The Network Testifies at Charter Review Commission
Mar.05.2025
On March 4th, Network Executive Director Pascale Leone testified at the NYC Charter Review Commission on the need to review processes and policies surrounding the creation of much-needed supportive housing. She emphasized that certain procedures are adding years to the development process while failing to prioritize the City’s overall need to create housing for individuals and families experiencing long-term homelessness as quickly as possible. Specifically, she pointed to possible revisions of the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) process which typically adds one to two years to the time it takes to develop new affordable and supportive housing. Her testimony also included recommendations for coordinating systems that touch affordable housing development, wherein inspections and reviews can also add unnecessarily to the time it takes to build and open residences.
Continue Reading …Breaking Ground Hosts ‘Wallbreaking’ for 1760 Third Avenue
Feb.26.2025
Friends and partners gathered on February 25th for a “wallbreaking” for Breaking Ground’s latest project at 1760 Third Avenue. The newly rehabilitated building will provide 434 apartments for formerly homeless and low-income households, 261 of which are supportive including 40 for at-risk young adults. The building – on the Upper East Side of Manhattan – started life as a nursing home, then a dorm for students at Baruch and Hunter College and most recently a shelter for asylum seekers. Onsite services will be provided by Breaking Ground funded by the NYS Office of Mental Health and the NYC 15/15 Initiative through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Continue Reading …The Network Testifies at NYC Council General Welfare Hearing and NYS Joint Assembly and Senate Budget Hearing on Human Services
Feb.13.2025
On February 12th, Network Director of Policy, Tierra Labrada, testified at the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare HASA Oversight Hearing highlighting the challenges in the referral process, the lack of data transparency and the cost of inaction. On February 12th, Network Chief Policy Officer Rebecca Zangen testified at the New York State Senate and Assembly Joint Budget Hearing on Human Services to advocate for the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP).
Continue Reading …Unique People Services Breaks Ground on Ogden Theatre Apartments
Feb.03.2025
On January 31st, Unique People Services (UPS) joined project partners to break ground on Ogden Theatre Apartments. Once complete, this supportive/affordable residence will bring 85 affordable apartments, including 51 supportive, to the Highbridge section of the Bronx. The Ogden Theatre Apartments will be built on the site of a former movie theatre that was repurposed and turned into a bowling alley and church. Onsite services will be provided by Unique People under the NYC 15/15 Initiative funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Continue Reading …The Network’s Statement on the Upcoming 2025 Point-In-Time Count and the 2024 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Findings
Jan.27.2025
As volunteers across New York prepare this week to do the annual PIT Count – an unduplicated count of the people in their communities experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness – the Network calls on our state and city elected leaders to act boldly to curb the rising tide of homelessness.
Continue Reading …The Mayor’s FY26 Preliminary Budget
Jan.17.2025
On January 16th, Mayor Adams released the FY26 Preliminary Budget, which totals $114.5 billion, marking a $2 billion increase from the FY25 adopted budget. The Mayor highlighted the closure of a $5.5 billion budget gap and announced a $2.3 billion surplus carried forward from FY25 into FY26, alongside increased tax revenues of $3 billion projected across FY25 and FY26.
Continue Reading …New York City Council Passes “City of Yes”
Dec.09.2024
Yesterday, the New York City Council passed the “City of Yes For Housing Opportunity.” The final approved version includes critical negotiations from the Council’s “City for All” plan, which were negotiated last month when passing the NYC Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee of Land Use. A full summary of the modified proposal is available here. Read the Network's statement here.
Continue Reading …Samaritan Daytop Village Breaks Ground on Highbridge
Dec.06.2024
On a blustery December 5th, Samaritan Daytop Foundation and Samaritan Daytop Village (SDV) along with supporters and partners celebrated breaking ground on Highbridge, a 316-unit supportive/affordable building alongside a 106-unit family shelter. Highbridge is SDV’s first new construction fully supportive residence with 190 supportive units for individuals and families and 125 affordable apartments. Samaritan Daytop Village will provide onsite supportive services to tenants under the NYC 15/15 Initiative funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Continue Reading …The Doe Fund Opens The Plains
Nov.25.2024
On November 22nd, The Doe Fund joined project partners and elected officials to celebrate the opening of The Plains in the Bronx. The new supportive/affordable residence has created 98 affordable apartments, including 49 supportive for individuals with histories of chronic homelessness with 20 of those reserved for seniors. On-site support services are provided by The Doe Fund funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) administered by the New York State Department of Health.
Continue Reading …Concern Housing Opens St. James Terrace
Oct.30.2024
On October 29th, friends, staff and partners gathered to celebrate the opening of Concern Housing’s St. James Terrace, a supportive/affordable building adjacent to the historic St. James Church in the Fordham district of the Bronx. The new residence provides 102 affordable apartments, 51 of which are supportive. Onsite services are provided by Concern Housing and funded by the Office of Mental Health through the state’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
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