$25M In Homeless Housing Grants

A man sleeping on the street of The Bowery in Manhattan.

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that nearly $25 million has been awarded to fund homeless housing projects and related support services throughout the State. Six organizations will share in the funding that will support the creation of more than 500 housing units.

“Adequate housing is often the first essential step to helping struggling individuals and families move toward economic security,” Governor Paterson said. “The supportive housing that will be provided through these new projects will help some of our most vulnerable citizens by addressing the root causes of homelessness and setting them on a path to self-sufficiency. These projects will also have the added benefits of creating jobs and helping to revitalize our communities.”

This funding will support 514 housing units and 667 beds for families and individuals in New York City, Rochester and Troy. The support services available at these sites will assist veterans and people with substance abuse problems, mental illness and physical disabilities.

The four projects in New York City include 223 units being created under the New York/New York III agreement, through which New York State and New York City agreed to bring more supportive housing units into communities to address the problem of chronic homelessness among individuals and families.

A total of $24.9 million is being provided by OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP). HHAP provides capital grants and loans to not-for-profit corporations, charitable and religious organizations, municipalities and public corporations to acquire, construct or rehabilitate housing for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and are unable to secure adequate housing without special assistance.

HHAP meets a distinct need in New York by providing funding to develop housing for various special needs populations. Since the program’s inception, it has assisted in the development of housing for families, adolescents, persons in recovery, mentally ill individuals, persons living with HIV/AIDS, individuals recently released from incarceration and veterans. HHAP is designed to help all families and individuals move out of homelessness and poverty and achieve the highest level of independence possible.

New York State, through HHAP, has been at the forefront in recognizing the value of providing supported housing for homeless families and individuals. HHAP has been utilized successfully by community organizations to develop more than 13,000 units of housing in New York State. In many instances, HHAP is the only State resource available to fund the capital development of these types of projects.

A list of awardees follows in county - agency - award  format:
 
Bronx - Postgraduate Center for Mental Health - $2,938,079
Kings - HELP Development Corporation - $4,869,485
Kings - Common Ground Community $5,580,554
Kings - Concern for Independent Living $5,572,614
Monroe - Eastman Commons $3,000,000
Rensselaer - Joseph’s House and Shelter $3,033,194