Network News
January 20, 2011


 

State News 

2011 State of the State recap

 
 

OTDA 

Family supportive housing program in jeopardy 

 

 

HUD Seal 

Congress passes major HUD reforms 

 

 

RFP 

Office of Mental Health announces RFP   

 
 

help usa logo 

Governor Cuomo and supportive housing  

 
 

New York Housing Conference 

New York Housing Conference awards luncheon


 

Green logo 

Network and AEA exceed weatherization goals

 

 

AIDS ribbon 

Introducing HASA's new deputy commissioner

 

 

OMH logo 

Office of Mental Health awards adult homes

 


common ground logo squarer 

Common Ground announces major restructuring

 

Michael Hogan squarer 

Hogan reappointed as Office of Mental Health Head

 


CUCS square logo 

Discount available for CUCS training


 

Small SHNNY Logo 

Comings and goings in supportive housing 


 

ETC 

Supportive housing in the news
 

 

stateofstate2011 State of the State address: Highlights and Recap of Recent   

 

SOSLogoSaying he wants a government that pays forperformance, Governor Andrew Cuomo presented his State of the State address on January 5 before 2,000-plus attendees at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Emphasizing economic development, government consolidation and a cap on property taxes,Governor Cuomo outlined several policy initiatives, some of which are of particular interest to the supportive housing community. These included:

 

Redesigning the Medicaid Program: Governor Cuomo announced the creation of a Medicaid redesign team charged with reinventing the system by April 1. The team will take a "crisis management approach" based on the state of Wisconsin's model, which brought both the healthcare industry and government to the table to agree on budget targets. Governor Cuomo has named Wisconsin health finance professional Jason Helgerson as the state's first-ever Medicaid director. Other members of the Medicaid redesign team include newly-reappointed OMH Commissioner Michael Hogan (see story below), former Health Committee Chair Senator Tom Duane, Health Chair Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, and many representatives from the healthcare sector. It does not include any representatives from the behavioral health field or from community-based providers. Governor Cuomo expects the team to identify efficiencies that will allow the state to provide better services for less money. Some sources have reported that the new administration may cut as much as $2 billion from the $52 billion Medicaid budget this year. 

 

Juvenile Justice Facilities: In what was perhaps the most passionate moment of the speech, Governor Cuomo vowed to reform New York's juvenile justice system. Citing recidivism rates above 90 percent and a cost of $200,000 per child, the governor said the system was inefficient and exorbitant, echoing the 1970s Willowbrook scandal that reformed the institutionalization of people with development disabilities. Anticipating critics' calls to protect upstate jobs, the governor exclaimed, "An incarceration program is not an employment program. If people need jobs, let's get people jobs. Don't put other people in prison to give some people jobs."

 

Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission: Saying we must transform our government, Governor Cuomo spoke of his new SAGE Commission, created earlier this month in an Executive Order to "eliminate at least 20% of New York State's government agencies, authorities and other bodies while also increasing government efficiency and accountability and saving taxpayers' money." In his speech, the governor specifically cited the Department of Health's 87 different councils, advisory panels, working groups, task forces and other entities as an example of inefficiency. The SAGE Commission plans to present its first report to the governor by May 1. The commission will consist of 20 members, with the State's new director of agency redesign and efficiency, Paul Francis (a former director of the budget and of state operations under Governor Eliot Spitzer), sharing co-chair.

 

The governor spent much of the speech talking about economic development, education, lowering taxes, cutting spending and ethics reform. Though he referred to his tenure as secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development toward the end of his address, Cuomo did not explicitly discuss housing issues. He also made no mention of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse or mental illness.

 

You can view the entire State of the State address here

 

In addition to his address, Governor Cuomo has begun to fill positions in the Executive Chamber. Members of Cuomo's staff include: 

  • Seth Agata: Legislative Counsel, Assistant Counsel to the Governor
  • Steven M. Cohen: Secretary to the Governor
  • Adam S. Cohen: Special Policy Adviser
  • Paul Francis: Director of Agency Redesign and Efficiency
  • Howard B. Glaser: Director of State Operations and Senior Policy Adviser
  • James Introne: Director of Healthcare Redesign
  • Linda A. Lacewell: Special Assistant to the Governor
  • Benjamin Lawsky: Chief of Staff
  • Jim Malatras: Deputy Secretary for Policy Management
  • Joseph Percoco: Executive Deputy Secretary
  • Lawrence S. Schwartz: Senior Adviser to the Governor
  • Sabrina Ty: Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs

