Governor Hochul Announces $12.6 Million for Supportive Housing Projects in Brooklyn and Buffalo

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $12.6 million in state funding has been awarded to projects in Brooklyn and Buffalo that will provide permanent supportive housing to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Supported through New York State's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, these projects will provide an additional 73 units of permanent supportive housing to serve veterans, individuals with a history of substance use disorder and individuals with serious mental illness.

"All New Yorkers deserve the dignity and security of a good home — especially the vulnerable and those who have served our nation honorably," Governor Hochul said. "These projects, like many others supported by this program, will provide critical services that individuals who have experienced homelessness can use to break patterns of housing insecurity. Here in New York, we take care of one another and these projects are a manifestation of that commitment."

The projects approved include Manhattan Village, a $23.4 million development in Buffalo that will provide 66 units of affordable housing, including 33 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals with substance use disorder or a serious mental illness. Developed by BestSelf Behavioral Health Inc., the project is receiving $6.1 million from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and operating expenses through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

Also approved was a $39.6 million 66-unit development in Brooklyn that will provide 40 units of supportive housing for individuals with a serious mental illness and veterans. Developed by Concern for Independent Living, Inc., the project includes 40 units of permanent supportive housing and will receive $6.4 million from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and Assistance Program and operating expenses through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program made available $128 million in capital funding 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.