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 NYC restores $5.1 million for HIV/AIDS supportive housing!
 On June 29, the New York City Council approved a budget that restored $5.1 million in proposed cuts to HIV/AIDS supportive housing contracts. The cuts, proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's budget, would have eliminated over 100 on-site case managers in HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA)-funded supportive housing. Thanks to this restoration, thousands of vulnerable tenants will get to keep their case workers.
"Our case loads would have doubled had these cuts gone through," says Kiltie Bedford, the director of Geffner House at Project Renewal. "Our HASA tenants' housing stability and health would have been at serious risk, and, because we would all have been stretched thin, all our tenants would have been negatively impacted."
The final budget restores both HASA supportive housing contracted case management cuts ($2.718 million) and HASA supportive housing contract cuts ($2.368 million). It does so using the Council's legislative initiative funding. While not all of the HASA programs were restored, the Network is pleased that the other Council priorities included a restoration of $995,000 to maintain the Momentum Project nutrition program and $200,000 toward the Gay Men's Health Crisis Representative Payee program for HASA clients. The restorations were made possible thanks to the unwavering support of Speaker Quinn, General Welfare Chair Annabel Palma and their incredibly dedicated staff. The Network also wishes to thank Council Member Domenic Recchia, chair of the Finance Committee, for prioritizing this restoration throughout the budget hearings and negotiations, and acknowledge the many council members who fought hard to restore this funding, especially Gale Brewer, Danny Dromm, Robert Jackson, Letitia James, Oliver Koppell, Brad Lander, Steve Levin and Rosie Mendez. "In a very difficult budget year, I am extremely pleased that the Council was able to restore $5.1 million for HASA supportive housing programs," says Council Member Palma. "This restoration saves over 100 supportive housing case workers from losing their jobs and allows providers to continue to offer the excellent care that they provide and upon which thousands of HASA clients rely. Every budget is a statement of values, and this budget is an illustration of the continuing commitment of our City to helping its most vulnerable residents." The Network would also like to recognize two HASA supportive housing tenants who shared their personal stories at rallies during the budget season. Sean McCall, a tenant at Project Renewal's Geffner House, spoke during a press conference in March of the support he received from his case manager to overcome his addiction and stabilize his health. Likewise, Housing and Services, Inc. (HSI) tenant Doug Collins told rally participants in May that his case manager serves as the anchor in a support system that has literally kept him alive. "My caseworker's guidance has enhanced my health, both physically and mentally," says Mr. Collins. "News of the restoration made me smile and tear up."
"I have the greatest case manager in the world," says John Cortez, a tenant at Geffner House. "Without him, my life would be a living hell."
We extend our gratitude to a host of Network members who attended hearings, rallies and marches, wrote testimony and made phone calls to council members on behalf of this restoration. In a very difficult budget year, supportive housing tenants and staff members worked tirelessly to demonstrate that cuts to supportive housing would hurt the city financially in the long run and, more importantly, hurt tenants now. Our partners at the New York City Council have heard you. Congratulations! Back to top |
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$2.55 million available for SHFYA; proposals due July 29!
 The Network is also delighted to report that on June 17, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) released a request for proposals (RFP) that significantly increases the amount of funding for Supported Housing for Families and Young Adults (SHFYA). The RFP provides $2.55 million for the program, or $2 million more than the amount originally allocated in the State budget passed in March. This additional funding gives existing SHFYA-funded programs the opportunity to continue operating next year. Providers have until July 29 to submit their proposals.
"This is a tremendous relief for homeless families and youth in New York," says Cheryl Hage-Perez, the executive director of Support Ministries in Albany. "It is very encouraging to know that those in control of the distribution of funds understand the need and are doing all they can to see that this need is met."
The June 17 RFP was for the newly created New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP). This program combines SHFYA and SRO Support Services for a total of $20.4 million. The $2.55 million for SHFYA represents just over half of the $5 million available in 2009 -- a funding level that had allowed all SHFYA programs to operate through most of the 2010 calendar year. Still, despite the overall decline, the new RFP is good news indeed in a very tough budget year.
"Funding from OTDA has been and will continue to be critical to our Family Support Services program," says Wanda Acevedo, director of programs at Wilson Commencement Park in Rochester.
For SRO Support Services, NYSSHP designates $17.85 million. This amount will fund currently existing contracts but remains an estimated $4.35 million short of the total statewide demand.
Though these amounts fall short of funding all programs across the state, this RFP will certainly help the supportive housing community weather the State's budget shortfalls. It will also provide us with the momentum we need to fight for an expansion of funding for these vital programs next year.
