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Greetings!
Welcome to the March 2013 issue of Network News, the Supportive Housing Network of New York's monthly e-newsletter. In this issue, you'll find stories on New York State budget advocacy, the effects of sequestration, a grand opening in Lockport and more. As always, we welcome story ideas and tips for future issues. Thanks for reading!
New York Senate and Assembly release one-house budgets
Network continues advocacy for key budget increases
The Network has spent much of the last month fighting for supportive housing restorations to the New York State budget. This year's budget is expected to pass on March 21 -- more than a week before the April 1 deadline.
 

We've focused our advocacy efforts on four major areas:  

  1. Restoring funds to the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)'s Homeless Housing and Prevention Services (HHPS) budget, which funds the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP)
  2. Funding the Medicaid Redesign Team's (MRT) Supportive Housing Program 
  3. Maintaining an effective Homeless Housing Assistance Corporation (HHAC) 
  4. Restoring funds for NYS Department of Health (DOH) AIDS Institute. 

As a result of this advocacy work, the Assembly and Senate have just released "one-house" budget proposals that include some increases for these and other programs important to the supportive housing community. You'll find a summary of our advocacy efforts and a rundown of the Assembly and Senate proposals below.   

 

Homeless Housing and Prevention Services: NYSSHP & STEHP

The Network, in partnership with Homeless Services United, has been advocating for a $4.1 million increase to the two programs in the HHPS budget line: NYSSHP and the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP). This increase would allow OTDA to fully fund all existing programs and provide service funding for all recently opened and about-to-open supportive housing residences. This funding is used for critical services in supportive housing such as employment programs and security staff.

The Assembly has proposed restoring $3.1 million for NYSSHP and STEHP through a $100,000 increase to the HHPS budget line, a $1.5 million increase for family supportive housing and a $1.5 million increase for homelessness prevention programs funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. While the Senate's one-house budget proposal does not contain any additions to NYSSHP or STEHP, the Senate remains willing to negotiate with the Assembly and Executive to restore the funding.


Homes & Community Renewal
Both houses rejected Governor Cuomo's proposal to transfer HHAC from OTDA to NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR). The Network has been cautiously supportive of the transfer, tracking the potential move closely and issuing to the State a set of recommendations, which you can read here.

The Assembly accepted the Executive proposal to create a new Community Preservation Program to replace the existing Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs. The Assembly proposes to provide an additional $14.27 million to restore funding to last year's level.

The Senate rejected Gov. Cuomo's proposal and maintains the same Neighborhood and Rural Preservation program structure. The Senate proposes increasing the program's funding to $16.3 million.

Department of Health MRT & NY/NY III
The Assembly maintains the entire $91 million for the Medicaid Redesign Team Supportive Housing Program, which was proposed in the Executive Budget. The Senate proposes decreasing the baseline amount by $25 million.

In addition, both the Assembly and Senate rejected the Executive's proposal to include the DOH AIDS Institute in a single budget line with all other health programs. Instead, they both propose listing the agency as its own budgeted agency again. Their proposals, however, do not specifically include New York/New York III funding at the AIDS Institute, the state's share of funding for HASA-contracted NY/NY III units. While these funds have been safeguarded in years past, we remain concerned about this structure and will continue advocating for full NY/NY III DOH AIDS Institute funding of $7.2 million.

The Next Steps
The Legislature is expected to pass the budget on March 21. Much will be decided this week, however, as both houses are slated to finish work on their budget proposals in the next few days. Effective advocacy this week is crucial to ensure adequate funding for supportive housing. Immediate advocacy efforts needed today are: 

  • Call your representatives today to remind them how important NYSSHP funds are to homelessness prevention and the safe and effective operation of supportive housing. For pointers on NYSSHP and STEHP, see the Network's talking points. Click here to find your local representatives.
  • Call Senator Hannon (518-455-2200) to urge the Senate to restore the $25 million for the MRT Supportive Housing Fund.
  • Call Senator Hannon and Assemblyman Gottfried (518-455-5939) to ensure $7.2 million is allocated for AIDS Institute NY NY III programs. 

For further details, please email Maclain Berhaupt, the Network's State Advocacy Director. 

Congress misses sequestration deadline
Budget cuts will have enormous impact on low-income housing programs

Congress has passed the March 1 deadline to avoid sequestration, a budget deficit measure devised by Congress and the Obama Administration to trigger massive, across-the-board spending cuts if a budget deficit plan could not be reached.

As outlined in a recent New York Times article, the sequestration cuts total $85 billion in this year alone, most of which will come out of programs that serve low-income and extremely-low-income Americans. This includes deep, across-the-board cuts to almost all of the programs funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to HUD's own estimates, sequestration will put 125,000 individuals and families at risk of homelessness nationwide. The cuts will have very notable effects for supportive housing: 

Exacerbating matters, the House has passed another continuing resolution, which would keep sequester cuts based on last year's appropriations levels. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that this would result in a 10% cut to Continuum of Care (CoC) programs in FY13.

