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Welcome to the February 2014 issue of Network News, the Supportive Housing Network of New York's monthly e-newsletter. In this issue, you'll find stories on Governor Cuomo's executive budget, new NYC commissioners and Council committee chairs, the launch of a new federal supportive housing campaign and more. As always, we welcome story ideas and tips for future issues. Thanks for reading!
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Gov. Cuomo announces major supportive housing increases in executive budget
Network prepares for advocacy days in February, March
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Governor Andrew Cuomo presents his executive budget for the 2014-2015 year on January 21. Photo: Business Council of New York State.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo released his fourth executive budget on January 21, and it was a fantastic one for supportive housing!
The SFY 2014-15 Executive Budget Proposal provides a major infusion of new capital for supportive housing development. This includes the doubling of the OTDA Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) and an increase in supportive housing subsidies for high-cost Medicaid recipients, as well as modest but much needed increases to three key housing and homelessness programs: the NYS Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP), Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) and NYS Office of Mental Health Supported Housing.
The Network will hold two advocacy days in Albany to urge lawmakers to fully fund these programs. The first of these events will take place on Tuesday, February 11 and focus on supporting the governor's baseline budget for existing NYSSHP and STEHP programs and adding additional funding for new programs coming online. We will also be advocating for housing and prevention programs that are threatened by recent US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cuts due to sequestration.
The second event will take place on Tuesday, March 18 and focus on all programs mentioned in this article. We strongly urge you to get involved in our effort to ensure increased funding for supportive housing. We would be especially grateful to have NYSSHP and STEHP nonprofit providers involved in the February 11 event.
If you'd like to join us in meetings with New York State senators and representatives, please email the Network's Maclain Berhaupt.
"This is a budget that shows a serious commitment to housing and supporting some of New York's most vulnerable citizens," says Network Executive Director Ted Houghton. "We are particularly pleased with the massive $260 million, two-year allocation for the DOH Medicaid Redesign Team Supportive Housing Program that will increase the supportive housing program from $86 million to $100 million in the first year, the doubling of HHAP and the much needed rate increase for downstate OMH Supported Housing rates."
For our full analysis of Governor Cuomo's executive budget, head over to Network News:
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New leaders emerge in NYC Mayor's Office, City Council
Mayor names commissioners, Council names committee chairs
 | | (left to right) Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Rose Pierre-Louis, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Dr. Mary Bassett. Photo: NYC Mayor's Office. |
A new mayoral administration and City Council continue to take shape in New York City. The following is our latest roundup of appointments that directly impact the worlds of housing and homelessness. To read our initial in-depth rundown of NYC appointees, see this blog post from last month.
On January 16, Mayor Bill de Blasio expanded his cabinet with new commissioners for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence.
Dr. Mary Bassett, a renowned health advocate, will serve as the new Commissioner at DOHMH. Dr. Bassett has more than 30 years of experience working with international nonprofits, hospitals, universities and New York City government. She is a former Associate Professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and Deputy Commissioner of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at DOHMH. She's spent more than half of her career consulting in Zimbabwe for nonprofits such as UNESCO. An NYC native, Dr. Bassett oversaw several high-profile campaigns during her time at DOHMH, including efforts to ban smoking and trans fats in restaurants.
Mayor de Blasio has also named Rose Pierre-Louis the new Commissioner of the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence. Ms. Pierre-Louis served until recently as the Deputy Borough President for Manhattan under now-Comptroller Scott Stringer. She has held leadership positions at the Network for Women's Services, Sanctuary for Families and Harlem Legal Services. Ms. Pierre-Louis has devoted much of her career to serving as a lawyer for survivors of domestic violence.
"Commissioner Pierre-Louis has been a strong partner in the fight to end domestic violence and has a keen understanding of the barriers many survivors face when fleeing an abusive relationship -- including the lack of safe, affordable housing options," said Carol Corden, Executive Director of New Destiny Housing.
Head to our blog to learn more about NYC's new commissioners and City Council committee chairs:
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Federal spending bill includes mix of restorations and budget cuts
Budget expected to reach presidential signature
 After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the US House and Senate Appropriations Committees released their budget for the 2014 federal fiscal year on January 13.
This budget provides significant relief to US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs from the harmful effects of sequestration cuts. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance funding rose by 9%, which should minimize cuts to existing programs in next year's Continuum of Care competition. This increase will have no impact on the 5% of programs that are on the chopping block in the current round of funding, however.
Both tenant-based and project-based rental assistance (Section 8) were increased in this budget. These programs, thankfully, will be funded above pre-sequester levels. The budget aims to avoid having any current tenant lose an existing voucher.
This is a substantial improvement over the sequestration budget levels. Overall, however, the budget remains a tight one. It will probably take one to two months before New York State, the City and other localities know the exact program funding levels they will receive from HUD.
To read our complete recap of this proposed budget, head over to Network Newsfeed:
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NYCHA releases supportive housing RFP
Proposals due Feb. 28; proposers' conference set for Feb. 10
 The NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for Project-Based Vouchers for substantial renovation or new construction of rental units in a supportive housing residence. These vouchers can be used to house persons with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, veterans or seniors. The RFP is open to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. NYCHA will accept proposals until Friday, February 28.