We would like to send a sincere thank-you to all of our members who advocated for this funding, Governor Cuomo, his staff and OTDA. Good luck to all those applying for these funds. For more notes on the RFP, visit the Network's website.
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Providence House breaks ground on first supportive housing residence
 On June 29, Providence House broke ground on the organization's first supportive housing residence, which will be located on Kosciusko Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. Named after the organization's long-time supporters Janet and Jim D'Addario, the new residence will provide 46 apartments for a mix of low-income and homeless individuals and families.
Sister Janet Kinney, executive director of Providence House and guiding light behind the D'Addario Residence, welcomed the 60 guests, many of whom had played a part in the six-year effort to bring the residence into being. She noted that "welcome" is at the root of Providence House's mission to help homeless, abused and formerly incarcerated women realize their potential. The organization got its start when four Sisters of St. Joseph met a young woman just leaving prison and welcomed her into their lives. "That was 33 years and 13,000 women ago," she noted.
Borough President Marty Markowitz and New York State Assembly Member Annette Robinson discussed the new residence's importance as did New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) Assistant Commissioner Tim O'Hanlon and Capital One Director Fabian Ramirez. Jim D'Addario spoke movingly about how much it meant to have his family's name on the building, saying he hopes the residence will provide the same foundation for success that his home and family have given him.
Calling herself "the funny nun," Sister Elaine Roulet led the participants in a ceremonial blessing of the residence. She asked the crowd shout out "the things that make a house a home" as part of the collective blessing.
Among those present were representatives of New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and New York City Council Members Al Vann and Darlene Mealy.
Community Access will provide on-site services at the residence; service funding will be provided by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Richman Group and Capital One serve at the D'Addario Residence's syndicator and investor, respectively. The building receives funding from HPD. Alphonse Diaz is the project's architect. The D'Addario Residence is being developed by Providence House and Alembic Development Company; they hope to complete the residence by 2013.
The Network extends its heartiest congratulations to Providence House for its extraordinary persistence and dedication.
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DePaul celebrates opening of Bullshead Commons
 Last month, DePaul celebrated the grand opening of Bullshead Commons, a large-scale supportive and affordable housing development located in the city of Rochester. Nearly 100 people gathered to recognize the new DePaul residences, which first opened in January.
Located in Rochester's Main Street corridor, Bullshead Commons consists of three distinct buildings. The first, Halstead Square, is a 75-unit CR/SRO (Community Residence-Single Room Occupancy). It sits alongside the 14-unit Main Street Treatment Apartment (TAP) Program, a restored former convent. The third building, Brown Street Apartments, provides 24 units of affordable housing to the community.
"We are thrilled to see the Bullshead Commons completed and to serve those who reside on the campus," says DePaul President Mark H. Fuller. "DePaul has been part of the Bullshead area since 1968 and we look forward to continuing our role as a vital neighborhood partner."
The open house ceremony featured a number of speakers from state and local government. Along with Mr. Fuller, the event included remarks from New York State (NYS) Senator Joseph E. Robach, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Affairs Tom VanNortwick, NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Contracts and Residential Services Coordinator Jerry Scott and Carlos Carballada, Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business for the city of Rochester.
Christa Construction served as the general contractor for Bullshead Commons. SWBR Architects and National Equity Fund served as architect and syndicator, respectively. The project receives funding from OMH, financed through HCR.
Congratulations to DePaul on the successful grand opening of its newest venture!
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NY Attorney General taps supportive housing leaders for task force
 New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has appointed three representatives from the supportive housing community to the newly-created Leadership Committee for Nonprofit Revitalization. The committee will include Community Solutions President Rosanne Haggerty, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty Executive Director and CEO William Rapfogel and Human Services Council Executive Director Michael Stoller among 26 other leaders from the state's nonprofit sector. The task force is charged with making a series of policy recommendations to the Attorney General. In particular, the committee will develop: - Ideas on how to reduce regulatory burdens on nonprofits
- Legislative proposals to modernize state nonprofit laws in order to eliminate outdated requirements while strengthening accountability
- Measures to enhance board governance and effectiveness.
