Newsfeed Category: New York State

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.

2019 NYS Legislative Session Highlights

Jun.24.2019

There were a number of bills for which the Network was advocating and following at the end of this year’s legislative session including rent regulation, prevailing wage, and two Office of Mental Health housing bills.

Syracuse Gains 30 New Supportive Housing Units Through Catherine Street Apartments

Jun.21.2019

On May 22nd, an array of partners and supporters gathered in Syracuse to celebrate the opening of Catherine Street Apartments, a 50-unit building with 30 reserved for individuals with mental health disorders. The apartments were developed through a partnership between Network members Central New York Services, Inc. (CNYS) and CSD Housing, development consultants.

NYS HCR Announces 2018 Unified Funding Awards

May.30.2019

On May 17th, NYS HCR announced its 2018 Unified Funding Awards. In addition to the three supportive housing projects funded in the early round announced in January, there were 15 projects awarded in the regular round, bringing the total number of supportive housing units to 484 — 22% of the total residential units funded. Network members are involved in 14 separate projects across the state.

The Network Testifies to NYS Legislature on Rent Regulations for Scattered Site Supportive Housing

May.03.2019

On May 2nd, Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch provided testimony at the New York State Assembly’s Committee on Housing’s public hearing on rent-regulated housing. While thanking Assemblymembers Latoya Joyner and Steven Cymbrowitz for advancing Bill No. A07115, which would provide rent stabilization provisions to nonprofit housing providers’ new scattered site supportive housing units, she encouraged the sponsors to accept a friendly amendment to the bill that would extend the protections to the 14,000 existing scattered-site units and formerly homeless disabled families and individuals currently living there.

The Network Gathers to Celebrate the Past Year in Supportive Housing

Apr.24.2019

On April 11th, the Network joined the supportive housing community for its Annual Meeting. An open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and images of supportive housing buildings newly opened in the last year set the scene for lively conversation with familiar and new faces. The group was able to hear from Senator Brian Kavanagh, Network Board Chair Brenda Rosen, Executive Director Laura Mascuch, and Network Board Treasurer Ralph Fasano.