(WNY News Now) – Albany – A state audit revealed critical shortcomings in the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), raising concerns over the welfare of high-risk populations and the accountability of housing providers.
An audit by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has uncovered significant deficiencies in the management of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), a program designed to provide supportive housing to vulnerable New Yorkers. The audit, which reviewed the program from January 2017 to June 2023, highlights failures in monitoring contract compliance and maintaining acceptable living conditions in some housing units.
Established in 2016, ESSHI aims to create 20,000 units of supportive housing by 2031, targeting populations experiencing homelessness. However, the audit points to concerning issues, including unqualified case managers, inadequate case management, and insufficient monitoring visits. These failures have left many residents without the services and support they need to achieve their housing goals.
Of the 81 resident case files reviewed, nearly half lacked completed Individualized Service Plans (ISPs), which are essential for addressing each resident’s specific needs. One provider employed an unlicensed case manager for over a year, a direct violation of the program’s contract requirements.
The audit also exposed physical issues at several housing units, including water leaks, faulty lighting, and accessibility problems for disabled residents. In one case, a wheelchair-bound resident was forced to leave their patio door unlocked for re-entry while the building’s accessible entry door remained unrepaired for 10 months.
The audit found that only 32 of the required 71 monitoring visits were completed, meaning less than half of the projects were properly assessed. This lack of oversight has raised concerns about the overall effectiveness of the program.
In response, auditors recommended OTDA develop more rigorous monitoring procedures, increase the frequency of provider inspections, and implement a process to track program performance through resident turnover and length-of-stay data. These measures aim to ensure that ESSHI meets its goals of providing safe and secure housing for the state’s most vulnerable populations.
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