Read the latest in supportive housing

The Network Meets with Over 50 Legislators in Albany

Over 140 supportive housing staff and tenants traveled to Albany on February 28th to call on the Governor and the Legislature to ensure the state commits to saving first generation supportive housing funded by the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) and investing in the supportive housing workforce, starting by including a 3.2% COLA for direct service workers in the SFY 2024-25 budget expected to be passed shortly.

The Network Hosts Inaugural Virtual City Council Lobby Day

On March 12th the Network hosted its inaugural virtual City Council Lobby Day. The Network facilitated a series of 19 meetings with City Council members and/or their staff, 16 throughout that day, and three as follow-ups, aimed at educating stakeholders about issues impacting supportive housing staff and tenants.

Community Access Opens River Avenue

On the sunny first day of spring – March 19th – friends, staff, elected officials, and supporters gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of River Avenue, Community Access’ newest supportive and affordable residence in the Concourse section of the Bronx. River Avenue has 245 apartments, a mix of studios, one, two- and three-bedrooms, 148 of which are supportive for individuals and families living with mental health concerns. On-site services are funded by OMH under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

The Network Testifies at Three City Council Preliminary Budget Hearings

On March 11th Network Associate Director of Advocacy Tierra Labrada testified at the City Council General Welfare Preliminary Budget Hearing and Network Executive Director Pascale Leone testified at the City Council Housing and Buildings Preliminary Budget Hearing. Both testimonies focused on improving the NYC 15/15 initiative, #JustPay for the human services workforce and fully staffing critical city agencies associated with developing and operating supportive housing.

Correct Crisis Intervention Today (CCIT)-NYC Hosts a Legislative Breakfast and Rally

The Network joined Correct Crisis Intervention Today (CCIT) – NYC on Tuesday, March 19th for, Peers, Policy and Pancakes, a legislative briefing for City elected officials and staff and on Thursday, March 21st for Mental Health Care Not Criminalization Rally in advance of the Mental Health Preliminary Budget Hearing.

HCR 9% Multifamily Awards Announced

New York State Homes and Community Renewal recently announced the fall 2023 9% Multifamily Awards. Supportive Housing projects featured prominently this year, 17 out of the 29 (59%) projects have ESSHI supportive housing units. Supportive housing units accounted for over 25% of the total funded units (468/1852).

HELP USA and HELPDevCo Open HELP ONE Buildings A and B

On a sunny spring March 14th, HELP USA and HELPDevCo joined elected officials and project partners to celebrate the opening of HELP ONE buildings A and B in East New York, Brooklyn. These two new affordable and supportive housing residences are creating 255 new apartments, 154 of which are supportive for young adult families and individuals who have experienced homelessness. Support services will be provided by HELP USA funded by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) through NYC 15/15.

VIP Community Services Opens Ruiz Butter House

On the afternoon of March 12th, friends and partners gathered to celebrate the opening of VIP Community Services’ Ruiz Butter House, a new supportive/affordable building providing 78 new affordable apartments on 1899 Crotona Avenue in the Bronx, 65 of which are supportive. Services and operations will be provided by VIP Community Services and funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

The Network and Members Gather to Celebrate the Past Year in Supportive Housing

On Thursday, March 7th, the Network joined over 150 members of the supportive housing community for our 2024 Annual Meeting to reflect on and celebrate the past year in accomplishments and challenges.

Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities Opens Helen M. Marshall Manor

On the rainy morning of February 2nd, Elmcor leadership, staff and tenants joined elected officials and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Helen M. Marshall Manor in Corona, Queens. This new affordable and supportive residence is creating 30 apartments: 21 supportive apartments for chronically unhoused individuals with substance use/mental health disorders and 9 apartments for low-income older adults.

ESSHI Conditional Awards Announced

On February 2nd, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the eighth round of conditional Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) awards comprised of 22 proposed projects, with 4,839 supportive units.

The Network Testifies at the New York State Senate and Assembly Joint Budget Hearing on Human Services

On January 31st Network State Advocacy Manager Steve Piasecki testified at the New York State Senate Assembly Joint Budget Hearing on Human Services to advocate for the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP). Steve stressed that NYSSHP has been left behind, providing annual service funding of just $2,964 for individuals and $3,900 for families, virtually the same per unit rate as when it began nearly 40 years ago and compared that to its successor the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), which allocates up to $25,000 per unit to cover both social services and rental assistance.