HCR 9% Multifamily Awards Announced
Mar.27.2024
New York State Homes and Community Renewal recently announced the fall 2023 9% Multifamily Awards. Supportive Housing projects featured prominently this year, 17 out of the 29 (59%) projects have ESSHI supportive housing units. Supportive housing units accounted for over 25% of the total funded units (468/1852).
Continue Reading …ESSHI Conditional Awards Announced
Mar.05.2024
On February 2nd, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the eighth round of conditional Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) awards comprised of 22 proposed projects, with 4,839 supportive units.
Continue Reading …The Network Meets with Over 50 Legislators in Albany
Feb.29.2024
Over 140 supportive housing staff and tenants traveled to Albany on February 28th to call on the Governor and the Legislature to ensure the state commits to saving first generation supportive housing funded by the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) and investing in the supportive housing workforce, starting by including a 3.2% COLA for direct service workers in the SFY 2024-25 budget expected to be passed shortly.
Continue Reading …The Network Testifies at the New York State Senate and Assembly Joint Budget Hearing on Human Services
Feb.01.2024
On January 31st Network State Advocacy Manager Steve Piasecki testified at the New York State Senate Assembly Joint Budget Hearing on Human Services to advocate for the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP). Steve stressed that NYSSHP has been left behind, providing annual service funding of just $2,964 for individuals and $3,900 for families, virtually the same per unit rate as when it began nearly 40 years ago and compared that to its successor the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), which allocates up to $25,000 per unit to cover both social services and rental assistance.
Continue Reading …Governor Hochul Releases SFY 2025 Executive Budget
Jan.17.2024
The Governor released the SFY 2025 Executive Budget on January 16th, totaling $233 billion (a 4.5% increase in spending). The Network is continuing to review the details and will follow up as any additional information is revealed.
Continue Reading …The Network’s Statement in Response to Governor Hochul’s FY 2024-2025 Proposed Executive Budget
Jan.16.2024
While we recognize the state’s fiscal constraints and appreciate Governor Hochul’s commitment of critical resources to address the mounting mental health crisis, we are disappointed that her proposed spending plan overlooks the significant role supportive housing plays in protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
Continue Reading …The Network’s Statement in Response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State Speech
Jan.11.2024
Governor Hochul’s continued recognition of the urgent need to address New York’s housing shortage and intensifying behavioral health crisis with increased resources and attention is yet another sign that she is serious about solving the challenges that matter most to New Yorkers. However, if she is going to meaningfully solve either, it’s essential that she prioritize a sector not explicitly mentioned in her State of the State Address: supportive housing.
Continue Reading …SROs Now Eligible For HCR’s Supportive Housing Preservation Program
Jan.04.2024
The Network is pleased to report that Governor Hochul and New York State Homes and Community Renewal have clarified that Single Room Occupancy supportive housing residences are eligible for the state’s Supportive Housing Preservation Program. $50 million in capital will be specifically dedicated to this effort. This funding may be used to upgrade SRO housing into studio apartments if practical. If not, a waiver of the design guidelines may be requested. The Network urges our members with this type of housing to check out the term sheet.
Continue Reading …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.
Continue Reading …2023 Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative RFP Released
Oct.11.2023
The Network is pleased to let you know that the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP) has been released.
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