The Network and its members advocate to preserve and increase capital funding, as well as operating and service funding for supportive housing. The Network also champions policies that make development and operation of supportive housing easier and more effective.
Network 2026 State Advocacy Priorities
NEW YORK STATE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM (NYSSHP)
The Network is leading a campaign urging the State to convert the 9,000 at-risk NYSSHP units to its better funded successor the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) through a five-year, phased-in approach. NYSSHP is the sole source of supportive services for over 10,000 supportive housing households. We are asking for an additional $62.1 million in funding, for year 2 of the 5-year plan to bring NYSSHP to modern standards in the 2026 final budget.
See our one-pager here.
HOMELESS HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HHAP)
The recently passed state budget did not double the main source of HHAP funding; however, it did include an additional $25million to preserve existing units, prioritizing those residences that are dependent on NYSSHP for services.
See our one-pager here.
2.7% TARGETED INFLATIONARY INCREASE (TII)
Program costs have risen with inflation and the amount of funding in State contracts has not, leaving nonprofits to cover costs. With looming federal funding cuts, human services workers will need resources to weather challenges ahead.
It is critical that the State fund human services nonprofits and increase wages.
See our one-pager here.
See full list of 2026 State Advocacy Priorities here.
ESSHI CAMPAIGN
The Network was thrilled to see major increases in rates for the 2016 Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, which promised to create 20,000 units of supportive housing in 15 years and was the first long-term commitment to supportive housing outside NYC in history. The recently passed state budget raised rate in the NYC Metro area (which includes Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties) to $34,000 per unit and to $31,000 per unit in the balance of state.
ESSHI RECOMMENDATIONS 2024
In 2024, The Network and the New York State Association for Affordable Housing developed policy recommendations for improving ESSHI.
For an analysis of the State budget’s implications for supportive housing see HERE.
STATE TESTIMONY
Read Network testimonies here.
Our policy priorities are driven by our members. Reach out to Steve Piasecki or Rebecca Zangen!