The Network’s Response to COVID-19:
A Letter From Laura Mascuch
Dear Supportive Housing Community:

We want to express our deepest thanks and admiration: to our members who are working tirelessly to keep their tenants, their staff and their organizations safe; to our government partners who are working 24/7 to provide flexibility, guidance and support to our nonprofit community, to the foundations and financial institutions who are offering financial and material support, and to the individuals and groups who, seeing a desperate need in New York are reaching out to offer assistance. 


COVID-19 & Supportive Housing
The Network is regularly updating links to City, State and Federal guidelines. We have also created a resource directory, which includes information on resources related to supplies, staffing, free meals, substance abuse providers, and other organizations to support nonprofits during this crisis.

Additional Staffing Opportunity
The Coalition for Behavioral Health, with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, has launched a new Staffing Portal to assist with staffing challenges in the residential and congregate care arena.

FEMA Releases Request for Public Assistance Grants
FEMA released a rolling Request for Public Assistance (RPA) March 20th in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and supportive housing providers are eligible to apply. Grants can be used to pay for costs incurred as of January 20th related to actions taken to “ save lives, protect public health and safety, or eliminate threat of significant damage to public and private property. ”  The Incident Period stretches to September 19th.

OMH Guidance On Background Check Process
In response to increasing concerns regarding staffing shortages related to COVID-19, the background check process required of authorized OMH programs has been temporarily modified.

Economic Impact Payments For Low Income Households
As you probably know, all low-income individuals are eligible for a $1,200 stimulus check ($2,400 for joint returns, $500 for each qualifying child) known as Economic Impact Payments. Any low-income individual who has filed a tax return in the past two years and cannot be claimed as a dependent will receive the monies automatically.

Voting remotely, the NYS Legislature has passed the SFY 20-2021 budget, which mostly mirrors what the Governor proposed in January for supportive housing. This is an unprecedented time with the state facing a great deal of uncertainty about future revenue and COVID-19-related costs. Given our current circumstances, we are grateful to the state for maintaining existing supportive housing service and development funding levels.

Here is our analysis of the various budget areas important to the supportive housing community that is included in the final budget. 

MOCS Indirect Cost Rate Initiative
Providers seeking to claim FY20 funding should complete an Entryway Choice Form no later than May 22, 2020. FY21 renewals, extensions and new contracts do not require notaries or wet signatures during COVID-19. 
Changes to HPD 9% LIHTC Applications 
Due to the current COVID health crisis, the HPD Tax Credit Application deadline has been extended from April 15th to June 1st for 9% credits. All applications, signature pages and application fees must be received by HPD no later than June 1st at 4pm. 
Below are recently re-released RFPs with upcoming deadlines. More information can be found on our Funding Guide .

NYCHA, in collaboration with HPD, invite developers to submit proposals to develop mixed-use senior housing developments in the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn and the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.
The deadline for submission is  June 2, 2020.

HPD invites developers to submit proposals to develop two affordable housing developments in Southwestern Bronx.
The deadline for submission is  April 28, 2020  (extended from April 7, 2020).
Maclain Berhaupt New Associate Executive Director
Maclain Berhaupt, who has been the Network’s State Advocacy Director for just over ten years is now the organization’s Associate Executive Director.

Maclain spearheads state policy and budget activities and works closely with our members and state government partners to prioritize supportive housing, our members and their tenants. She is an invaluable member of the Network team, please join us in congratulating Maclain!
Comings & Goings
  • William Yates is the new Director of Housing Development at Fifth Avenue Committee
If your organization has an open job listing, don't forget you can post on the Network's publicly visible Job Board ! Only nonprofit members can post, after registering for online login information .
LET'S STAY IN TOUCH.
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