Attorney General Scheiderman first announced his plans to work with state nonprofit leaders at an April meeting of the Association for Better New York. The Attorney General's Office oversees all nonprofits in New York State. "Existential threats to many small and even mid-sized groups come from the combination of funding cuts and unnecessary bureaucracy," says Mr. Rapfogel. "Many of these groups are housing nonprofits who have labored to survive in a sometimes hostile environment. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Attorney General and his staff to be innovative and realistic as we seek to improve the way New York treats its nonprofits." For a full list of the committee's 29 members, visit here. Back to top |
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Odds and ends in New York supportive housing
 The 11th annual Building Brooklyn Awards have honored Common Ground's The Domenech with this year's prize for affordable housing. The Domenech, which opened in January, is a 71-unit supportive housing residence for homeless and low-income seniors. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will present the award, along with 12 others, on July 14 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. To learn more about the awards ceremony, visit the Chamber of Commerce's website. Congrats to Common Ground and everyone involved with The Domenech!
 The Network, together with its partner, the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), will present results and lessons learned from the Weatherization Assistance Program at AEA's upcoming conference, Multifamily Building 2011: The Energy Efficiency Edge. The Network and AEA will report on specific issues related to retrofitting supportive housing and how the experience in New York and other cities can inform other programs going forward. The Multifamily Buildings conference is a national gathering of building performance specialists, energy efficiency professionals and owners and managers of multifamily buildings. The conference looks at program strategies and best practices, benchmarking, predicting and monitoring energy use, financing initiatives, new technology and developments in the multifamily housing market. The three-day event will take place August 8-10 in Chicago.
 Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) has just released the first in a series of reports on "Population E" supportive housing. The study, titled "Characteristics of Persons Housed by NY/NY III's Supportive Housing for Active Substance Users," is part of CASA's larger Housing Opportunities Program Evaluation (CASAHOPE), a project funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The report gathers information on 358 NY/NY III "Population E" tenants, who are defined as individuals who actively use substances and do not have a serious and persistent mental illness. To read the full report, visit here.
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Supportive housing in the news
 Your News Now ran a segment on community service and Hudson River Housing. On June 28, the organization held a Beautification Day to paint murals, remove litter and help clean Poughkeepsie's Main Street.
On June 22, New York magazine published a photo slideshow on 880 Willoughby, a supportive housing residence in Bushwick. The building recently received a series of design upgrades courtesy of DesigNYC and Sohbr Studio. CAMBA operates the residence and Enterprise Community Partners serves as its syndicator.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle ran a story on budget restorations to the New York State Supported Housing for Families and Young Adults program on July 4.
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Comings and goings in New York Supportive Housing
After three years of tireless advocacy for the Network, Nick Napolitano is leaving the supportive housing community at the end of July for the opportunity to lead outreach efforts for the Jesuits of New York. Those of you who have been lucky enough to get to know Nick over the last few years know that he is deeply committed to his work in the community and has an innate ability to connect with everyone he meets. Nick's new position will allow him to expand his community outreach and public education work from New York to the Northeast and from the housing community to the larger social justice field within the Jesuit order. We wish Nick all the best and look forward to crossing paths in the future.
This also means that the Network is searching for a new policy associate. See below for more information on our current job opening.
Mike Newman, director of Housing Development and Support at the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), will retire in July after 34 years of visionary leadership. During his tenure, Mr. Newman was the point person for the creation of 6,300 units of supportive and 14,200 units of supported housing, with many more in the pipeline.
As many of our members know, Mr. Newman personally shepherded scores of complex supportive housing projects from conception to grand opening. He led efforts to collaborate with New York State Homes and Community Renewal to fund OMH housing using tax credits and moved OMH toward a full embrace of mixed-development projects. Mr. Newman was also a champion of OMH's Home Ownership program. He will be greatly missed.
On July 5, Common Ground named Brenda Rosen its new Executive Director. Ms. Rosen has served as Acting Executive Director since January, when Tim Marx returned to Minnesota to serve as the new CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the organization's founder and longtime Executive Director Rosanne Haggerty became President of Community Solutions, Common Ground's national spinoff. Ms. Rosen has worked at Common Ground since 1999. She previously served as director of the Prince George residence and director of Housing Operations and Programs. Prior to joining Common Ground, Ms. Rosen served as Assistant General Counsel at the New York City Department of Homeless Services.
We'd like to congratulate Common Ground and Ms. Rosen on this exciting development!
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The Network is hiring
The Network is now accepting applications for a new policy associate!
This position will focus on budget and policy analysis, advocacy efforts at the city, state and federal level, and research and public education initiatives that underscore supportive housing's success in ending homelessness. The job requires someone who's passionate about housing and homelessness issues, with the interest and skills to work with a wide array of nonprofit and government partners. Candidates must have a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree with at least three years of advocacy or policy experience in housing, homelessness or other related fields. S/he must be detail-oriented and possess strong research, writing and analytical skills.
Follow this link to learn more about the position. To apply, please email us a resume, cover letter and brief writing sample.
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