State Capital Funding to Help Create 251 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing for Formerly Homeless New Yorkers

Funding is Part of the Governor's $25 Billion Five-Year Housing Plan to Address Homelessness

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $30.6 million in state funding has been awarded to six housing projects in four counties that will provide permanent supportive housing to New Yorkers who have experienced homelessness. Supported by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, these developments will create 251 apartments to serve senior citizens, domestic violence victims, veterans and chronically homeless families as well as individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder, among others. One existing emergency shelter was also awarded funding for emergency repairs.

"This funding is a critical part of my administration's efforts to expand access to quality, affordable housing across our state and to help provide safe, secure homes for some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition to help address homelessness and ensure that formerly homeless individuals and families can not only keep a roof over their heads, but can easily access support services to bring stability to their lives."

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is an important component of Governor Hochul's comprehensive plan to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable throughout New York. In the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget, the Governor successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

The Budget continues $128 million in capital funding for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program to build new supportive housing units or repair existing emergency shelters.

The projects awarded funding include:

    HELP Development Corp. was awarded $7.9 million to construct 80 units of permanent supportive housing serving veterans and their families, individuals re-entering the community after incarceration, and individuals with a serious mental illness or a substance use disorder in Rochester, Monroe County.

    Comunilife, Inc. was awarded $5.9 million to help construct a 10-story building in the Bronx that will include 50 units of permanent supportive housing for senior citizens who have experienced homelessness.

    DePaul Properties, Inc. was awarded $5.5 million for the construction of three scattered site buildings that will include 35 units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and senior citizens in Rochester, Monroe County.

    Helio Health was awarded $4.9 million for the gut rehabilitation of a three-story building in Binghamton, Broome County that will include 54 units of permanent supportive housing for veterans and individuals with mental illness or substance use disorder.

    HELP Development Corp. was awarded $3.1 million to help construct a five-story building in Brooklyn that will include eight units and 24 beds of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless families.

    PathStone was awarded $3.1 million for the new construction of a two-story building in the Town of Gates, Monroe County that will include 24 units and 40 beds of permanent supportive housing to serve individuals with a substance use disorder, serious mental illness, and survivors of domestic violence and their children.

    United Veterans Beacon House was awarded $85,504 to make repairs to a 15-bed emergency shelter in Suffolk County.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "Funding from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program has been critical in ensuring that supportive housing, fundamental to ending the cycle of homelessness, is there to help our neighbors in need build a foundation for a better future. Governor Hochul has made a strong statement in support of these efforts by committing the resources necessary to help address the homelessness and housing crises."

State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, "I'm thrilled to see another successful round of HHAP investments delivering 251 new units of safe and permanent supportive housing for vulnerable New Yorkers, a portion of which will be in Brooklyn. Continued investments in supportive housing will ensure that New Yorkers are integrated into their communities and live with dignity."

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, "The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program has enabled New York State to make much-needed investments to expand our stock of supportive housing. As we work to combat the intertwined homelessness and affordable housing crises, the need for supportive housing statewide has never been greater. Vulnerable communities, including seniors, domestic violence survivors, formerly homeless individuals and those battling a substance use disorder or mental illness, are counting on the state to quickly build more supportive housing. Today's announcement of the creation of 251 additional units of supportive housing will go a long way in helping individuals in these communities access safe and secure housing."

Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone said, "Suffolk County residents deserve a safe and affordable place to call home. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to addressing homelessness and ensuring those most in need are provided access to critical services and resources."

Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello said, "Governor Hochul's priorities once again align with our needs in Monroe County. The creation of three permanent supportive housing sites in Monroe County fills a critical need in our community. I am grateful to DePaul, HELP Development, and Pathstone for their continued investment in the people of Rochester and Monroe County."

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, "This is great news in our effort to fight the opioid epidemic in Broome County and I want to thank Governor Hochul for the critical funding to make this important project happen. Helio Health is a great community healthcare partner, and has played a key role in helping people recover from substance use disorders in our community ever since they opened up a new treatment center at the former Broome Developmental Campus in 2018. This new project will help provide much needed supportive housing and recovery services to families in Broome County and we again thank Governor Hochul for all of her support and assistance."

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, “Today’s announcement is a significant step forward towards addressing housing insecurity in our Borough, City and State,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Governor Hochul’s investment of more than $30.6 million in state funding for permanent supportive housing will ensure our most vulnerable New Yorkers are able to live with dignity in safe and quality housing and demonstrates her commitment to housing equity.”

HELP Development Corp. President David Cleghorn said, "HELP Development Corp. and our service partners are excited to be working with OTDA on these important projects. The HHAP program is critical to allowing supportive housing developers like us to create critical and important housing. We thank Governor Hochul and the dedicated staff at OTDA for their support of these projects. We would not be able to build them without these critical dollars."

Comunilife President and CEO Dr. Rosa M. Gil said, "Successful supportive and affordable housing programs require collaboration between local non-profits and our government partners. With financial support from OTDA, Comunilife is developing 83 units of housing for low-income seniors in the Bronx. When completed the St. Barnabas/Tiebout Avenue Residence will provide 83 new units of housing for a population that deserves a safe, affordable and life affirming place to live."

DePaul President Mark H. Fuller said, "DePaul is grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program for assisting DePaul in increasing our ability to provide permanent supportive housing where residents can access the support services they require to live successfully. We look forward to changing even more lives for individuals in Rochester by offering housing stability for the most vulnerable populations including those who are chronically homeless and senior citizens."

Helio Health, Inc. President and CEO Jeremy Klemanski said, "This funding is critical to bring 54 units of the larger project consisting of 108 units of affordable housing to the Southern Tier. Housing is such a critically important part of the journey to wellness and economic opportunity."

PathStone Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Castro said, "PathStone is thrilled to be working with the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County and the Gates Presbyterian Church to provide much needed affordable and supportive housing options. Thank you, Governor Hochul and New York State for providing PathStone with this critical funding. Churchview Commons will create 45 energy efficient new homes and this funding is an important milestone in addressing a need in the community and bringing the development to reality."

United Veterans Beacon House President and CEO Frank Amalfitano said, "Beacon House is pleased to receive this grant award to improve and update our Suffolk County emergency shelter. The rehabilitation will have a meaningful impact on homeless Long Islanders needing a safe, welcoming place to stay in their time of crisis."

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 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.