Series B: 1:30-3:00pm
Navigating the Crossroads: The Future of Supportive Housing in New York State - Astor Ballroom, 7th Floor
Despite budget increases and ambitious new programs, New York’s supportive housing system faces unprecedented federal funding uncertainty and policy challenges. This panel of key state agency leaders will explore what’s at stake, how the state is working to preserve and expand supportive housing, and how agencies are responding to pressing crises, including homelessness, mental health challenges and the opioid epidemic.
RuthAnne Visnauskas, she/her, Commissioner/CEO, NYS Homes & Community Renewal
Chinazo Cunningham, she/her, Commissioner, NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports
Barbara Guinn, she/her, Commissioner, New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Alexa Sewell, she/her, Senior Vice President, Multifamily Finance & Development, NYS Homes & Community Renewal
Moira Tashjian, she/her, Executive Deputy Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health
Jara Traina, General Counsel and the Director of the Bureau of Law and Public Safety, NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
Moderator: Dr. Myra Henry, she/her, President & CEO, YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County
State of Supportive Housing: Who Lives Here - Empire Complex, 7th Floor
In 2024, the Network released its inaugural State of Supportive Housing, detailing all the supportive housing units across the state. The second annual report explores the demographics of tenants living in supportive housing, including race, ethnicity, age, and gender. This session will feature a brief presentation of the report, as well as a discussion surrounding the key findings and how government agencies and providers collect and use data on their tenants to improve supportive housing. View Presentation PDF.
Rachel Barth, she/her, Senior Data Analyst, the Supportive Housing Network of New York
Clifton Clark, he/him, Tenant, Consumer Advisory Board Member, Breaking Ground/CUCS
Robyn Gundy, she/her, Vice President of Program Development and Evaluation, Bowery Residents' Committee
Kevin Lee, Director of Data Analytics, Breaking Ground
Kathy O’Sullivan, she/her, Executive Director of Mental Health Programs, Advancing Racial Justice & Health Equity, Division of Mental Hygiene, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
Leroy Perkins, he/him, Program Director, Clyde Burton House and Palace SRO, Bowery Residents' Committee
Leading Through the Backlash: Sustaining DEIB in a Shifting Legal and Political Landscape - Soho Complex, 7th Floor
In an era marked by coordinated attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, executive leaders are being called to both protect hard-won progress and reimagine how to lead with courage and transparency. Join Dr. Judy Lubin—nationally recognized thought leader, strategist, and founder of the Center for Urban and Racial Equity (CURE)—for a timely, candid discussion on how organizations can remain grounded in their values while adapting to a rapidly evolving legal and political environment. This session is tailored for executive leaders navigating the complexities of sustaining DEIB commitments amid growing scrutiny, litigation, and policy rollbacks. Dr. Lubin will unpack the broader implications of anti-DEI legislation, explore strategic responses, and offer tools to help organizations assess risk, reinforce purpose, and lead with impact. View Presentation PDF.
Iyen A. Acosta, Reno & Cavanaugh, PLLC
Lori Moses, s/her, Senior Staff Attorney, Lawyers Alliance for New York
Chance E. Morrison, she/her, Chief Equity Officer, BRC
Jeanette Ruffins, she/her, Executive Director, Homeward NYC
Jim Mutton, he/him, Associate Director of NYC Program Operations, Concern Housing
Moderator: Dr. Judy Lubin, Founder and President, Center for Urban and Racial Equity
Walking Alongside: Support for Staff Caring for Those at the End of Life - Shubert Complex, 6th Floor
By 2030, projections indicate that the number of people aged 65 and older will outnumber those under 18 in the United States. As our population ages, we find ourselves increasingly unfamiliar with how to thoughtfully engage with mortality—both personally and within our communities. For staff working in supportive housing, where aging in place is a priority, this shift brings new and complex challenges. Additionally, since Covid and the increase in overdose deaths, addressing grief carried by staff and tenants in the wake of sudden death is vitally important. This workshop is interactive and reflective, offering space to learn, share, and grow in confidence and compassion.
