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.
Continue Reading …HCR Releases 9% Multifamily and Project Based Voucher RFPs
Sep.25.2023
New York State Homes and Community Renewal has released the 9% Multifamily Request for Proposals, available here. This package of tax credits and subsidy is a key source of capital for supportive housing. This year, HCR returns to an annual RFP process after several years of bi-annual applications. Also new: a LGBTQ+ Affirming Senior Housing Program that may be used with an ESSHI Senior component.
Continue Reading …RUPCO Opens East End II
Sep.07.2023
On September 6th, RUPCO hosted a ribbon cutting for their East End II project in Newburgh. The $36 million project includes 24 building sites in a seven-block radius, comprising 61 mixed-income homes. 10 of the homes are funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) and are set aside for people living with Substance Use Disorder and youth and adults re-entering the community from incarceration. The scattered site development centers around the adaptive reuse of the historic United Methodist Church into a vibrant community center called Highpoint, which will be managed by the Newburgh-based nonprofit LYNC.
Continue Reading …Christopher Community and Crouse Community Break Ground on Community View Apartments
Aug.23.2023
On August 22nd, Christopher Community held a groundbreaking ceremony for Community View Apartments, an affordable/supportive housing project in Morrisville, New York. This 61-unit building has 20 units set aside for ESSHI seniors, with services provided by Crouse Community Health Care. Services will be funded by the NYS Department of Health and will include home aides, day programs, social activities and nutritional counselling.
Continue Reading …New News from OMH
Aug.02.2023
OMH has added two new features to its website, that we want to highlight:
Continue Reading …New OMH Rates
Aug.01.2023
The recently passed New York State budget included increases for Office of Mental Health-funded residential programs including scattered site. These rates include both the second year of enhancements and the additional 4% COLA and went into effect April 1, 2023. Rates for OMH scattered site are highest in NYC, rising by $2,751/unit to $27,372/year. Note that for NYC direct contracts, the rate increases should be added to your new contract.
Continue Reading …Governor Hochul Announces More Than $20 Million For Supportive Housing Projects
May.03.2023
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance approved over $20 million in Homeless Housing Assistance Program for housing projects in the New York City region to four permanent supportive housing projects.
Continue Reading …2023-24 State Budget Passes
May.03.2023
The New York State FY 2024 budget passed May 3rd, one month past the deadline of April 1st. It continues the state's full commitment to the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, a 15-year plan to develop 20,000 units of supportive housing. The budget also continues funding for year two of the five-year affordable housing plan to create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes – including funds to preserve supportive housing.
Continue Reading …The Network’s Statement on the Conceptual State Budget
Apr.28.2023
The governor and state lawmakers have missed an important opportunity to address the mounting crisis in the state’s supportive housing system, failing to invest in sorely needed funding to shore up an aging housing infrastructure and programs that are stretched to the limit.
Continue Reading …