The Network Responds to Recent Press Coverage on Arrears in Supportive Housing
There have been multiple media reports in recent weeks about nonprofit supportive housing providers engaging in legal proceedings to address record-high rent arrears among tenants. Rent arrears is pervasive and has reached crisis levels since the pandemic not just in our community, but also in affordable and public housing, impacting thousands of New Yorkers across the five boroughs. 
Services for the UnderServed Opens Jerome Court
On May 24th, Services for the UnderServed (S:US) and Bronx Pro Group along with government and project partners held a housewarming for their newly re-built supportive/affordable residence Jerome Court, in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx. The new building has 105 supportive and 69 affordable apartments for individuals and families, with services provided by S:US through funding under NYC 15/15 through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The Network Joins HSC and 6K Human Services Workers to Rally for #JustPay
On May 25th the Network joined the Human Services Coalition (HSC) alongside over 6,000 human services workers for a #JustPay rally to advocate for a 6.5% COLA for the sector in the City’s final budget. The rally took place as part of HSC’s Day Without Human Services where organizations across the City shut down 30% of their programs to demonstrate solidarity in advocating for the COLA after the administration had been unresponsive to the calls of the sector.
The Network Joins Correct Crisis Intervention Today NYC for a #PeersNotPolice Budget Rally
On May 15th the Network joined members of the Correct Crisis Intervention Today-NYC (CCIT-NYC) coalition for a #PeersNotPolice Budget Rally outside City Hall in advance of a joint executive budget hearing held by the Health, Finance and Mental Health, Disabilities and Addictions committees to urge City Council to fund a non-police mental health crisis response.
Services for the UnderServed Opens Alabama Avenue
On a sunny Wednesday, May 10th Services for the UnderServed (S:US) joined project partners and elected officials for a housewarming celebration of Alabama Avenue. Alabama Avenue brings 71 apartments, of which 43 are supportive, to East New York, Brooklyn. On-site services will be provided by Services for the UnderServed funded by NYC 15/15 through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH).
The Network Testifies at Two NYC City Council Committee Hearings
On May 4th, Network Associate Director of Engagement and Communications Joelle Ballam-Schwan testified at a hearing of the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction Mental Health hearing regarding the Council’s Mental Health Roadmap.
The Network Celebrates May Awareness Months
The Network celebrated May awareness months: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Older Americans Month. In honor of AAPI Month, the Network spotlighted Asian American leaders in supportive housing: Brenda Tong, Deputy Executive Director at New Destiny Housing, Kelsey Louie, CEO of The Door and Lydia Tom, Senior Advisor at Enterprise Community Partners and founder of AAFE.

May Community Corner
As we close out Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we hope you can check out this video, detailing the history of a groundbreaking New York nonprofit, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE): https://www.aafe.org/who-we-are/our-history. 

Join us Thursday June 29th for the 21st Annual New York State Supportive Housing Conference, the largest supportive housing conference in the nation. This year, we are delighted to have Alok Vaid-Menon as our keynote speaker. Alok (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition.

Comings & Goings
  • Rick Umholtz is the new Deputy Commissioner at OTDA
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