Kathy Hochul announces more than $38.6 million for supportive housing projects in New York

NEW YORK — On Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $38.6 million for housing projects in the New York City, Long Island and Southern Tier regions that will provide permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

With the support of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Housing and Homeless Assistance Program, the awards will fund the creation of 410 units to serve the previously homeless, including those with mental illness or disorders. for substance use, and survivors of domestic violence, among others.

“Permanent and supportive housing can have a transformative impact on the lives of homeless New Yorkers,” said Governor Hochul. “By funding these projects, we are able to provide the services and supports needed to help New Yorkers break the cycle of homelessness and provide them with a safe and stable place to call home.”

The grants were awarded through a competitive process by the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, a public benefit corporation serviced by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Through this program, New York State has allocated more than $1.6 billion for supportive housing development, creating more than 26,000 housing units to assist homeless individuals and families.

The awards include three projects totaling more than $20.6 million that are funded through the $128 million allocated for the program in the FY 2023 budget. With these awards, the state fully allocated these funds to projects that will build 1,093 units of permanent supportive housing, 32 new emergency housing units and will preserve one emergency housing unit.

Two projects were also awarded for a total of $17.9 million of the $128 million allocated through the FY 2024 budget. These projects are expected to collectively add 250 supportive housing units.

Recent projects that have received funding include:

• Mercy Haven, Inc. $4 million to develop eight units in Hempstead in Nassau County. Hempstead Homeless Housing will renovate two existing multi-unit residential homes on two separate sites.
• YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County, $6.6 million to develop 38 units in Binghamton in Broome County. As part of a larger project, Lisle Avenue Apartments will construct a four-story building for the residential component and will renovate an adjacent building to serve as a child care center.
• Bowery Residents’ Committee, Inc., $10 million to develop 114 units in Manhattan. Hill Top Apartments will provide supportive housing for frequent users of the New York City Health and Hospitals (H+H) system who have behavioral health issues and a history of homelessness.
• Breaking Ground II Housing Development Fund Corporation, $10 million to develop 217 units in New York City. The 1760 Third Avenue project will convert a 19-story former student dormitory in the East Harlem section of Manhattan.
• WellLife Network, Inc., $7.9 million to develop 33 units in Medford in Suffolk County. As part of a larger project, Medford Gardens will build an all-electric, accessible three-story apartment building.

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is a major component of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion, five-year comprehensive housing plan, which was initially adopted as part of the fiscal year 2023 budget. Governor Hochul’s plan will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with supportive services for vulnerable populations.

“Welcoming, safe and supportive housing is critical to recovery for people living with mental illness and addiction,” said Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health. “It provides a solid foundation on which to build their lives. The projects announced today by Governor Hochul will benefit these individuals, their families and their entire communities.”