emerging Leaders in Supportive Housing Cohort Graduation
Dec.18.2023
On December 15th, the Racial Equity in Supportive Housing (RESH) Workgroup celebrated the second Readying Emerging Leaders in Supportive Housing (RELISH) Cohort Graduation ceremony at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. The 24-week RELISH mentorship program was created in 2022 by RESH, a volunteer affinity group made up of Black leaders at half a dozen nonprofit organizations. RESH’s mission is to advocate for policies and practices that advance racial and wage equity and improve the quality of life for Black people connected to the supportive housing sector.
The Network Testifies at New York State Assembly Hearing on Housing
Dec.18.2023
On December 18th, the Network’s Executive Director Pascale Leone testified at the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Housing to advocate for modernizing the 30+-year old New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) whose rates have remained essentially the same since inception. Pascale explained that the chronic underfunding of NYSSHP has left 9,000 units of supportive housing at risk and proposed the simple solution of converting these units to New York State’s better-funded Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) through a five-year, phased-in approach. This plan would eventually create fiscal parity among supportive housing units across New York.
The Network Testifies at Two NYC Council Hearings
Dec.12.2023
On December 7th, the Network’s Associate Director of Engagement and Communications Joelle Ballam-Schwan testified at the City Council oversight hearing on supportive housing held jointly by the Committees on General Welfare; Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction; Housing and Buildings; and Veterans. Joelle joined nonprofits in opposing the remaining 10% of Mayor Adams’ 15% proposed budget cuts; urged the city to adopt the Network’s NYC 15/15 reallocation plan; advocated that the city #JustPay the human services workforce and fund an annual COLA; and that the city expand supportive housing opportunities for those leaving jail/prison and survivors of domestic violence. Read the full testimony here.
CAMBA Housing Ventures and CAMBA Break Ground on Clarkson Estates
Dec.06.2023
On December 5th partners, funders, staff, and friends gathered under a tent on the grounds of what will be CAMBA Housing Ventures/CAMBA’s Clarkson Estates in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, to break ground on the project which is part of the State’s Vital Brooklyn initiative. Once complete, this project will provide 328 units of permanently affordable and supportive housing with 50% of the units (164 units) set aside for formerly homeless populations, including youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated individuals, formerly homeless young adults, and formerly homeless families. The other 163 units will serve low-income individuals at 30%, 40%, 50%, and 70% area median income (AMI), with one unit set aside for a live-in superintendent. Clarkson Estates will feature more than 30,000 square feet of community facility space and nearly 15,000 square feet of parking as requested through community input. Services and rental subsidy are funded by the New York State Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) contracted through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
October November Community Corner
Nov.30.2023
The first supportive housing built to serve homeless Native Americans opened in 1996 in Minneapolis MN: Anishinabe Wakiagun – The People’s Home. The 45-unit four story apartment building serves native people struggling with substance use disorder.