You can read the official RFP announcement here. To read the full RFP, you must create an iSupplier account here. Please note that the process of creating a new account can take two days.
NYCHA will hold a proposers' conference on Monday, February 10 at 10:00am. The agency asks that you RSVP by Friday, February 7 if you'd like to attend. For a complete analysis of this NYCHA RFP, head over to our blog Network Newsfeed:
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Housing Is Healthcare Coalition launches
Federal effort seeks Medicaid funding for supportive housing
 | | Network Executive Director Ted Houghton moderates a discussion on Medicaid and supportive housing at a kick-off planning meeting for the Housing Is Healthcare Coalition in Washington, D.C. |
The Network participated in a kick-off planning meeting last month for the Housing Is Healthcare Coalition, a new nationwide campaign to fund supportive housing programs using federal Medicaid funding. This advocacy effort aims to convince federal policymakers of the fiscal and quality-of-life benefits of supportive housing for individuals who are high-cost Medicaid users.
Four strategies emerged from last month's meeting to persuade lawmakers to recognize the healthcare benefits of housing. These strategies include:
- Explore the possibility of applying for Medicaid waivers (either 1915i or 1115) with special benefits for homeless people with chronic conditions. This plan would include cost-reduction incentives that could be met through housing.
- Explore other bundling and funding mechanisms to harness Medicaid to address the housing needs of vulnerable populations.
- Bring together a caucus of Medicaid directors from across the country to discuss opportunities in this arena.
- Explore legislative fixes to facilitate the use of Medicaid for supportive housing.
To read our complete overview of this exciting initial meeting, click the button below. If you'd like to get involved in the Housing Is Healthcare Coalition, please email the Network's Steve Piasecki.
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Network Conference set for June 5
Save the date for our largest event of the year!
Our signature annual event will return on Thursday, June 5! We hope you'll save the date for our 14th Annual New York State Supportive Housing Conference. We're expecting more than 1,200 of our friends and colleagues to attend this year. As always, admission to our conference includes access to dozens of carefully crafted workshops, a keynote address, breakfast, lunch, a cocktail reception and endless opportunities to network and make new friends. Please see below for more information. We'll be announcing further details, including conference topics, times and panelists, in the months ahead.
What: 14th Annual New York State Supportive Housing Conference
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2014
Time: 8:00am-6:30pm
Location: New York Marriott Marquis
Address: 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
We look forward to seeing you at the largest supportive housing conference in the nation!
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OTDA to hold Gateway System webinars
Sessions slated for February 27 and 28
 The NYS Office of Temporary Disability and Assistance (OTDA) will host two webinars later this month on the newly launched NYS Gateway System. All supportive housing nonprofit providers with OTDA grant contracts are encouraged to learn more about this new online contracting and payment system. These webinars will take place on Thursday, February 27 and Friday, February 28 at 10am. The deadline to register for either day is February 25.
To learn more about these instructional sessions and RSVP, download this handout.
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Supportive housing stories go viral
New widely-shared articles in Nation of Change, elsewhere
 We've seen a terrific number of pieces on the success of supportive housing and the housing first model over the last few weeks. Most of these stories have focused on recent successes outside of New York, from Utah to Arizona and elsewhere. Below, you'll find links to this roundup of positive press.
Nation of Change: This piece on supportive housing in Utah has received a staggering 435,000 likes (and counting) on Facebook!
New York Times: The Grey Lady reports on a milestone in the effort to end veteran homelessness in Arizona. The paper refers to the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program as the "backbone" of the federal government's effort to eliminate homelessness among veterans.
Think Progress: Numerous publications also covered the end of veteran homelessness in Arizona. This Think Progress piece has garnered more than 24,000 Facebook likes.
Boing Boing: This popular blogging site follows up on the Nations of Change piece. The post has received nearly 2,000 Facebook likes to date.
Slate: Influential columnist David Weigel highlights Utah's effort to cut chronic homelessness by 74% through supportive housing. The piece has more than 6,000 likes on Facebook.
WyoFile: This Wyoming-based nonprofit news outlet argues that supportive housing is a humane, fiscally responsible investment. "By giving [homeless people] a roof over their heads instead of a hospital bed or jail cell," the article concludes, "Wyoming communities can show that they are both compassionate and good stewards of public funds." |
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Network Jobs Board Check out these job openings and many others on our Jobs Board. Network members can post their employment opportunities for free!
Superindendent Henry Street Settlement
Mental Health Counselor Comunilife Entitlement Specialist Center for Urban Community Services |
Upcoming Events
The Network will co-sponsor several events in February and March with the Center for Urban Community Services. Our events include a workshop on cutting edge case management techniques (Feb 19), how to help supportive housing tenants into real employment (Feb. 24) and housing-based case management services (March 12).
