Newsfeed Category: New York State

Network Hosts HCR and Legal Aid Society For Session on Recent Rent Law Reforms

Nov.26.2019

This past month, the Network held a convening for NYC scattered site providers to learn about how the recently passed rent law reforms will impact nonprofit providers and tenants living in scattered site apartments.

Gov. Cuomo Announces Conditional Awards of ESSHI Round Four

Nov.18.2019

On November 18th, Governor Cuomo announced the fourth round of conditional awards for the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). The awards went to 108 nonprofit agencies totaling 161 projects across the state. Seventy-five percent of the recipients are members of the Supportive Housing Network of NY.

The Network Celebrates Supportive Housing Heroes at 2019 Awards Gala

Oct.24.2019

On October 23rd, the supportive housing community came out for a fabulous party, dedicated to looking back at our proudest moments over the year and honoring our greatest advocates.

Over 600 people filled the grand Capitale in New York City to reconnect and meet new colleagues in a festive environment. Attendees saw themselves on the big screen with a slideshow displaying a year’s worth of events, groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, and more. The evening was also for honoring key individuals with awards that recognized their enormous role in protecting vulnerable New Yorkers through supportive housing.

NYS HCR Releases the 2019 Multifamily Finance 9% RFP

Oct.11.2019

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) released its Multifamily Finance 9% Request for Proposals (RFP), through which applicants may apply for funding for the new construction, rehabilitation, and/or adaptive reuse of site-specific projects that provide multifamily rental housing.

U.S. HUD Releases NOFA for Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Oct.10.2019

On October 9th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released twin Notices of Funding Availability for the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. Both are due on February 10th, 2020.

Home Leasing Opens Charlotte Square on the Loop in Rochester

Oct.01.2019

On Sept. 24th, Home Leasing hosted a ribbon-cutting with nonprofit partner Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach (SCPO) to celebrate the opening of  Charlotte Square on the Loop in Rochester, joined by over 100 community members including local elected officials and community supporters, and. Through Spiritus Christi, the 50-unit affordable/supportive residence for individuals and families includes eight units specifically for justice-involved individuals.

How Does New Rent Stabilization Law Affect Scattered Site Supportive Housing? Q&A

Sep.26.2019

Tenant Stabilization and Protection Act, Part J

Rent Stabilization and Scattered Site Supportive Housing

What are the changes to the rent stabilization laws that impact scattered site supportive housing?

Following a realignment of the State legislature last year, lawmakers in Albany passed historic and sweeping rent law reforms. One part of the new laws will affect tenants in scattered site supportive housing units: Part J. That part of the new rent laws eliminates the previous exemption for supportive housing providers from rent stabilization protections. It also makes clear that both the tenant occupant and the nonprofit that secured the unit are tenants; so if the apartment is rent regulated, both parties are protected as rent regulated tenants.

What rights are now afforded to nonprofit providers, and what rights are afforded to tenant occupants?

As rent-regulated tenants, providers and their clients both have rights that promote stability and long-term tenancies. Tenants can only be evicted for cause, such as if they don’t pay the rent, or if they create a nuisance. When a lease expires, landlords of rent-regulated units are required to offer tenants renewal leases with rent increases limited by the annual orders of the City’s Rent Guidelines Board. Landlords cannot reduce the building services provided to tenants.

NYS Releases RFP for 4th Round of ESSHI Funding

Aug.19.2019

On August 16th, New York State released the fourth-round Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) Request for Proposals (RFP), due on September 25, 2019. The State is issuing this RFP to advance the five-year goal of developing 6,000 units of supportive housing over five years. Funding for at least 1,200 qualifying individuals will be awarded through this RFP.

Guest Blog: Bring It Home Campaign Advocates for Mental Health Housing

Jul.25.2019

By Toni Lasicki, Executive Director of Association for Community Living

This year’s final state budget, passed in April, included a small amount of funding for Office of Mental Health (OMH) housing rate increases and rehab and renovation of existing housing stock. While appreciated, we know it is not nearly enough to address years of disinvestment of the system, which needs a much larger infusion of resources to remain viable. 

Therefore, at the end of the 2019 Legislative Session in June, the Assembly and Senate unanimously passed the “Mental Health Housing Commission Bill” (S5637/A7489) to create a temporary Office of Mental Health Housing Program Evaluation Commission. This commission would make determinations and recommendations regarding OMH mental health housing on the adequacy of funding levels, numbers of direct care and professional staff, the level of programmatic needs of the residents, and the ability of the programs to meet such needs. These programs have not been evaluated, nor has the acuity of the clients in their care been evaluated, in more than 30 years.

FY 2020 City Budget Highlights

Jun.26.2019

Ahead of the July 1st start of the City’s Fiscal Year 2020, the Mayor and City Council reached a handshake deal on a budget of $92.8 billion on June 14th.

While there were some victories for housing and human services, the budget fails to provide funding for two critical priorities championed by the Network and our partners.