Welcome to the April 2016 issue of
Network News
, the Supportive Housing Network of New York's monthly e-newsletter. You'll find lead articles on a State budget update, the Mayor's 90 Day Review of Homeless Services, a guest post from Darsana Srinivasan on protecting your agency and tenants against source of income discrimination, the HUD Summit in Saratoga, the NLIHC conference in Washington, and much more. Thanks for reading!
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New York State SFY 2016-17 Budget PASSES - Major Supportive Housing Investment Included
Budget passed on April 1st.
The New York State SFY 2016-17 budget passed on April 1st. While much of the public debate this year was focused on a minimum wage increase, paid family leave, and shifts in Medicaid costs, there are several areas of the budget that will impact the supportive housing community in the upcoming year. Budget highlights of particular interest include:
NEW Multi-Year Statewide Housing Program Funded
The final budget includes $1.97 billion in capital funding for a multi-year housing program that will need to be approved by
Governor Cuomo, Temporary President of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly, and the Legislature via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) over the next few months. A portion of this capital funding supports the first 6,000 units of the Governor's 15 year commitment to build 20,000 supportive housing units across the state.
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The Mayor's 90-Day Review of the Department of Homeless Services & Proposed Reforms
The most significant change to homeless services in NYC in the last two decades.
On April 11, the Mayor announced the results of the review of the City's delivery of services to homeless individuals.
This effort, overseen by
HRA Commissioner Steve Banks and
First Deputy Mayor Tony Shorris, resulted in a comprehensive plan that includes significant programmatic and policy changes to improve the delivery of services and shifts the focus to preventing vulnerable New Yorkers from becoming homeless and rehousing those who do become homeless.
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Source of Income is a Protected Class Under NYC Human Rights Law
It is illegal in the housing market to discriminate against people based on their lawful source of income.
Guest post by
Darsana Srinivasan, Supervising Attorney, Law Enforcement Bureau, New York City Commission on Human Rights
Public assistance, including housing assistance through a variety of program subsidies and vouchers, is intended to provide individuals with mobility and access to better opportunity, yet it is often not enough to provide people with stable housing. Luckily, an individual's source of income is a protected class under the New York City Human Rights Law. The New York City Commission on Human Rights has been enforcing the source of income protection provided by the Law since its enactment in 2008.
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A Gorgeous New Residence for the Bronx
El Rio opens in East Tremont.
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Cutting the ribbon at El Rio residence.
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On a brisk spring day, Comunilife welcomed nearly 75 people to the grand opening of the El Rio Residence on Friday, April 8 in the Bronx neighborhood of East Tremont. Named in honor of the Bronx River which is just steps away, the 65 unit residence has 39 supportive and 26 affordable housing units. El Rio is Comunilife's fourth supportive housing residence in New York City.
Frances Pandolfi of Comunilife's Board of Directors delivered a warm welcome, followed by
Dr. Rosa M. Gil, Comunilife's President and CEO. Speakers also included Deputy Bronx Borough President
Aurelia Greene, OTDA Commissioner
Sam Roberts and Deputy Regional Commissioner of HUD
Mirza Orrils, who stated, "This beautiful building is creating community. These individuals' lives are better now." She expressed gratitude to Community Board 6, and highlighted the project's impact on local job creation, particularly for construction workers. Remarks were also made by HPD Assistant Commissioner
Jessica Katz, Associate Commissioner of OMH
Moira Tashjian, DOHMH Program Manager
Rebecca Seivers and CSH Director
Kristin Miller.
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HUD Summit in Saratoga Recap
Over 300 people gather including Network members.
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Bret Garwood of HCR, Liz Misa of DOH, the Network's Laura Mascuch,
Brett Hebner of OTDA, & Moira Tashjian of OMH.
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The Network was proud to sponsor the third annual HUD summit in Saratoga Springs April 10-11, 2016. Hosted by five mayors from the region, the summit featured a wide array of speakers and workshops.
Over 300 people from all across the state heard HUD Regional Administrator
Holly Leicht summarize seven years of HUD achievements, including ending veteran homelessness in Troy, Binghamton and other upstate cities, the creation of the Affirmatively Further Fair Housing rule that will give formerly incarcerated people a second chance, and the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program which helps address HUD's beleaguered public housing repair backlog. This is an uplifting story, often ignored.