Lastly, the administration has also begun filling state agency positions. Many of these positions remain vacant. Filled positions of interest to the Network include:

  • Nirav R. Shah: Commissioner, Department of Health
  • Jason Helgerson: Medicaid Director
  • Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez: Commissioner, Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
  • Michael Hogan: Commissioner, Office of Mental Health 
  • Brian Fischer: Commissioner, Department of Correctional Services 
SHFYAfundFamily supportive housing program in jeopardy
OTDA

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recently announced the results of a request for proposals (RFP) for the Supported Housing for Families and Young Adults (SHFYA) program. OTDA was able to make awards totaling just $2.5 million, 50% less than what is needed to keep all existing programs whole. 

 

OTDA managed to sustain 32 existing programs and allow four new programs to open in 2011. The four new programs were all sited in new residences recently built with OTDA's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) capital funding. The total 926 units that received funding comprise just 45% of the need. Because of the cut to SHFYA in last year's budget, 48 programs did not receive funding, jeopardizing the housing stability of over 1,100 families and young adults.
 

The estimated cost to fund all SHFYA programs that submitted viable proposals in 2011-12 is $6.3 million, which would allow them to provide essential services to 2,048 families and young adults. 

 

The Network is working with providers to advocate for full funding for this cost-effective program, the only state funding service to keep formerly homeless families and at-risk youth from returning to homelessness. Given Governor Cuomo's decades-long knowledge of supportive housing's value for both vulnerable New Yorkers and for taxpayers, we hope that the full $6.3 million will be included in the Executive Budget expected to be released on February 1. But in a difficult budget environment, such a restoration will be extremely difficult to achieve. We are currently at work to bring the program to the attention of the new administration.
 

The Network urges you to contact the governor's office TODAY to explain why he should allocate $6.3 million in the Executive Budget for SHFYA.
 

You can contact the Governor Cuomo's office by phone at (518) 474-8390 or mail:
 

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor of New York State

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224   

 

 HUDreformsCongress passes major reforms on HUD Section 202 and 811
HUD Seal

During its recent lame-duck session, Congress passed two major housing reform bills to revamp the way providers can use the HUD Section 202 and 811 programs -- Supportive Housing for the Elderly and for the Disabled. President Obama signed both measures into law January 4. The new laws could substantially increase the number of supportive housing units developed under each program by diverting funding to rental assistance, and by allowing these funds to be combined with capital funding obtained from other sources, such as Low Income Housing Tax Credits or HOME dollars. 

 

The reforms addressed two significant development barriers within these HUD programs: their relatively flat funding in the face of rising development costs and their overall lack of flexibility. They create a new equation in which public/private capital funding is leveraged by 202 or 811 rental assistance, combined with a commitment to provide supportive housing services by the state or locality. Allowing for 811 and 202 units to be a part of mixed-development projects better aligns the programs with current best practices in supportive housing.

 

You can learn more about the reforms here

 

 

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RFPNew York Department of Mental Health announces RFP

RFPThe New York Office of Mental Health (OMH) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for 935 units of NY/NY III supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness (population "A"). Funding is available for operating and service costs for single-site supportive housing built with capital funding from the New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and/or Homes and Community Renewal (HCR, formerly DHCR). The supportive housing units must be part of a larger, mixed-use housing project and will be budgeted annually at a gross program level of $18,337.50 each. To read the RFP, visit here.

 

 

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CuomoGovernor Cuomo and supportive housing
Cuomo Picture

As Governor Andrew Cuomo begins to lay out his legislative agenda, those in the supportive housing world are hopeful that he will continue his strong track record as a leader on housing and homelessness issues and as an innovator in combining housing and services to help the most vulnerable Americans live stably in their communities.

 

Governor Cuomo was a pioneer of housing and services. In 1986, he launched the Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (HELP), a nonprofit focused on helping homeless families become self-sufficient. Two years later, he quit his job at the Blutrich, Falcone & Miller law firm to dedicate himself full-time to HELP. Seeing the need for long-term solutions to homelessness, HELP soon went beyond its initial transitional housing efforts to build permanent affordable housing residences. The organization used innovative funding models to provide families with easily accessible support, educational and employment services. Today, HELP is a national organization providing permanent housing linked to services for a range of high-risk populations including homeless youth, veterans and people living with HIV/AIDS.  

