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.
Herkimer Street Residence Cuts the Ribbon
Feb.16.2016
Cutting the ribbon at Herkimer Street Residence.
Some 70 partners and well-wishers gathered in the community space at Herkimer Street Residence to celebrate the opening of the Bridge’s newest residence, home to a mix of formerly homeless individuals and young adults as well as low-income families. The beautiful new building is the Bridge’s largest residence to date and brings the total number of individuals/families housed to 863!
Continue Reading …Mayor de Blasio Releases His Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2017
Jan.25.2016
Last week, Mayor de Blasio released his preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2017. The $82.1 billion plan includes initial funding for the City’s 15,000 units of supportive housing over the next 15 years. The key areas impacting the supportive housing community include:
The Network Seeks a Director of Policy and Planning
Jan.22.2016
The Governor of New York State and Mayor of NYC recently committed to creating 35,000 units of supportive housing statewide, the majority of which will be developed in NYC. The Supportive Housing Network’s Director of Policy and Planning will 1) lead NYC policy and planning efforts to ensure these commitments are implemented in coordination with NYS; 2) work to identify and address barriers to implementation; 3) represent the Network and membership on key committees and task forces that further the mission; 4) provide ongoing support to members; and 5) provide active leadership in the NYC Continuum of Care.
Continue Reading …Mayor Announces Supportive Housing Task Force
Jan.13.2016
On January 12, Mayor Bill de Blasio visited Catholic Charities’ Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Residence to announce the formation of a Supportive Housing Task Force to help the city implement its plan to create 15,000 units of supportive housing over the next fifteen years. The Mayor was joined by HRA Commissioner Steve Banks, HPD Commissioner Vicki Been and many of the new task force members. The announcement is a momentous step forward in the preservation and development of supportive housing across New York.
Continue Reading …Widespread Call for a Robust NY/NY4 Agreement
Jan.07.2016
Major media from around New York State, and local media, continue to call on Governor Cuomo for 35,000 new units of supportive housing statewide to address the burgeoning crisis with chronic homelessness, particularly among the most vulnerable. These articles all appeared within the past month.
Continue Reading …Veteran Cadillac Man Finds a New Home After Decades on the St.: what a long strange trip it’s been
Dec.15.2015
Richard Gere embracing Cadillac at the NYC premiere of "Time Out of Mind;" Cadillac in his new apartment in Queens, with Loree Sutton, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs; Network's Cynthia Stuart and Sarah Schenck with Cadillac at the 2015 Supportive Housing Conference.
After nearly twenty years living on the street, Cadillac Man (aka Thomas Wagner), now 65, moved into a permanent home in Astoria, Queens, the first week of December, after a long saga dependent upon a series of serendipitous moments.
Continue Reading …Lynn’s Place Breaks Ground
Dec.14.2015
Lynn's Place breaks ground.
On December 1, Unique People Services broke ground in the Bronx for a new affordable and supportive housing project, Lynn’s Place, which will provide homes for a mix of formerly homeless individuals and low income families. Already five years in the making, the project is scheduled to open in the winter of 2017. The building will feature 69 units of housing, with 42 units of supportive housing for individuals with a mental illness and 27 units of affordable housing for individuals and families making less than 60% AMI. The development will also include community space on the ground floor, a sunken courtyard, a landscaped back yard and a green roof on the seventh floor.
Continue Reading …Rally Supporting NYC Council Resolution for 30,000 Unit NY/NY 4
Nov.25.2015
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Campaign 4 NYNY Housing rallyers
One day after Mayor de Blasio’s historic commitment to creating 15,000 units of supportive housing in New York City, the City Council held a hearing on a resolution calling on the City and State to negotiate a new NY/NY Agreement splitting the cost of creating 30,000 units. A press conference and rally that both celebrated the Mayor’s unprecedented commitment and encouraged the Governor to make a similar commitment preceded the hearing.
Continue Reading …Number of Supporters for 35,000 Units Keeps Growing
Nov.25.2015
Just in case you missed it:
The Network, as part of a diverse coalition including Republican and Democrat elected officials, faith leaders and more than 300 other organizations, has been advocating for a meaningful commitment to supportive housing statewide that meets the need. Support for the campaign has been extraordinary. On Monday, Senators Young and Amedore appeared on Capitol Tonight discussing their support of a 35,000 unit commitment, having been two of the 26 Republican and Democrat Senators who signed a letter to the Governor with the same message. Read more here.