Categories: New York State
01.10.2014
Speech includes notes on housing, reentry, nonprofit sector
Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his fourth State of the State address in Albany earlier this week. While the governor focused much of the address on tax relief and other economic issues, there was some news of interest to the supportive housing community.
Governor Cuomo’s speech affirmed the continuation of the House NY plan with a $100 million commitment for affordable housing. This funding will create and preserve 3,500 units of affordable housing across the state. For renters earning less that $100,000, the governor also proposed a renters’ tax credit. This policy could help prevent homelessness if it takes into account high-rent burdens, particularly for extremely low-income families. The governor also renewed his commitment to streamline the grant reimbursement process for nonprofits through the Grants Gateway program.
In light of New York’s declining prison population, the governor proposed the creation of a re-entry council to help avoid recidivism through job training and other social support services. The governor would direct $15 million to this effort. The Network will advocate for the inclusion of a supportive housing strategy as part of this initiative.
Lastly, the governor thanked US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan for his leadership on the Sandy recovery efforts. The governor's plan proposes funding to help rebuild housing in storm-damaged areas.
For more details, as well as the status of all programs that create and sustain supportive housing, the Network awaits the release of Governor Cuomo’s executive budget on January 21.
Photo credit: Mike Groll/AP