 

Toward the end of his tenure at HELP, Cuomo chaired Mayor David Dinkins' Mayoral Commission on Homelessness, which led to the establishment of the New York City Department of Homeless Services and the transformation of large, City-operated shelters into smaller, nonprofit-operated transitional housing residences. In 1993, President Clinton tapped him to serve as assistant secretary for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Cuomo became secretary of HUD in 1997, serving until the end of Clinton's second term.

 

During his tenure at HUD, Governor Cuomo remade the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant program into the "Continuum of Care" we know today. The new approach promoted coordinated, cross-system efforts to reducing homelessness at the local level, incentivized by the availability of federal funding. In tandem with a focus on planning and measurable outcomes, Governor Cuomo's approach expanded supportive housing and garnered bipartisan support for proven housing-based interventions.

 

Funding for supportive housing programs increased dramatically during Cuomo's time at HUD. In 1993, when Cuomo became HUD's assistant secretary, HUD spent $572 million on homeless assistance through McKinney-Vento programs. By 2000, Cuomo's last year as secretary, HUD spending on McKinney-Vento topped $1 billion.

 

Also under Governor Cuomo's leadership, HUD released a landmark comprehensive study on homelessness in America. Titled "The Forgotten Americans - Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve," the report found that the vast majority of homeless Americans coped with issues beyond lack of affordable housing that contributed to their homelessness. The report also found, however, that once families and individuals were provided both services and housing assistance, 60-76% percent escaped the cycle of homelessness.  

 

With such large budget deficits in the coming years, Governor Cuomo will face substantial pressure to find adequate funding for supportive housing and other programs that reduce costs in Medicaid and emergency services. With his experience in nonprofit, community-based responses, we hope that he will look to invest in proven housing solutions. The Network looks forward to working with Governor Cuomo to utilize the housing-plus-services model as the most effective, cost-efficient and humane approach to helping the most vulnerable New Yorkers escape the cycle of homelessness and institutionalization and live stable, healthy lives in our communities.    

 

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NYHCNew York Housing Conference awards luncheon
New York Housing Conference

The New York Housing Conference (NYHC) and National Housing Conference (NHC) held its 37th Annual Awards Luncheon and Symposium on December 9 at the Hilton New York Hotel. The event honored exemplary organizations and individuals in the world of New York affordable housing. Winners included Network member F∙E∙G∙S Health and Human Services as "Nonprofit Developer of the Year" and New York City Housing Development Corporation President Marc Jahr as the recipient of the "Public Service Award." The Bluestone Organization was honored as "Private Developer of the Year" and the "Clara Fox Award for Outstanding Achievement" was awarded to William R. Frey, executive vice president and eastern region executive of Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
 

In addition to the awards, the event included special remarks from Rafael Cestero, commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, National Housing Conference Executive Director Maureen Friar, NYHC Executive Director Judy Calogero and a series of four symposia.    
 


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GreenNetwork and AEA exceed weatherization goals
Green logoWe are delighted to report that the Network's partnership with Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) to weatherize 2,100 units of supportive housing has completed its contract and exceeded its unit goal by 15%! Over 25 supportive housing providers have signed on to bring $15 million in federal resources into downstate New York supportive housing. In addition, the Network has referred 18 downstate supportive housing providers to their local weatherization service providers. The Network can still help enroll supportive housing providers in other weatherization and energy retrofit programs. You can learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) through your local weatherization providers or by contacting Ariel Krasnow or Johanna Walczyk.
 
In other green news, Managing Lean and Green, a workshop series produced by the Network with its partners Pratt Center, ANHD and UHAB, offers valuable information on a variety of sustainable building practices. Visit the Network's website to view past workshops, download related materials and see what's coming up. The Network will hold its next session on February 2, titled "NYC Department of Buildings is Greener and Greater."
 
To encourage greater energy efficiency and sustainability, the Network and its members are developing a comprehensive outreach initiative to educate tenants and staff on sustainability practices. Funding assistance for tenant education is available through Enterprise Green Communities' sustainability training grants. Contact Sustainability Outreach Coordinator Sally Larsen to learn more.
 
Lastly, to send us news on sustainability initiatives and efficiency practices in your own buildings, contact Sally, Ariel or Johanna.


 

adulthomesOffice of Mental Health awards adult homes providers

OMH logo

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has issued awards to seven nonprofits for the Supported Housing for Adult Homes Residents request For proposal (RFP) released last October. We are especially proud that six of the seven recipients are Network members.

