City Council Response to the Mayor’s FY25 Preliminary Budget
Apr.02.2024
On April 1st, 2024 the City Council released its response to the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget and Preliminary Mayor’s Management Plan (the Response). Overall, the Response built upon the Council's contention that the Administration has overestimated costs and underestimated revenues. The Council asserts that there is an additional $6.15 billion available for Fiscal 2025 in a combination of additional revenue and potential underspending. The Response puts forth a series of proposals for this previously unidentified funding.
Continue Reading …Correct Crisis Intervention Today (CCIT)-NYC Hosts a Legislative Breakfast and Rally
Mar.22.2024
The Network joined Correct Crisis Intervention Today (CCIT) – NYC on Tuesday, March 19th for, Peers, Policy and Pancakes, a legislative briefing for City elected officials and staff and on Thursday, March 21st for Mental Health Care Not Criminalization Rally in advance of the Mental Health Preliminary Budget Hearing.
Continue Reading …Community Access Opens River Avenue
Mar.20.2024
On the sunny first day of spring – March 19th – friends, staff, elected officials, and supporters gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of River Avenue, Community Access’ newest supportive and affordable residence in the Concourse section of the Bronx. River Avenue has 245 apartments, a mix of studios, one, two- and three-bedrooms, 148 of which are supportive for individuals and families living with mental health concerns. On-site services are funded by OMH under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
Continue Reading …The Network Testifies at Three City Council Preliminary Budget Hearings
Mar.18.2024
On March 11th Network Associate Director of Advocacy Tierra Labrada testified at the City Council General Welfare Preliminary Budget Hearing and Network Executive Director Pascale Leone testified at the City Council Housing and Buildings Preliminary Budget Hearing. Both testimonies focused on improving the NYC 15/15 initiative, #JustPay for the human services workforce and fully staffing critical city agencies associated with developing and operating supportive housing. The Network stressed that the NYC 15/15 Initiative is falling short of its goal to create 15,000 units by 2030 due to its reliance on the scattered site model and urged the Council to support the adoption of the Network’s NYC 15/15 Reallocation Plan.
Continue Reading …HELP USA and HELPDevCo Open HELP ONE Buildings A and B
Mar.15.2024
On a sunny spring March 14th, HELP USA and HELPDevCo joined elected officials and project partners to celebrate the opening of HELP ONE buildings A and B in East New York, Brooklyn. These two new affordable and supportive housing residences are creating 255 new apartments, 154 of which are supportive for young adult families and individuals who have experienced homelessness. Support services will be provided by HELP USA funded by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) through NYC 15/15.
Continue Reading …VIP Community Services Opens Ruiz Butter House
Mar.13.2024
On the afternoon of March 12th, friends and partners gathered to celebrate the opening of VIP Community Services’ Ruiz Butter House, a new supportive/affordable building providing 78 new affordable apartments on 1899 Crotona Avenue in the Bronx, 65 of which are supportive. Services and operations will be provided by VIP Community Services and funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Continue Reading …Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities Opens Helen M. Marshall Manor
Feb.05.2024
On the rainy morning of February 2nd, Elmcor leadership, staff and tenants joined elected officials and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Helen M. Marshall Manor in Corona, Queens. This new affordable and supportive residence is creating 30 apartments:
Mayor Adams Releases FY 2025 Preliminary Budget
Jan.18.2024
On January 16th, Mayor Adams released the FY 25 Preliminary Budget, totaling $109.4 billion-- $2 billion less than the current fiscal year.
Continue Reading …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.
Continue Reading …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).
Continue Reading …