Emma Acker, she/her, End of Life Doula and Founder, All’s Well Initiative
Kristin Goodwin, she/her, Associate Vice President of Integrated Harm Reduction, Harlem United
Introducer: Diane Louard-Michel, she/her, Executive Director, Lantern Community Services
Best Practices in Reducing Rental Arrears - Marquis Ballroom, 9th Floor
This workshop will explore effective strategies for reducing rental arrears, including proactive communication, flexible payment plans, and the use of technology to streamline payment tracking. The discussion will also touch on how to balance empathy with firm policy enforcement to achieve positive outcomes for both tenants and landlords. View Presentation PDF.
Dr. Shauntee Byron, she/her, Deputy Chief of Programs for Permanent Supportive Housing, Jericho Project
Tyiesha Griffin, she/her, Case Manager, Jericho Project
Kennisha Lawrence, she/her, Manager of Building Operations, Jericho Project
Moderator: Kenya Evans-Pinckney, she/her, Chief Program Officer, Jericho Project
Back in the Habit: Faith Based Housing Development - Cantor/Jolson, 9th Floor
As land is increasingly scarce for supportive housing development and houses of worship look for opportunities to stabilize financially and increase community impact, there are exciting and innovative partnerships brewing to develop on faith-based land. Come hear from practitioners about these projects, opportunities, and challenges, as well as proposed legislation to facilitate these partnerships. View Presentation PDF.
Ron Abad, he/him, CEO, Community Housing Innovations
Ralph Fasano, he/him, Executive Director, Concern Housing
Annemarie Gray, she/her, Executive Director, Open New York
Ericka Keller, she/her, CEO/Managing Member, Brisa Builders Development LLC
Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, President of Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood
Moderator: Dr. Xellex Rivera, she/her, Chief Program Officer, Housing Solutions of New York (HSNY)
Recharge and Restore: Self-Care Strategies for Supportive Housing Staff - Odets, 4th Floor
Explore Good Shepherd Services' holistic approach to staff wellness and learn about their initiatives designed to prioritize staff mental well-being. This interactive session will provide practical strategies to recharge and restore your energy, offering tools you can replicate to foster a culture of well-being at your own agency. View Presentation PDF.
Dani DeLade, they/them, Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Good Shepherd Services
David Gray, he/him, Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist, Good Shepherd Services
Rachel Hinton, she/her, Art Therapist and Art Specialist, Good Shepherd Services
Improving Care Through Mobile Solutions - Ziegfeld, 4th Floor
Join Institute for Community Living (ICL) to learn about two innovative programs they have launched—STEPS and Health Connect—to enhance care for individuals with behavioral health challenges and co-occurring disorders by bridging service gaps in supportive housing. The STEPS program (Step-down Treatment Ensures Personal Success) offers a structured, step-down model for individuals transitioning from high-intensity behavioral health services such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) or Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT). The Health Connect program was developed in response to an identified gap in services for scattered site supportive housing clients, especially those aging in place with behavioral health challenges. The program provides enhanced behavioral health and primary care support to tenants at high risk of psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, overdoses, and incarceration. It targets individuals with chronic health conditions, frequent hospitalizations, substance use history, and limited engagement with traditional care systems. View Presentation PDF.
Bridgette Callaghan, she/her, Vice President - Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) Programs, Institute for Community Living
Diana Funches, she/her, Program Director, Health Connect, Institute for Community Living
Amy Johnson, she/her, Peer Specialist, Health Connect, Institute for Community Living
Delanie Lowe, she/her, Peer Specialist, IMT Bronx, Institute for Community Living
Laura Savino, she/her, Senior Vice President, Care Management, Institute for Community Living
Moderator: Rosita Marinez, she/her, Senior Vice President of Supported Housing, Institute for Community Living
Deepening the Conversation - Technical Assistance around Workforce Development in Supportive Housing - Wilder, 4th Floor
Join staff from the New York State Office of Mental Health’s Workforce Development Unit to discuss challenges with recruitment and retention in the workplace. OMH staff will provide technical assistance tailored to the housing workforce as well as listen to individual concerns and suggestions to improve workplace stability. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the developing Credentialed Mental Health Support Specialist (CMHSS) paraprofessional career ladder and provide valuable feedback to help ensure the CMHSS will benefit housing programs.
Sam Fletcher, Director of Workforce Development, NYS Office of Mental Health
Olivia Knox, she/her, Mental Health Program Specialist, NYS Office of Mental Health