Jamie Rubin, the Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, re-asserted the Governor's commitment to a robust supportive housing plan, including 6,000 units in the next five years. The Network's
Laura Mascuch moderated a panel on state supportive housing resources featuring
Moira Tashjian from OMH
, Bret Garwood from HCR,
Liz Misa from DOH, and
Brett Hebner from OTDA
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The conference featured workshops on how to end homelessness, use of Code Blue, and youth homelessness. Network members in attendance included Homeless & Travelers Aid Society, Joseph's House & Shelter Inc., CARES Inc., and WAIT House.
Cheryl Hage-Perez, Executive Director of the Saratoga County Rural Preservation Corporation, was a key member of the conference planning committee.
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Big News and Bittersweet Goodbyes at NLIHC Forum
Ms. Crowley made enormous contributions to the affordable housing movement.
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| Julian Castro, Secretary of HUD, Diane Yentel, CEO of NLIHC, Sheila Crowley, former CEO of NLIHC. |
After seventeen years of leadership, National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
CEO Sheila Crowley stepped down at this year's NLIHC Forum in early April. More than 200 people including tenants, senators, and
HUD Secretary Julian Castro joined together to bid farewell and honor Ms. Crowley's enormous contributions to the affordable housing movement, crowned by the creation and funding of the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF).
Secretary Castro used the occasion to announce that the first $176 million of NHTF funding would be released this year, $9 million of which is expected to come to New York State. Secretary Castro also announced a new initiative prohibiting the blanket use of restrictions on tenancy based on criminal history in all HUD-funded buildings including Public Housing Authorities.
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Sister Barbara Lenniger Tribute
An indomitable advocate on behalf of poor and homeless people.
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| Sister Barbara Lenniger at a ribbon cutting. |
Sister Barbara Lenniger - an indomitable advocate on behalf of poor and homeless people - passed away April 2nd - having left an indelible imprint on affordable and supportive housing in New York. A member of the Dominican Sisterhood of Sparkill, Sister Barbara spent her life working tirelessly to provide housing for the neediest New Yorkers and created one of the very first supportive housing residences for families here.
Born and raised in the Bronx - "my heart" - Sister Barbara started her career as an elementary and high school teacher and principal and served as the Coordinator of the Ministry to the Homeless in NY from 1985 to 1988. Seeing the great need for housing and shelter for homeless families, she founded Thorpe Family Residences in 1988 which provides 20 supportive apartments for families and 16 shelter units. Sister Barbara ran the organization for 25 years before retiring in 2011; Thorpe Family Residences is being run by Nazareth Housing.
In fitting tribute to Sister Barbara's legacy, the Center for Urban Community Services named their first supportive housing development the Lenniger Residences. Opened in 2011, the
92-unit, 2-building development provides homes for low-income and formerly homeless individuals and families. Sister Barbara referred to the building's opening as "one of the most wonderful days of my life."
CUCS Executive Director
Tony Hannigan reflects, "Sister Barbara was a fearless advocate for homeless families and a pragmatist about their needs. Thorpe Family Residences embodied her passion, knowledge, and determination."
We extend our deepest condolences to Sister Barbara's friends and family. She will be missed.
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Network
Jobs Board
Check out these job openings and many others on our Jobs Board. Network members can post their employment opportunities for free!
Employment and Education Specialist
for Lantern Community Services
Contract Billing Support Person for Comunilife
Chief Financial Officer for Comunilife
Chief Operating Officer for Lantern Community
Clinical Case Manager for West End Residences
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Upcoming Events
The 16th Annual Supportive Housing Conference
Save the Date: June 2, 2016
Time: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Location: The New York Marriott Marquis
Details to come soon!
Coordinating Property Management and Social Services
Date: May 10, 2016
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: CUCS
Address: 198 East 121st, New York, NY 10035
Register here.
Property managers and social service providers that work side-by-side in supportive residences can sometimes experience stressors in their partnership (whether they work for the same agency or separate agencies). Though both have the goal of maintaining tenants' well-being, each has a unique role in accomplishing that goal. This training is targeted to social service and property management staff working together in supportive housing settings. It examines the discrete roles of each of their two functions, as well as where the roles overlap. It also offers participants information regarding boundaries between roles, opportunities for quality collaboration, and how to maximize the collective work experience for best outcomes.
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Comings and Goings
Dr. David Benke is the new CEO of Lutheran Social Services, succeeding Ronald Drews.
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