Governor Hochul Announces $12.3 Million for Homeless Housing in the Capital Region and Western New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $12.3 million has been awarded to construct housing for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness in Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Chautauqua counties. Funded through the state's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, these projects will create or preserve 134 units of permanent supportive housing, 14 units of transitional housing, and seven units of emergency housing.

"Ensuring that New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing is a fundamental necessity in the fight against homelessness," Governor Hochul said. "Homeless women and children, often fleeing circumstances of abuse or domestic violence, are among our state's most vulnerable populations. These projects represent a substantial investment toward ensuring they not only have a safe, reliable place to call home, but also have the resources they need to begin building a better life."

One of the projects receiving funding is Harbor House, a $19.5 million development by the YWCA of Northeastern New York in Schenectady that will create 54 units and 62 beds of permanent supportive housing for women and their families. The plans call for new construction of a three-story building on the YWCA's campus in the Stockade District that will be adjacent to the YWCA's main administrative building, allowing tenants convenient access to staff and services. More than $5.6 million was awarded to the YWCA for construction of the project and operating expenses will be provided through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region is receiving more than $2.8 million for the substantial rehabilitation of an existing supportive housing development in the city of Troy. This $3.1 million project will preserve 80 units of permanent supportive housing and 14 units of transitional housing for women and children.

The Salvation Army in Jamestown received $3.8 million to relocate an existing emergency shelter that includes construction of a new two-story building with seven units and 19 beds. This $4.8 million project will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, create six additional beds and allows services staff to have offices in the same building.

"This funding will have a tremendous impact on these communities and their efforts to address homelessness," Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Executive Deputy Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said. "Governor Hochul recognizes the importance of emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing in helping those in need get back on their feet."

"I thank Governor Hochul for her efforts and support to assist those who are homeless in Chautauqua County," Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said. "I am proud of the combined efforts between the county and private partners to expand social services for our residents. This funding will further support The Salvation Army of Jamestown as it helps individuals in our communities obtain emergency shelter until they are able to transition into safe and stable housing."

"The availability of safe and affordable housing can be a life-saving option for vulnerable individuals and families in crisis," Troy Mayor Patrick Madden said. "This funding is crucial to preserving much-needed supportive housing in our community to bring stability for those in need. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for the state's support and to the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region for its leadership on this important project."

"Addressing issues of homelessness has been a top priority for our administration," Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said. "The ANEW Center has a long-standing history of providing emergency shelter to thousands of women and their children to transition from a cycle of abuse to safe, stable housing. This proposed facility would provide reliable housing for our community's defenseless victims of domestic violence. We thank Governor Hochul for ensuring our women and children will have a safe and supportive place to stay."

"I would like to thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in making this critical investment to increase access to safe and affordable housing for women and their families in Schenectady," Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said. "The YWCA is a beacon of safety for our most vulnerable community members, and we are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul and the state's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program for their indispensable support of that mission."

"YWCA Northeastern NY is grateful to New York State for funding our expansion project, Harbor House, to give hope, housing and much-needed services to women and their families in a safe, dignified setting along the Mohawk River in Schenectady," YWCA of Northeastern New York CEO Kim Siciliano said. "This three-plus year journey has only reinforced how much additional supportive housing is needed in our community. We look forward to getting this project underway, which will further solidify YWCA NENY's 133-year history in our communities empowering all women with affordable housing options."

"These funds will allow us to make major capital improvements to our historic building, ensuring the safety and security of our residents and staff for another century," YWCA of the Greater Capital Region Executive Director Starletta Smith said. "We are thrilled to begin these necessary updates that will keep us on our mission serving women and children in our community."

"We are extremely grateful for this award because it is our mission to do 'the most good,'" said Major John Merchant, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army of Jamestown. "We are dedicated to serving our community members, especially the most vulnerable among us."

Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program made $128 million in capital funding available for projects proposing to build supportive housing units or to repair emergency shelters. So far this year, the program has allocated nearly $25 million to eight projects that will create or preserve 213 units of supportive housing and repair emergency shelters throughout the state. Last year, the program provided funding to 30 projects that will add 881 units of supportive housing and repair emergency shelters.

The Homeless Housing Assistance Program provides capital grants and loans to not-for-profit corporations, charitable and religious organizations, and municipalities to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate housing for persons who are unable to secure adequate housing without special assistance. The grants are awarded through a competitive process by the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, a public benefit corporation staffed by OTDA.

Through this program, New York State has appropriated more than $1.2 billion toward the development of supportive housing. In total, the program has created more than 22,000 units of housing to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.