Newsfeed Category: New York State

Renowned Medical Journal Endorses New York Supportive Housing

Dec.19.2013

The New England Journal of Medicine has just published a think piece on New York’s efforts to reform Medicaid through supportive housing.

Citing numerous studies, the piece argues that investments in social service programs, including supportive housing, can decrease the amount a society spends on healthcare. The article offers the latest example of an emerging consensus: that supportive housing is healthcare. It was written by three esteemed figures in the field: NYS Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah, NYS Office of Health Insurance Programs Deputy Director Elizabeth Misa and Dr. Kelly Doran of New York University. You can read their perspective here.

The authors stress that supportive housing achieves multiple goals for New York State. Our model helps reduce healthcare costs, improves the quality of care for individuals on Medicaid and improves the overall health of these individuals. On the cost-savings front, the authors lay out a clear argument on the benefits of supportive housing:

"New York Medicaid payments for nursing-facility stays are $217 per day, as compared with costs of $50 to $70 per day for supportive housing. Furthermore, preventing even a few inpatient hospitalizations, at $2,219 per day, could pay for many days of supportive housing […] Studies have shown that the costs of supportive housing are largely offset by resultant savings in services used, mostly from reduced use of the health care system. Some studies of high-risk patients have found that savings exceeded the costs of providing housing, thus yielding a net positive return on investment."

We strongly urge you to read and share this emphatic endorsement of supportive housing!

HUD Announces Continuum of Care NOFA

Dec.05.2013

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has opened the competition for Continuum of Care (CoC) funding for the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years. New York State’s 25 CoCs must each submit a comprehensive application by February 3, 2014. Providers must submit their project applications in e-snaps at least 30 days prior to this. You can read the HUD Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) here.

Unlike previous applications, the recently-released community application spans two years: FY 2013 and 2014. This move will allow HUD to get its application process back on track and hopefully avoid cutting funding for renewal projects, as is happening in this round. It is also a strong indication that there will likely be no new funding to address homelessness for the foreseeable future.

This application includes a number of other noteworthy changes from prior years. Chief among them is the stipulation that the only way to create a new project is through reallocation of existing funding. This is due to sequestration, which has eliminated any funding for bonus projects this year. HUD further stipulated that new (reallocated) project funding can only be used for supportive housing for people who are chronically homeless or rapid rehousing for families.

HUD has also required CoCs to create two tiers of projects -- the second tier being the list of projects that will likely get defunded due to sequestration. Like other HUD programs, CoCs are being told to plan for a 5% reduction in funding. In New York City alone, that is a loss of nearly $6 million, affecting housing and services for over 1,200 homeless individuals and families.

Other noteworthy changes in the NOFA include:

Notice: MRT HHAP Funding Still Available

Nov.14.2013

Reminder: The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has $13.2 million still available to fund supportive housing projects through its Medicaid Redesign Team Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (MRT HHAP). This program, like the original HHAP program, provides grants and loans to acquire, construct and rehabilitate housing for persons who are or would otherwise be homeless. You can read the recently-updated Request for Proposals (RFP) here.

Projects eligible for MRT HHAP funds must provide permanent supportive housing to homeless single individuals. Tenants must also exhibit conditions or histories recognized to be associated with high Medicaid usage and be located in the Upstate and suburban metropolitan regions of New York. Examples of eligible populations include, but are not limited to, people who have experienced chronic homelessness, physical disability, mental illness, substance abuse and/or other disabling conditions.

OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation (HHAC) will determine a project’s eligibility for this funding. Factors such as the population served, the support services offered and the location of the residence will determine eligibility.

Nonprofit organizations and their charitable organizations, municipalities and public housing authorities are eligible for this funding. This is an open-ended RFP, meaning OTDA will accept proposals on a continuous basis until funds are no longer available or this methodology no longer serves a purpose for HHAC.

Gala Honoree: Hill Street Inn

Oct.15.2013

Click here on tickets for information to our Gala!

Hill Street Inn is a standout on any number of levels: It suffered (and survived) one of the worst not-in-my-backyard battles in our community’s history; it provides homes to 20 individuals, most of whom never imagined they’d be living indoors much less have a beautiful home of their own; and it provides a gorgeous new resource for the Troy community. 

Hill Street Inn is emblematic of what supportive housing is all about: It has fostered a community within the residence and bolstered the community surrounding it.

For Joseph’s House and Shelter, the road has been a long one. The organization overcame neighborhood opposition and two lawsuits to build Hill Street Inn over the course of seven years. Now, with the building’s unqualified success as a safe, inviting addition to Troy, the initial pushback seems like a dim memory.

“We’re proud of this program for a lot of reasons,” says Kevin O’Connor, Executive Director of Joseph’s House. “The housing-first model works. Plus the building is beautiful and is really becoming a center for the community.”

Gala Honoree: Shannon McEachern

Oct.11.2013

Click here for information on tickets to our Gala!

Before she even turned 30, Shannon McEachern had experienced life on the streets in New York, California, Colorado, Arizona, North Carolina and Florida.

