(WNY News Now) – New York – New York State has announced the allocation of over $86 million to fund 11 projects aimed at creating and preserving 513 units of supportive, emergency, and transitional housing across various counties.

New York State Governor Hochul has declared a significant victory in the ongoing battle against homelessness with the announcement of more than $86 million in funding for 11 housing projects. This substantial investment, aimed at creating and preserving supportive, emergency, and transitional housing units, underscores the state’s unwavering commitment to addressing the housing crisis.

Governor Hochul expressed her administration’s top priority in expanding the state’s supply of permanent affordable housing, coupled with easy access to support services. These projects, scattered across Chenango, Cortland, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, Oneida, Orange, Ulster, and Bronx Counties, are poised to offer safe and stable homes to vulnerable New Yorkers, including homeless veterans and survivors of domestic violence.

The grants, awarded through a rigorous competitive process by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), are a pivotal component of Governor Hochul’s ambitious $25 billion Housing Plan. This comprehensive initiative aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, with a particular focus on providing support services for vulnerable populations, totaling 10,000 units.

Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance commended Governor Hochul’s unwavering commitment to increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing. She highlighted the transformative potential of supportive housing in empowering families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Upon completion, these projects funded through OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program will provide housing security and targeted on-site support services to hundreds of vulnerable New Yorkers.

The allocation of more than $86 million marks a significant milestone, with HHAP having committed the entire $128 million provided in the FY 2024 Budget, along with over $50 million from the FY Enacted 2025 Budget. The funding distribution, detailed below, showcases the diverse range of organizations and counties benefiting from this initiative:

• Catholic Charities of Chenango County: $2 million
• Dutchess County Department of Social Services: $13 million
• Cortland Housing Assistance Council: $2 million
• Rochester Housing Authority, Monroe County: $4.5 million
• WellLife Network, Inc., Bronx County: $9.9 million
• Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc., Orange County: $4.9 million
• Samaritan Daytop Village, Inc., Bronx County: $15 million
• Unique People Services, Inc., Bronx County: $10 million
• The Utica Center for Development, Inc., Oneida County: $10 million
• RUPCO, Inc., Ulster County: $15 million
• Friends of Little Portion Friary, Erie County: $150,000*

Each allocation is strategically aimed at addressing the unique housing needs of the respective counties, ensuring equitable access to safe and supportive housing solutions.

The announcement of this substantial funding injection signals a significant step forward in New York State’s efforts to combat homelessness and provide vital support to those in need. With the promise of over 500 new units of supportive, emergency, and transitional housing, the state claims it is taking decisive action to break the cycle of homelessness and create a brighter future for all its residents.