 

The Network would like to congratulate the following awardees:

  • F.E.G.S will provide 455 supported apartments in the Bronx over three years, with 153 units in the first year.  
  • Services for the UnderServed will provide 571 apartments in Brooklyn over three years, with 190 units in the first year.  
  • Postgraduate Center for Mental Health will provide 468 apartments in Brooklyn over three years, with 156 units in the first year.
  • Institute for Community Living will provide 621 apartments in Brooklyn and Queens over the next three years, with 207 in year one. It will also create 569 units of supported housing in Staten Island over the next three years, with 189 in year one.
  • Pathways to Housing, Inc. will provide 516 units of supported housing in Queens over the next three years, with 172 units in the first year.
  • Transitional Services for New York, Inc. will open 660 units of housing in Queens over the next three years, with 220 units in year one.
  • Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services will open 640 units of supported housing in Queens over the next three years, with 213 units in the first year.

Last October, OMH released an RFP to develop and operate up to 4,500 units of supported housing for adults living in one of 28 identified adult homes within New York City. OMH will award units in three phases. These awards mark the first phase, consisting of 1,500 units.

 

Congratulations again to all of the awardees!

 

 

commongroundCommon Ground announces major restructuring 

Common Ground LogoAs part of a year-long effort, Common Ground Community announced last week that it has restructured its organization into two separate groups -- Common Ground New York and Common Ground National. Common Ground National will encompass all of the group's national work including its work with the Brownsville Partnership program and in Upstate. Common Ground New York will continue to manage its flagship residences in New York City and develop new buildings in the five boroughs.

Rosanne Haggerty, who founded Common Ground in 1990, has stepped down as president of the overall organization in order to focus on leading the growth of the national organization.

Finally, in a surprise announcement, Tim Marx has announced his resignation as executive director of Common Ground New York, effective January 31. Marx, the former commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, will return to Minnesota to be the new CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Former Director of Housing Operations and Programs Brenda Rosen has been named Common Ground New York's acting executive director.

 

While we are excited for Tim about what is certainly a fantastic new opportunity back in his home state of Minnesota, we will miss his expertise, friendship and cheerful dedication to supportive housing and the Network. His leadership at Common Ground and as a member of the Network's Board of Directors these past three years has been invaluable. We join everyone in New York's extended supportive housing community in wishing Tim the best of luck in his new position. We hope to continue to keep in touch as we work together on national issues of importance to supportive housing. 

 

 

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HoganHogan reappointed as Office of Mental Health head

Good news! Michael Hogan close-upGovernor Andrew Cuomo has reappointed Dr. Michael Hogan as commisioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). Dr. Hogan has held the position since 2007, when he received unanimous confirmation from the State Senate as an appointee of Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Commissioner Hogan has long championed supportive housing as one of the most effective means of helping homeless people living with mental illness regain a foothold in society. Accepting the Supportive Housing Network's "Government Partner of the Year" award at the Network's 2010 Awards Gala, Hogan called supportive housing a "game-changer" for the mental health field.

As OMH Commissioner, Dr. Hogan has maintained the state's commitment to supportive housing funding under the NY/NY III Agreement and initiated significant innovations in the model. Thanks to Commissioner Hogan's efforts to increase collaboration with other state agencies, almost all new OMH housing will be integrated with other affordable housing. In addition, the commissioner has expanded the state's commitment to "housing first" for chronically homeless individuals with mental illness.

The Network welcomes Governor Cuomo's decision to reappoint Dr. Hogan, who will play a key role in the Governor's new effort to redesign Medicaid in the behavioral heatlhcare field. We look forward to continuing a most productive collaboration with Dr. Hogan and his agency.


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HASA Introducing HASA Deputy Commissioner Jacqueline Dudley

AIDS ribbonOn December 9, the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) hosted a breakfast to introduce Jacqueline Dudley to her nonprofit partners in the HIV/AIDS housing community. Ms. Dudley, who had served as general counsel at HASA, recently replaced Matthew Brune as HRA's deputy commissioner for the HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA).

Deputy Commissioner Dudley presented an overview of HASA, gave thanks to those who helped her transition into her new position and highlighted a few of HASA's major initiatives. This included an overview of a new income-disregard program for HASA tenants and an update on New York/New York III. Specifically, she announced that HASA hopes to release a request for proposals (RFP) in the spring of 2011 for the remaining 342 congregate NY/NY III HIV/AIDS units. The Network and others have urged HASA to make this a rolling RFP to better link operating and service funding into the supportive housing development pipeline. 

The Network welcomes Jacquie Dudley and looks forward to working with her to maintain and grow supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS.
 

