Newsfeed Category: New York State

New York State Budget Update

Apr.01.2015

The New York State SFY 2015-16 budget was passed early this morning, just a few hours after the April 1st deadline.  Most importantly the budget contains much good news for Network members continuing to build on several successful supportive housing initiatives. Unfortunately, the budget does not include a larger statewide supportive housing agreement. Over the next several weeks, the Network will begin a post-budget advocacy campaign for an expansion of the program.

Supportive Housing Providers Honored by the NY State Assembly

Mar.09.2015

Reverend Georgiette Morgan-Thomas of Goddard Riverside Community Center and Assembly Member Keith Wright.

The New York State Assembly honored outstanding supportive housing providers from around the state on March 3, 2015 as part of our second lobby day of the year, another joint effort with Homeless Services United.

Reverend Georgiette Morgan-Thomas of Goddard Riverside Community Center said, “it was an honor to represent those who cannot represent themselves yesterday; having witnessed the benefits of NY/NY I, II and III, I understand the necessity of NY/NY4, as well as the need to increase funding for services to our homeless population, and feel passionate about helping our legislators understand the need.  Being acknowledged and introduced to the entire Assembly for the work that I have done in housing was empowering and encouraging.” ​

The Network’s second Lobby Day of 2015 garners record turnout!

Mar.09.2015

Assembly Member Cathy Nolan with tenants and staff from Hour Children

The Network, along with Homeless Services United, brought a record group of 92 providers and tenants to Albany on March 3rd.  Our second lobby day was extremely productive – we had 42 meetings with legislators and staff.

The Network Lobbies in Albany

Feb.17.2015

Front row from left to right: The Network’s Edline Jacquet, Jeff Nemetsky –Brooklyn Housing & Community Services Inc., Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Samelys Lopez & Eric Herman –Common Ground. Back row from left to right: Kate Milkens – Lantern Community Services, Evelyn Rodriguez – BronxWorks, Janet Miller – CAMBA, Elizabeth Hoffman- Citizens’ Committee for Children of NY

The Network, along with HSU, brought a 75-person strong force to Albany on February 3rd to lobby for an expanded statewide NY/NY 4 agreement and budget increases for critical supportive housing and homelessness prevention programs. Here is a slideshow from the day -- feel free to share!

Schenectady Celebrates the Grand Opening of 845 Commons Residence

Feb.06.2015

Cutting the ribbon at 845 Commons residence in Schenectady

The Capital Region YMCA held a grand opening of the largest single site supportive housing residence west of the Hudson January 16th: 845 Commons in Schenectady.  This impressive project provides housing for 155 formerly homeless men, with a preference for both veterans and Schenectady County natives (all current tenants are from Schenectady County) as well as 25 apartments for individuals coping with a mental illness.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Appointees

Feb.06.2015

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new appointments to his administration on January 11, 2015, stating "this team will build on the extraordinary progress made over the last four years by bringing experience, energy and fresh perspectives to the table."

Governor Cuomo Announces a New Statewide NY/NY 4

Jan.20.2015

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch

The Supportive Housing Network of New York was honored to participate in Governor Cuomo's January 18th Press Conference announcing his 2015 Opportunity Agenda and ten point plan to combat poverty and fight inequality. 
 

Mario Cuomo’s Legacy

Jan.06.2015

Father John Felice, Governor Mario Cuomo, Richard Searls, Barbara Sabol, Mayor David Dinkins, Bill Jones, and Nancy Wackstein at the Historic Signing of the First NY/NY Agreement

Millions of New Yorkers are deeply saddened by the passing of the great Mario Cuomo, but we in the supportive housing community need to draw attention to one of his very greatest achievements as Governor: The New York/New York Agreement to House Homeless Mentally Ill Individuals.

Liberty Village Opens in Amityville, New York

Oct.06.2014

Senator Charles E. Schumer and partners gather to cut the ribbon at Liberty Village, a supportive
housing residence for veterans and their families. Photo courtesy of Concern for Independent Living.

The fight to end veteran homelessness got a big boost on September 29th with the opening of Liberty Village, in Amityville, NY, a new 60-unit supportive housing residence for veterans and their families from Concern for Independent Living. Headlining the event was long-time project champion Senator Charles E. Schumer, having presided over the project’s groundbreaking in October 2012.

"This is great news for Long Island veterans, who willingly risked life and limb for our country," said Senator Schumer. “We overcame many obstacles to get here, but now 60 vets and their families will thankfully be provided with a comfortable place to live. I'm thankful to Concern for Independent Living for seeing this project to fruition."

MC’ing the event was Concern Executive Director and Network Board member Ralph Fasano who pointed out that Liberty Village is the first project of its kind and required “unprecedented collaboration among Federal, state and local leaders.”

That collaboration was obvious from the speakers list. Darryl Towns spoke on behalf of NYS Homes and Community Renewal, in addition to representatives from the NYS Office of Mental Health, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the County of Suffolk, the Town of Babylon, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Local Initiative Support Corporation and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

Nat Conigiliaro, a veteran of the Korean War, said “I feel like it was made for me…I want to dig a hole and put all my animosity, my homelessness, my scars, and bury it…This place is like paradise, it’s home.”

“Anyone with a home has neighbors,” commented Sgt. Angel Romero.  “Here, at Liberty Village, I’m with my brothers and sisters.”

HCR Announces Medicaid Redesign Team Capital Funding

Jul.01.2014

NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR), acting through the Housing Trust Fund Corporation, has announced the funding availability of up to $25,000,000 in capital funds to expand supportive housing for high cost Medicaid populations throughout New York State.  Applications may be submitted between July 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015 or until all funds offered are committed.

HCR is seeking proposals from development teams that include service providers who have awards funded through the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Supportive Housing Allocation Plan, the NY/NY III Agreement or from other federal, state and municipal funding streams that provide social service funding for high need and high cost Medicaid recipients, to develop multifamily supportive rental housing projects either through new construction or the gut rehabilitation of vacant buildings.