Governor Hochul Announces More Than $20 Million for Supportive Housing Projects

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $20.1 million for housing projects in the New York City region to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness and to fund repairs at an emergency shelter in Albany County. Supported by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the four developments will provide 423 units to serving formerly homeless individuals, including those with a mental illness or substance use disorder, among others.

"We have an obligation to ensure all New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing - especially the most vulnerable among us," Governor Hochul said. "By creating more supportive housing and providing critical funding to repair emergency shelters, we can help individuals who experience homelessness get the assistance they need to stabilize their lives."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said "The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program provides critical funding for supportive housing and repairs for emergency shelters, which are both fundamental components in our efforts to end the cycle of homelessness. These latest awards reflect Governor Hochul's continued commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable housing and meaningfully addressing homelessness in our state."

The grants were awarded through a competitive process by the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, a public benefit corporation staffed by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Through this program, New York State has appropriated more than $1.5 billion toward the development of supportive housing. In total, the program has created more than 25,000 units of housing to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

With these latest awards, the program has committed more than $77 million of the funding provided in the FY 2023 Budget. The latest projects awarded funding include:

• Breaking Ground, $4.2 million to replace the heating system and backup generator for a converted hotel property located in Brooklyn that will provide 305 units of supportive housing for individuals living with a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder.
• Fortune Society, Inc., $9 million to develop 59 units of permanent supportive housing in Manhattan for justice-involved individuals experiencing homelessness. This project will significantly rehabilitate a seven-story building to provide tenants with a community room, commercial-grade kitchen, laundry room, small backyard, and complimentary internet access.
• Transitional Services for New York, Inc., $4 million to construct a nine-story building, with 30 units of permanent supportive housing to serve individuals living with a serious mental illness in Jamaica, Queens County. Support services offered will include case management, service coordination, medication management, money management, independent living skills development, budgeting, cleaning, and other critical skills.
• Geel Community Services, Inc., $2.8 million to preserve 29 units of permanent supportive housing in the Bronx for homeless individuals living with a serious mental illness. Support services will include case management services, which encompass resources to aid employment skills and job readiness, ensure proper access to medical care including primary and specialty health care providers, preventative health services, psychiatric and psychological services, and substance use treatment.

In addition, the Altamont Program, Inc. was awarded $100,000 to conduct repairs at the Schuyler Inn, an emergency shelter in Albany County.

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is an important component of Governor Hochul's $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan, which was adopted as part of the FY 2023 Budget and is aimed at creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations. Governor Hochul's FY 2024 Budget continues $128 million in capital funding for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Governor Hochul's commitment to supportive housing is providing thousands of individuals and families with the opportunity to live safely and productively in their own community. Stable housing with integrated services is critical for individuals who are living with mental illness and making their way on the path towards recovery."

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, "This funding, particular the award for Breaking Ground, will provide critical services for some of New York's the most vulnerable families and individuals.d I am proud to stand with Governor Hochul as she continues to provide support and resources for unhoused individuals, and those with substance use disorder. We know that safe housing is critical to helping individuals maintain their health."

State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, "I'm delighted to see this $20.1 million HHAP investment that will provide 423 new units of safe and permanent supportive housing, some of which will be in the Borough of Brooklyn. HHAP-funded housing units have helped New Yorkers in communities across our state live with dignity and the supports they need."

Assemblymember Maritza Davila said, "New York City has been dealing with a housing crisis for many years, and the need for supportive housing is extremely critical. There's a revolving door for homeless families to get proper care and services because the shelters are flooded. These individuals are actively look for permanent housing and this particular funding will bring us a step forward to ensure families have access to a system that will tend to their needs. We also need to be mindful of mental illness and how that correlates to homelessness and crime. I'm looking forward to what the 423 units will provide but we still have a long road ahead."

Breaking Ground President and CEO Brenda Rosen said, "Breaking Ground is proud to partner with Governor Hochul and OTDA to develop and preserve supportive and affordable housing for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Funding from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program will help us to make critical upgrades to the heating and resiliency systems at 90 Sands and ensure that the building remains a beacon of hope for hundreds of formerly homeless and low-income households for decades to come."

The Fortune Society President and CEO JoAnne Page said, "We are deeply appreciative of and excited by the announcement that our Castle IV Residence application has been funded by HHAP. This important project will convert a beautiful Upper West Side building that was formerly used as an illegal hotel into permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness with prior criminal justice involvement and for community residents in need of deeply affordable housing. The Fortune Society has a long history with HHAP, which funded our first Castle residence more than 20 years ago. We value HHAP and its dedicated, extraordinary leadership and staff as an outstanding partner that shares our values to house people experiencing housing insecurity and to set them on the path to a more successful future."

Transitional Services for New York Inc. CEO Larry S. Grubler said, "Supportive housing provides the vital services and stable environment that can help individuals with serious mental illness break cycles of homelessness. Our award through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is an important component in our efforts to expand supportive housing in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens. We commend Governor Hochul for making supportive housing a priority of her administration and for helping these important projects get underway both in New York City and throughout our state."

Geel Community Services, Inc. Executive Director Maria Matias said, "From offering job readiness skills to ensuring proper access to medical care, the supportive services provided by Geel are designed to help individuals living with serious mental illness maintain stable housing and continue living in independent settings. With funding through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, we will be able to undertake significant repairs and improvements to preserve 29 apartments in the Bronx that have helped prevent these individuals from experiencing homelessness. Governor Hochul's commitment to this program demonstrates her true resolve toward addressing housing instability in our state, including for those grappling with serious mental illness."

Altamont Program Executive Director Peter Kelsey said, "The Schuyler Inn fills a crucial role in Albany County by providing safe, clean rooms in a welcoming environment for individuals and families in need of temporary shelter. With funding through the state's Homeless Housing and Program, we will be able to replace exterior staircases and conduct other necessary maintenance to this facility. We applaud Governor Hochul's continued support for this important program and for providing the support to ensure the Schuyler Inn can continue serving those who experience homelessness in our community."