 

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CUCSNetwork members offered discount for CUCS service worker trainings
CUCS square logo

The Network is offering members a discount on a new training initiative from the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). Network members can receive 10% off registration costs when they sign up for a CUCS training package (valid through June 30) by entering the discount code "5287" during the online registration process.
 

In addition to providing services to more than 22,000 vulnerable New Yorkers annually, CUCS is a national leader in service worker training and provides instruction to more than 5,000 staff each year. Training includes lessons on Cultural Competency, Staff Supervision, Person-Centered Clinical Skills, Group Work and Non-Coercive Prevention of Violence; many trainings are OASAS-accredited. The CUCS Housing Resource Center has developed more than 250 hours of training materials.  
 

For more information, visit the CUCS website.  
 

 

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ComingsGoingsComings and goings in the world of supportive housing
Small SHNNY Logo

With the transfer of the State Senate from Democratic to Republican control, State Senator Catharine Young has been appointed chair of New York's Senate Standing Committee on Housing. Young, a Republican from Jamestown in Western New York, first entered the Senate in 2005. Previously, she had been a ranking member of the Assembly Committee on Housing.  

 

Amy Reisner will leave her post as Common Ground's government grants manager as of February 4 to begin work at Fedcap, a nonprofit that focuses on employment for people with disabilities. We thank Amy for all of her work with the Network's City Advocacy committee and other activities.   
 

The Harlem United Community AIDS Center has a new CEO. Steven Bussey replaces Patrick McGovern, who left in September to lead the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences' efforts to increase access to AIDS medications. Mr. Bussey previously worked as managing director for the Healthcare Industry Group at Alvarez and Marsal, and served as chair of Harlem United's Board for the past three years. Latraviette D. Smith, a senior vice president at Edelman Global PR, is Harlem United's new Board chair.
 

Laura Grund is the new vice president of housing at Harlem United Community AIDS Center. Ms. Grund spent the last six years at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Housing Services. As Director of the housing unit, she oversaw DOHMH's entire portfolio of supportive housing contracts, represented DOHMH on the NYC Continuum of Care and helped to launch and implement the landmark NY/NY III Agreement.  

 

Dianne Newhouse has retired as president and CEO of Volunteers of America's Western New York division, a post she has held for the past five years. Ms. Newhouse was awarded a National Leadership in Administration Award by VOA last June.

 

David Walsh exits his role as senior vice president of the Homes & Community Renewal department's Multifamily Programs, where he has worked since 2008. Prior to joining HCR, Mr. Walsh was director of housing development at Common Ground. He will begin work at the banking firm Chase.
 

Liz Glass is retiring on January 31 after 19 years at Community Access, most recently as chief program officer. Liz helped develop Community Access' peer-run programs, including the Howie the Harp Peer Specialist Training Center. She also supervised housing development, including several integrated projects for formerly homeless adults with psychiatric disabilities and low-income families. 

 

Network Board member Germaine Knapp is stepping down as executive director of Sojourner House in Rochester. Ms. Knapp has headed Sojourner House -- which provides 40 supportive apartments for homeless women and their children -- for the past 14 years. 
 

Margaret Anderton has resigned as the director of Bethesda House, a supportive housing ministry in Schenectady County, which recently completed a new supportive housing residence in Schenectady.  

 

Lastly, we are delighted to welcome Soheil Rezayazdi to the Network as our new communications associate. 
 

 

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InTheNewsSupportive housing in the news
ETC

ABC featured the Jericho Project in a video and print piece on December 26. The piece, on homelessness among veterans, ran during "This Week with Christiane Amanpour." Check it out here.

 

The New York Times ran two online-only commentaries on homelessness and supportive housing by David Bornstein. You can read them here and here.
 

The New York Times also ran a piece on homeless veterans in New York. The story focused on Services for the UnderServed, a Network member. Read it here.  

 

The Daily News ran a feature on a Bronx neighborhood's change of heart about SUS's new supportive housing residence. Read it here

 

City Limits published an audio slide-show on supportive housing by Amy Berryhill. The piece features Network Communications Director Cynthia Stuart. Watch it here.
 

The Niagara Gazette ran a story on the need for funding at Carolyn's House, a Network member. Read it here.
 

Deborah De Santis, president and CEO of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, published a column on supportive housing in the Huffington Post. Read it here.     
 

Outgoing Common Ground Executive Director Tim Marx discussed the importance of supportive housing in a recent Yahoo! News story on "golden-voiced" Ted Williams.      

 

 
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