Newsfeed Category: New York State

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.

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.

HCR is Hiring

Mar.18.2016

In anticipation of the passage of Governor Cuomo’s historic $10 billion proposal to create and preserve 100,000 affordable housing units across the state over five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is hiring and is looking to our community for excellent candidates.

Commissioner Jamie Rubin says “It is an exciting time at HCR. The Governor has made an unprecedented commitment in the Executive budget to housing. We are working feverishly to double down on programs that we already do and, where needed, to modify them to respond to the need across NY. The team at HCR is excellent—and committed to HCR’s core mission.  We look forward to expanding it.”

Right now, HCR is looking for a Downstate Development Director, an Upstate East Development Director, a Construction and Loan Specialist, an Underwriter, a Project Manager (NY & Albany) and a Multifamily Systems Specialist, but will be posting more openings in the near future (so keep going back to the site!).

HCR also offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement and family-friendly policies.

Andrew Cuomo Pledges to Create 20,000 Units of Supportive Housing Across NYS in Next 15 Years

Jan.14.2016

Yesterday Governor Andrew Cuomo committed to creating 20,000 units of supportive housing across New York State in the next fifteen years, an historic commitment of epic proportions. We are deeply grateful for this pledge and look forward to working closely with the legislature and the administration to ensure this commitment is realized.  

First Analysis of Governor’s Budget—Historic Commitment to Supportive Housing

Jan.14.2016

Governor Cuomo made an historic commitment to supportive housing yesterday in his State of the State address by committing to fund 20,000 units of supportive housing statewide over the next 15 years! This commitment, combined with that of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 15,000 units of supportive housing in New York City, means a combined pledge to creating 35,000 units of supportive housing in New York State, the largest commitment to supportive housing in the country. This historic commitment would not have been possible without your support and dedication. Your help in working with local stakeholders, the media, and participating in more than a year of sustained advocacy made this extraordinary achievement possible. Thank you!

Thunderclap Generates Over a Million Impressions

Jan.12.2016

On behalf of the Campaign for NY/NY Supportive Housing, the Network spearheaded a Thunderclap to call on Governor Cuomo for 35,000 new units of supportive housing statewide.

The Thunderclap, which took place at 1 pm on January 7, 2016, surpassed its original goal by nearly 400% and reached 388,694 people.  The Network's Sarah Schenck led this advocacy initiative, working with Giselle Routhier of Coalition for the Homeless, Marc Greenberg of the Interfaith Alliance and Carla Rabinowitz of Community Access, all of whom did a fabulous job leading the outreach.

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.

Cazenovia Recovery Systems of Buffalo Receives Award

Dec.14.2015

Cazenovia’s Lisa Kauffman (left) and Sue Bissonette (right) with Cadence Square’s Residence of the Year Award

Unfortunately, when the Network presented Cadence Square Apartments with the Residence of the Year Award, co-developer Cazenovia Recovery Systems of Buffalo could not be with us. We therefore presented their award to them in Buffalo on November 20th.

Cadence Square was also honored earlier this month by Governor Cuomo as one of  seven distinctive projects from around the state to receive a 2015 New York State Historic Preservation Award.

Beautiful Rochester View Apartments Opens

Dec.11.2015

Rochester View Apartments

DePaul Rochester recently opened Rochester View Apartments, a unique affordable and supportive housing residence that became New York State’s first apartment community to offer enhanced supports that accommodate tenants who may be deaf, hard of hearing and those using American Sign Language. The apartment complex features 60 apartments providing homes to a mix of hearing challenged individuals many of whom are struggling with mental illness.

Capital Dist. Elected Officials & Community Leaders Call on Gov. for 35,000 Supportive Housing Units

Dec.11.2015

Rocco DeFazio addresses the 33rd Annual Winter Walk for the HOmeless in Troy, NY

State Senator Neil Breslin (D- Albany), Assemblyman John T. McDonald III (D-Albany), and Lou Rosamilia, Mayor of Troy, and community leaders joined supportive housing residents from Joseph’s House & Shelter’s Hill Street residence in downtown Troy to urge Governor Cuomo to back 35,000 new units of supportive housing statewide. The event was held has a part of the 33rd Annual Winter Walk for the Homeless.