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New York State SFY 2016-17 Budget PASSES - Major Supportive Housing Investment Included
Apr.01.2016
The New York State SFY 2016-17 budget passed on April 1st. While much of the public debate this year was focused on a minimum wage increase, paid family leave, and shifts in Medicaid costs, there are several areas of the budget that will impact the supportive housing community in the upcoming year. Budget highlights of particular interest include:
Staten Island Mental Health Council Hosts Community and Legislative Priorities Breakfast
Mar.21.2016
Left to right: Dr. Ginny Mantello, Borough Director of Health and Wellness; Assembly Member Mike Cusick; Larry Hochwald, Co-Chair of the Staten Island Mental Health Council; Linda Wilson Executive Director of NAMI-Staten Island Chapter; the Network's Executive Director Laura Mascuch; District Attorney Michael McMahon; and Terry Troia, Project Hospitality.
In the wake of the City and State’s recent commitments to creating 35,000 units of supportive housing over the next 15 years, Project Hospitality Executive Director Terry Troia invited Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch to present on supportive housing to this year’s Annual Staten Island Mental Health Council’s Community and Legislative Priorities Breakfast on Friday, March 4th. Some 200 stakeholders discussed the Council’s agenda next year which will focus on the importance of creating supportive housing for homeless Staten Islanders struggling with mental illness; the need for funding for children’s mental health services; the need for employment support for Island residents living with mental illness.
Network/HSU Lobby Day and State Budget Update
Mar.18.2016
Network members, tenants & staff meet with Senator Martin Malave Dilan (left) and Senator Frank Skartados (right).
Over 100 Network members came to Albany on March 8th to call on the Legislature to ensure that the state commits adequate resources towards the first phase of the Governor’s plan to build 20,000 units of supportive housing statewide over 15 years. We met with over ninety legislators and staff to ask for support for both this new supportive housing program while also advocating for critically important existing services and housing programs currently serving formerly homeless individuals and families.
Bill Hobson Tribute
Mar.18.2016
Bill Hobson of Seattle’s Downtown Emergency Service Center.
Deputy Director at the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Richard Cho remembers supportive housing champion Bill Hobson. Richard and Bill presented on Housing First at the Network’s 2007 Conference.
On March 4, 2016, Bill Hobson, retired Executive Director of Seattle’s Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC), passed away in his home at the age of 76, survived by his family and the legacy of having proven beyond all reasonable doubt that anyone, no matter how ill or troubled, can achieve a new life in a home of their own.
Tax Program Crackdown Spurs $10 Million for Affordable/Supportive Housing
Mar.18.2016
On March 10th, at Institute for Community Living’s (ICL) Stepping Stone residence in Brooklyn, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that $10 million in settlement fees from abuses of 421A will be invested in affordable housing including 600 units of supportive and senior housing citywide. In 2014, the Attorney General led an investigation into the abuse of tax incentive programs, leading to restitutions from 23 landlords who have failed to provide rent-regulated leases, violated tenant rights laws and denied service workers the required wages. Restitution will be spent on supportive housing for veterans, seniors, low-income families and the formerly homeless.