Ms. McEachern had no home and suffered from an unshakeable drug addiction. Across the country, friends offered her bus tickets and a place to stay. Each city held the promise of a new beginning. But with each city, the same drama unfolded: Her friends couldn’t live with the drug use, and so Ms. McEachern found herself roaming the streets, suitcase by her side, asking strangers for shelter. She’d steal cash for food and sleep in abandoned buildings. A Binghamton native, Ms. McEachern lived this nomadic life for 10 long years.

Those years, thankfully, are over. In 2012, Ms. McEachern moved into supportive housing from the YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County. She has since gotten clean, become a community volunteer and grown into an all-star housing advocate. 

“I stand in awe of Shannon,” says YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County Executive Director Carole Coppens. “Many of us with far more privilege don’t have the courage that this woman has.”

Ms. McEachern has blossomed into a capable, inspiring adult. She now meets with a case manager and vocational counselor to develop her newfound sense of confidence. She holds a part-time job at a local library and is working toward going to college for the first time.

State Issues Press Release on MRT Supportive Housing Initiative

Sep.17.2013

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release last week on New York’s efforts to house high-cost Medicaid users through the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Supportive Housing Initiative. 

The press release, available here, provides details on the $46.7 million in capital funding that the state has already awarded through the program. This funding will help develop 483 new units of supportive housing in 12 residences across the state. 

The press release includes a quote from Jason Helgerson, New York State’s Medicaid Director and the soon-to-be recipient of the Government Partner of the Year award at our Awards Gala on October 16.

“There is compelling evidence, both in New York and nationally, that for people coping with chronic illness or disability and behavioral health challenges, the lack of stable housing often results in avoidable health care utilization and, in turn, avoidable Medicaid expenses,” Mr. Helgerson said. “There is a growing national recognition that addressing the social determinants of health is critical for improving health while reducing health care costs. This is most evident in the matter of housing.”

Congratulations to the Network members who’ve received awards:

Gov. Cuomo Announces $22.2 Million in HHAP Awards

Aug.27.2013

Governor Cuomo has announced $22.2 million in capital funding awards to develop seven new housing programs across New York State. Six of the awards will aid the construction of supportive housing residences. The grants, administered through the NYS Office of Temporary Disability and Assistance (OTDA)’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), will help create 469 units of supportive housing in Albany, Bronx, Kings, Monroe and Westchester Counties.

“Supportive housing is essential to breaking the cycle of homelessness for New York’s most vulnerable individuals and families,” Governor Cuomo said. “Increasing the supply of supportive housing units not only provides vital assistance to New Yorkers in need, but also improves the efficiency of Medicaid by reducing emergency room visits, hospitalizations and lengths of stay in long-term care facilities.”

All six supportive housing projects are being developed by Network members: CAMBA Housing Ventures, Concern for Independent Living, DePaul Properties, New Destiny Housing, Westhab and Support Ministries. The supportive housing awards range from $1.1 million to $6 million. 

Among the awardees was Concern’s Norwood Terrace, a Bronx-based project expected for completion in 2016. 

Deal Reached on Adult Home Residents

Jul.26.2013

After nearly a decade of litigation, New York State announced on July 23 that it has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice to provide the opportunity for 4,000 mentally ill people living in adult homes to move into OMH-funded scattered-site Supported Housing or other housing that is the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual. 

Under a consent decree, the state will offer assessments to at least 2,500 residents of 23 large adult homes in New York City. This process will determine whether residents are capable of moving into supported housing or other housing that's most appropriate for that individual. As part of the decision, the state agreed to create and subsidize at least 2,000 new scattered-site Supported Housing units to meet the expected increase in demand.

Health Homes or Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plans will perform comprehensive assessments of the residents' physical and behavioral health needs. They'll also work with individuals to arrange for needed services and recommend the appropriate housing options.

Executive Order 38 Guidelines Released

Jul.12.2013

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order last year to rein in excessive compensation for New York State-funded entities. This order, known as Executive Order 38, became effective last month. The State has now released guidelines and forms for complying with the order, which you can find here.

Compensation paid to executives and reimbursed by State agencies cannot exceed $199,000 per year for organizations covered by Executive Order 38. Reimbursed administrative overhead costs are limited to 25% of State funding; this number decreases to 15% by 2015.

If you believe your agency must comply with these new guidelines, we encourage you to visit the Executive Order 38 website. You can find additional guidance from this document from the Human Services Council and this brief from the Lawyers Alliance for New York.

OMH Releases Plan to Consolidate State-Run Psychiatric Hospitals

Jul.11.2013

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) released its Regional Centers of Excellence Plan on July 10. The plan, available here, will consolidate New York's 24 State-run psychiatric hospitals and establish 15 Regional Centers of Excellence (RCE) across New York over the next three years.

RCEs will serve as networks for inpatient and community-based services. Each RCE will have a specialized inpatient hospital program located at its center along with geographically dispersed community service "hubs" to oversee state-operated, community-based services throughout the region.

State-run psychiatric facilities will close in a number of regions: St. Lawrence, Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester, Mid Hudson, Sagamore, Manhattan and Western NY Children's PCs. St. Lawrence, Binghamton, Elmira and Rochester will continue to provide outpatient services in the community as they do now.

For a list of all 15 RCEs that OMH will operate after the three-year transition process, see page five of this document.