We urge you to contact your elected officials and tell them to fully fund these programs in next year's budget. Call Senator Schumer at 202-224-6542 and Senator Gillibrand at 202-224-4451 to encourage them to pass a realistic HUD budget this week. We hope you'll hammer home these two numbers in particular: $2.3 billion for the McKinney-Vento CoC program and $1.2 billion for HOME.

Please join the fight and help our community avoid these dire cuts!

Housing Visions holds grand opening
New project in Lockport offers 30 homes for families
Donna Lehan, a tenant at Lockport Canal Homes, cuts the ribbon outside one of the project's new residences with her children. Photo by Kierre Daniels, courtesy of Housing Visions Unlimited.
On February 28, Housing Visions Unlimited celebrated the grand opening of Lockport Canal Homes, a mixed low-income and supportive housing project.

 

This new $8.7 million development is home to 21 low-income families and nine families who are survivors of crisis. The families reside in eight newly-constructed buildings and one rehabilitated structure in the Genesee Street corridor in the city of Lockport.

 

Last month's grand opening took place in the neighboring First Baptist Church. The project was first conceived in the church's basement, and First Baptist remained actively involved throughout its development. The church hosted monthly lunches for the construction crew, kept a watchful eye on the properties and provided welcoming gift baskets to their new neighbors.

 

The celebration itself included a number of guest speakers. Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker spoke glowingly of the project and said he looks forward to future ones from Housing Visions. Brett Hebner from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and Lennie Skrill from NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) spoke about their respective roles in the project. YWCA of Niagara CEO Kathy Granchelli also spoke about her organization's partnership with Housing Visions to provide services to nine of the families.

 

Capital funding for Lockport Canal Homes came from HCR's Housing Trust Fund and Low Income Housing Tax Credits, OTDA's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) and the City of Lockport. Passero Associates and Housing Visions Construction served as the architect and contractor, respectively. Bousquet Holstein PLLC served as the lawyer for the project and Richman Housing Resources was the syndicator for the tax credits.

 

Congrats to Housing Visions and the YWCA on the new project!

Congress reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act
New measures affect tenants in HUD-funded programs

President Obama signed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) on March 7. The law, which first passed in 1994, now includes several eviction-prevention measures for domestic violence survivors.

 

The new rules pertain to tenants who live in housing programs funded by the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under the new law, housing programs funded by Section 8, HUD 202, HUD 811 and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Program may not evict tenants or their families for any cause related to domestic violence. The law also creates procedures to allow victims to assume a lease held by the perpetrator of domestic violence.

 

These new measures are a significant victory for domestic violence survivors, one of the many populations served in supportive housing. We thank Congress and President Obama for passing the much-needed reauthorization of VAWA.

Network holds 2013 annual meeting
Says farewell to a government friend, welcomes another
Attendees gather around during the Network's annual meeting on March 6 at the Horticultural Society of New York. For more photos from the event, visit our Facebook page.

The Network said farewell to a dear government partner, said hello to another and reelected its Board of Directors at its annual meeting on March 6.

 

More than 135 of our friends gathered at the Horticultural Society of New York in Manhattan for the event. The 2013 annual meeting offered our community a chance to reminisce, network and look toward the upcoming year -- all over drinks and hors d'oeuvres from Project Renewal's Comfort Foods.

 

For a slideshow of new residences featured at the meeting, click here

 

This year's event also included two guest speakers. Scott Edwards, the recently retired Director of the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)'s Bureau of Housing and Support Services (BHSS), spoke of his 33 years of service to the state of New York.

 

"I always felt that I was there to work for you and for the people that you house, which served me well," Mr. Edwards said. "You all are my heroes because what you do every day on the front lines, I don't think I could do. So I'm very pleased that you all feel that some of what I did was of help."

 

As we said farewell to Mr. Edwards, we also welcomed Jessica Katz as the recently-appointed Assistant Commissioner of Special Needs Housing at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Ms. Katz, a former Network board member, reaffirmed HPD Commissioner Mathew Wambua pledge to double supportive housing production from 500 to 1,000 units per year and reported that the agency is on target for meeting that goal. 

 

Lastly, Network Executive Director Ted Houghton announced that the Network has unanimously reelected its 17-member Board of Directors.

 

We'd like to thank everyone who ignored reports of bad weather and made it out for our annual meeting. We look forward to working with you all to preserve and expand supportive housing in 2013.

Public art nonprofit seeks partners
Groundswell has history of teaming with Network members
"Weaving Change Beyond Shadows," a Groundswell mural located in the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights. Groundswell's team of young adult artists created the piece in conjunction with the American Friends Service Center and Network member Community League of the Heights. Photo courtesy of Groundswell.
A New York City-based nonprofit is now seeking partners for new public art projects in 2013-2014.

