Categories: Funding, New York State
05.15.2025
The FY 25-26 State Budget has passed on May 8th, 2025. The Network appreciates the support of our key advocacy priorities. Read our statement here.
The New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP): The program is receiving an additional $17.8 million - the largest increase in its nearly 40-year history. It represents a total increase to the program of up to 40%. While the increase falls short of the $32 million the Network sought -- and which the Legislature included – it is a significant win for the supportive housing community and is the first step to preserving some 9,000 NYSSHP units that are at risk of going offline.
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI): The budget increased ESSHI rates from $25,000 to $31,000 per unit in the balance of state and to $34,000 in the NYC metro area. This rate will be included in the next ESSHI RFP. This is the first rate increase since the program’s inception in 2016.
Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP): The program received a $25 million increase, up to $153 million. The Network and the Legislature had requested a doubling of HHAP’s budget from $128 million to $256 million.
Behavioral Health COLA at 2.6%: The legislature added a half percent to the Governor’s initial 2.1% COLA and contract adjustment, far short of the sector’s demand for 7.8%. This will cover most behavioral health programs, but doesn’t add NYSSHP to the eligible programs. Wages will be directly supported by $150-$400 checks for each household as part of the Governor’s Inflation Refund effort.
Here are some additional budget highlights:
Housing Plan/City of Yes: The budget continues to support the Governor’s affordable housing initiative and also invests $1 billion to support the NYC City of Yes plan
Housing Access Voucher Program Pilot: The budget provides $50 million for a four-year pilot of the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) that would provide rental assistance for individuals and families at 50% AMI or lower and experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of losing their housing.
Doubled New York State Low Income Housing Credits (SLIHC): The budget doubles the SLIHC budget from $15 million to $30 million per year through 2029.
Expanded New York State Historic Tax Credit: The budget changed and expanded the Historic Tax Credits – it both decoupled the credit from the federal credit and removed census tract eligibility requirements regarding affordable housing.
Shelter Arrears Eviction Forestallment (SAEF) (Aid to Localities): The budget included $10 million for SAEF to continue providing emergency rental assistance grants to localities outside of NYC.
Increase Access to Insurance Captives: The budget added $5 million in funding to support nonprofit affordable and supportive housing owners joining an insurance captive.
Daniel’s Law Task Force Recommendation: The final budget includes $2 million to establish a Behavioral Health Crisis Technical Assistance Center aimed at standardizing protocols for community-based, public health-led crisis response programs. Also included is $6 million for peer-led crisis response. This funding aligns with the recommendations made by the Daniel’s Law Task Force.