Also this month, the Network is co-sponsoring a workshop on how to promote active living in a supportive housing residence through design. We're organizing the event, which takes place February 25, with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Center for Active Design.
Head over to our website to learn more about all of our upcoming events!
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Member Updates
A Brooklyn supportive housing residence has received an architecture and design award from Interior Design. The residence, Navy Green, was highlighted at Interior Design's 2013 Best of Year (BOY) awards as the best multifamily affordable apartment building of the year. Navy Green was developed by Dunn Development Corp. and provides services to tenants courtesy of Pratt Area Community Council and Brooklyn Community Housing and Services. You can learn more about this honor here.
Concern for Independent Living has received a $1 million award to develop a 115-unit supportive housing residence in the Bronx. The funding comes courtesy of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of New York's Affordable Housing Program. To learn more about this award, see this story in the New York Nonprofit Press. We'd like to congratulate all of our members who received FHLB funding this round: Arbor Development, Cazenovia Recovery Systems, DePaul Properties, Grace Church Community Center, Heritage Christian Services and Providence Housing Development Corp.
Concern for Independent Living has also begun construction on Concern Bergen, a new supportive housing residence in Brooklyn. This 90-unit residence is anticipated for completion in mid-2015. To learn more, read this piece in today's New York Nonprofit Press.
Community Access celebrated its 40th anniversary on January 28 with a special homecoming event and cocktail reception. In addition to marking four decades since the formation of this trailblazing nonprofit, the evening also highlighted the renovation of Gouverneur Court, a supportive housing residence badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Gouverneur Court, the location of last month's festivities, is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Cannon Heyman & Weiss has announced a scholarship fund for students living in affordable housing. Tenants can use this funding to help pay for tuition at an undergraduate program. Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000. To learn more about the scholarship fund, click here. Applications are due May 2. If you or someone you know is eligible for this scholarship, we urge you to apply!
Rosanne Haggerty, President of Community Solutions, has delivered a TEDx talk on ending homelessness. Her presentation includes several references to the Times Square, America's largest supportive housing residence. You can learn more about her TEDx talk and watch it in full here.
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Comings and Goings
Jason Lippman is set to depart from his current position at the Coalition for Behavioral Health Agencies. On February 18, he will begin work as the new Director of Public Policy and Government Relations at Amida Care. Mr. Lippman has served at the Coalition since 2008, first as a Senior Associate for Policy and Advocacy and eventually as Director of Policy and Advocacy. In his new role, Mr. Lippman will implement Amida Care's policy positions on issues related to HIV care and treatment. We wish him the best of luck!
Dr. Adam Karpati has announced his departure from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Dr. Karpati has served as Executive Deputy Commissioner for Mental Hygiene since 2008, and he has been with the agency many years prior to his appointment, working in CDC preventive medicine, the Division of Epidemiology and for the Brooklyn District Public Health Office. Network staff and members have worked with Dr. Karpati extensively over the years and will miss his leadership in the supportive housing field. In implementing NY/NY III, he oversaw the largest single procurement of supportive housing contracts in history, helping to house thousands of homeless and disabled New Yorkers. Dr. Karpati will be joining Union North America, a nongovernmental organization working on public health issues in developing countries. We thank him for his service for New Yorkers with mental illness and congratulate him on his new post.
RuthAnne Visnauskas will soon step down as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Ms. Visnauskas announced her departure from the nation's largest local housing authority earlier this week. She has served at HPD in a number of roles over the past eight years: as Executive Director of Large Scale Planning, Assistant Commissioner for New Construction Finance, Associate Commissioner for Preservation and Deputy Commissioner for Development. She was appointed Commissioner of the agency by Michael Bloomberg in September 2013. As Deputy Commissioner and then Commissioner, Ms. Visnauskas oversaw the annual housing production goals of HPD's housing plan to finance 165,000 units of affordable housing by the end of the 2014 fiscal year and was instrumental in the recent effort to double supportive housing. It's been our great pleasure to work with Ms. Visnauskas during her years at HPD. We wish her nothing but the best.
Wren Longno, the Network's Director of Member Services, will be away on maternity leave for much of the winter season. Ms. Longno gave birth on January 14 to Minami, her first daughter and second child. We at the Network couldn't be more excited for Wren and her family. If you'd like to congratulate Ms. Longno, feel free to send her an email at [email protected]. We wish Wren the best and look forward to her return!
The Network has hired Sarah Schenck to temporarily cover Ms. Longno's duties. Ms. Schenck is a filmmaker and communicator with substantial experience working in NYC government. She entered the supportive housing world after directing several videos for Network member Project Renewal. Ms. Schenck will help organize the Network's events and outreach efforts with current and potential members. You can reach her at [email protected].
Brendan Cheney has also joined the Network team for a few months. Mr. Cheney will help execute our NYC policy and advocacy efforts while our full-time Policy Analyst, Edline Jacquet, remains on maternity leave. For the past several years, Mr. Cheney has worked as a Senior Policy Analyst for former NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn. He has also worked on housing issues at the NYC Independent Budget Office. You can reach Mr. Cheney at [email protected].
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