 

The group, Groundswell, has worked with three Network members since its inception in 1996: Fifth Avenue Committee, BRC and Community League of the Heights (CLOTH). Groundswell pairs young adults with trained artists and community organizations to create vibrant, socially-relevant artwork in public spaces. All works are created by youth ages 14-21 with guidance from Groundswell and its team of artists. To date, the organization has helped create more than 400 public artworks across New York City and Newark.

 

Groundswell is now finalizing its slate of projects for its mural apprenticeship programs in 2013 and 2014. The organization hopes to pair with nonprofits, community groups or government agencies to produce 40 new pieces this year. The Network urges its members to contact Groundswell to inquire about murals and other public artworks at supportive housing residences.

 

In total, Groundswell has worked on four projects with Network members. The organization's first project created in collaboration with a Network member was "Justice Everywhere," a mural just outside the Fifth Avenue Committee's headquarters. Groundswell conducted research and interviewed Fifth Ave. staff to learn how it could visually illustrate the Brooklyn nonprofit's work. The result, which you can see here, was completed in 2004.

 

"Groundswell's vision of community and empowerment is one we strongly share," says Fifth Avenue Committee Executive Director Michelle de la Uz. "Bringing together trained artists, young people from the community and other community stakeholders to create a lasting piece of community art enlivens our properties and deepens their impact as we realize our mission in multiple ways."

 

Click here to inquire about collaborating with Groundswell in 2013-2014.  

OMH to hold webcast on new gun laws
Law requires providers to report potentially harmful clients

The NYS Office of Mental Health will hold a webcast today for mental health providers on the reporting requirements for New York's new gun laws. The webcast will take place today, March 12, at 2pm. You can learn how to attend here.

 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a comprehensive gun-control measure earlier this year in the wake of the mass shooting in Newton, Connecticut. Among its many provisions, the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (NY SAFE Act) mandates that mental health professionals must report clients who they determine are likely to do serious harm to themselves or others.

 

The March 12 webcast will provide an overview of the NY SAFE Act with a particular emphasis on the reporting requirement. To submit questions to OMH beforehand, email the agency using this address.

In This Issue
State Budget
Sequester
Housing Visions
VAWA Reauthorized
Annual Meeting
Groundswell
SAFE Act
Join Our Mailing List
Upcoming Events

The Network is co-sponsoring four trainings this spring with the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). These trainings will touch on a number of subjects, from housing-based case management to community building. The Network is also co-sponsoring a forum on horticulture therapy on March 29. As in previous years, this day-long event is spearheaded by the Horticultural Society of New York. Lastly, we're also cosponsoring a forum on April 10 with New York City's mayoral candidates to address affordable housing. The event is being held by New York University's Furman Center. To learn more about these events and how you can attend, please visit our
Upcoming Events page!
Save the date: 6/6

Mark your calendars: We've finalized the date for the 13th annual New York State Supportive Housing Conference! We hope you clear your schedules and join us on Thursday, June 6 at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. As always, this all-day event will feature workshops, networking opportunities, special guest speakers and much more. To learn more about last year's workshop, visit the Network's website. See you in June!
 
Network
Jobs Board

Check out these job openings and many others on our Jobs Board. Network members can post their employment opportunities for free!

Common Ground

Center for Urban Community Services

Goddard Riverside Community Center 
Efficiency Program

Network members are still invited to enroll in Con Edison's Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program. This week, one such Network member, Weston United, will receive an award for the energy savings achieved at one of its residences at Con Edison's 2013 Recognition Awards Breakfast for its multifamily program. The Network, along with the Association for Energy Affordability, helped enroll Weston United in the program last year. Email Johanna at the Network to learn how you can receive free, in-unit energy and water saving devices at your residences.  
NYC Cool Roofs
The Network invites its members to enroll in NYC Cool Roofs, a free initiative sponsored by NYC Service and the Department of Buildings to encourage building owners to cool their rooftops with a white reflective coating to reduce energy consumption, cooling costs and carbon emissions. To date, the program has coated more than 3.6 million square feet of rooftops across 415 buildings since it launched in 2010. Send an email to this address to learn how you can enroll your building today. You can also learn more at the NYC Cool Roofs website.
Comings and Goings

After decades of service to the state of New York, Scott Edwards has retired as Director of the Bureau of Housing and Support Services (BHSS) at the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Mr. Edwards served as BHSS Director and occupied other roles in State government for a total of 33 years. As the Director of BHSS, Mr. Edwards oversaw the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), a major source of capital funding for supportive housing. Since its inception in 1983, the program has helped create roughly 14,000 units of supportive housing across New York State. The Network honored Mr. Edwards and the entire BHSS staff at its 2011 Awards Gala with its Government Partner of the Year award. HHAP is just one of several supportive housing programs that Mr. Edwards has helped oversee. In his long career, he's also administered the Operational Support for AIDS Housing (OSAH) program and the now-renamed SRO Support Services program. Few officials in Albany have had more impact on supportive housing over the decades than Scott Edwards. We're sad to see him go, and we wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.