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01.18.2018
Governor Cuomo released the SFY 2019 executive budget on January 16th. Here is our first analysis of the budget areas important to the supportive housing community.
Governor Cuomo released the SFY 2019 executive budget on January 16th which starts the clock ticking for budget season in Albany! Here is our first analysis of the budget areas important to the supportive housing community.
5 YEAR HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS PLAN
Included in the executive budget is a re-appropriation of last year’s $2.5 billion 5 year housing and homelessness plan that includes funding for 6,000 units of supportive housing over 5 years. This specifically includes $950 million in capital funding and $124.5 million for service and operating expenses for the first 6,000 units over the next 5 years.
In addition to this funding other budget areas of interest include:
OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
- Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) - $64 million – Same funding amount as last year
- Homeless Housing Preventative Services Program - $36.8 million - $1.4 million INCREASE
The Executive Budget increased the Homeless Housing Preventative Services (HHPS) Program by $1.4 million over last year’s final budget. HHPS funds the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP), the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) and the Operational Support for AIDS Housing (OSAH) Program.
HOMES & COMMUNITY RENEWAL
- Housing Trust Fund - $44.2 million – Baselined
The Executive budget proposes funding the Housing Trust Fund at $44.2 million which is $21 million less than last year when there was additional funding added from the mortgage insurance fund.
OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
- OMH Supportive Housing – $10 million Increase to Enhance Support for Existing Residential Programs.
The budget increases funds for supported housing and single residence occupancy programs by $10 million. This is significantly less than what is needed to maintain the existing units and will be an advocacy priority for the Network this year. - Workforce Increase
The Budget includes $255 million to support the 6.5 percent salary increase provided to direct care professionals and 3.2 percent salary increase for clinical staff to support the increase included in last year’s budget.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/MEDICAID REDESIGN TEAM (MRT)
- MRT Supportive Housing Fund - $63 million – Same funding amount as last year
Last year, the funding was cut by $20 million and funded at $63 million. The cut did not impact any existing programs, but rather impacted programs outlined in the allocation plan that had not been implemented. This year, DOH is proposing to keep it funded at the same level, with no additional cuts.
Delays Cost of Living Increases for Staff
The Budget language defers a COLA increase for 2017 until 2019.
The budget now must be passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor no later than April 1st. In the next few weeks, the Senate and the Assembly will hold budget hearings and negotiate with the Governor. The Network’s advocacy in the upcoming weeks will focus on the proposed initiatives outlined above. We are currently planning a March 6 Advocacy Day. We encourage all Network members to participate. Please email Steve Piasecki at spiasecki@shnny.org to register.