Welcome to the March 2016 issue of
Network News
, the Supportive Housing Network of New York's monthly e-newsletter. You'll find lead articles on the Network's lobby day in Albany, a guest post from Allison Sesso on HSC's recent report, a legislative breakfast in Staten Island, and much more. Thanks for reading!
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Network/HSU Lobby Day and State Budget Update
Over 100 Network members came to Albany on March 8th.
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Network members, tenants, and staff meet with Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi (left) and Senator Cathy Young (right).
Over 100 Network members came to Albany on March 8th to call on the Legislature to ensure that the state commits adequate resources towards the first phase of the Governor's plan to build 20,000 units of supportive housing statewide over 15 years. We met with over ninety legislators and staff to ask for support for both this new supportive housing program while also advocating for critically important existing services and housing programs currently serving formerly homeless individuals and families.
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Staten Island Mental Health Council Hosts Community and Legislative Priorities Breakfast
Mental health initiatives are the focus of the event.
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Left to right: Dr. Ginny Mantello, Borough Director of Health and Wellness, Assembly Member Mike Cusick, Larry Hochwald, Co-Chair of the Staten Island Mental Health Council, Linda Wilson, Executive Director of NAMI-Staten Island Chapter, the Network's Executive Director Laura Mascuch, District Attorney Michael McMahon, and Terry Troia, Executive Director, Project Hospitality.
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In the wake of the City and State's recent commitments to creating 35,000 units of supportive housing over the next 15 years, Project Hospitality Executive Director
Terry Troia invited Network Executive Director
Laura Mascuch to present on supportive housing to this year's Annual Staten Island Mental Health Council's Community and Legislative Priorities Breakfast on Friday, March 4th. Some 200 stakeholders discussed the Council's agenda next year which will focus on the importance of creating supportive housing for homeless Staten Islanders struggling with mental illness; the need for funding for children's mental health services; and the need for employment support for Island residents living with mental illness.
On hand were
Assembly Member Michael Cusick,
Assembly Member Matthew Titone and
District Attorney Michael McMahon as well as representatives from the offices of
Senator Diane Savino,
Public Advocate Letitia James,
Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis, and
Council Member Debi Rose.
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Tax Program Crackdown Spurs $10 Million for Affordable/Supportive Housing
Announcement by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General
Eric T. Schneiderman.
On March 10th, at Institute for Community Living's (ICL) Stepping Stone residence in Brooklyn,
Mayor Bill de Blasio and
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that $10 million in settlement fees from abuses of 421a will be invested in affordable housing including 600 units of supportive and senior housing citywide. In 2014, the Attorney General led an investigation into the abuse of tax incentive programs, leading to restitution from 23 landlords who failed to provide rent-regulated leases, violated tenant rights laws and denied service workers required wages. Restitution will be spent on supportive housing for veterans, seniors, low-income families and the formerly homeless.
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Nonprofits Need to Aggressively Identify, Assess and Address Risk
Government contracts rarely cover the full costs of service sector contracts new study finds.
Guest post by
Allison Sesso, Executive Director, Human Services Council of NY
New York's nonprofit human services providers deliver essential services that help people live stable and productive lives. The government transfers these support functions to the more efficient and nimble nonprofit sector in order to save on costs. For the current fiscal year, the combined value of government human services contracts in New York is estimated at more than $5.8 billion.
Supportive housing is a clear example of this model. By providing holistic, innovative programs, supportive housing organizations reduce public spending on costly emergency interventions like hospital and shelters, and help maximize the human potential of countless individuals.
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HCR is looking to our community for excellent candidates.
In anticipation of the passage of Governor Cuomo's historic $10 billion proposal to create and preserve 100,000 affordable housing units across the state over five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is hiring and is looking to our community for excellent candidates.
Commissioner Jamie Rubin says "It is an exciting time at HCR. The Governor has made an unprecedented commitment in the Executive budget to housing. We are working feverishly to double down on programs that we already do and, where needed, to modify them to respond to the need across New York. The team at HCR is excellent and committed to HCR's core mission. We look forward to expanding it."
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New York Members of Congress Support Funding Increases to End Homelessness
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n partnership with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
A bi-partisan group of New York Representatives signed on to a budget request in support of $2.664 billion in funding for the Continuum of Care program, as called for in the President's Executive Budget.
NY Senator Gillibrand led the effort on the Senate side, joined by Senator Schumer.
In the House, twelve members from New York supported this effort:Clarke (NYC); Rangel (NYC); Velazquez (NYC); Maloney (NYC); Meeks (NYC); Engel (NYC); Higgins (Buffalo);Tonko (Capital); Slaughter (Rochester); Gibson (Hudson Valley); Hanna Utica/Binghamton); Nadler (NYC). In addition, two of the three Republicans in support were from New York State.
Both the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees will begin drafting a budget. The Network will be in Washington early next month to meet with elected officials to thank them for their support and continue the fight for full funding.
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Retired Executive Director of Seattle's Downtown Emergency Service Center, passed away March 4th.
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Bill Hobson of Seattle's Downtown Emergency Service Center.
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Deputy Director at the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Richard Cho remembers supportive housing champion
Bill Hobson. Richard and Bill presented on Housing First at the Network's 2007 Conference.
On March 4, 2016, Bill Hobson, retired Executive Director of Seattle's Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC), passed away in his home at the age of 76, survived by his family and the legacy of having proven beyond all reasonable doubt that anyone, no matter how ill or troubled, can achieve a new life in a home of their own.
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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!
Executive Director
for Homeless Services United
Senior Camp Counselor for Henry Street Settlement
Workshop Facilitator for Henry Street Settlement
Head Cook for Henry Street Settlement
Building Manager
for
WSFSSH
Social Worker for Goddard Riverside
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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!
Trauma and its Aftermath, Part Two
Date: March 30, 2016
Time:
9:30am-3:30pm
Location: CUCS
Address: 198 East 121 Street, 5th Floor, NYC 10035
Register here.
Understanding Supported Employment
Date: April 19, 2016
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: CUCS
Address: 198 East 121st, New York, NY 10035
Register here.
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.
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News Clips
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Comings and Goings
After a two year stint, Jason Lippman left Amida Care as their Director of Public Policy and Government Relations and returns to the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies as their Executive Vice President, effective March 21st. Mr. Lippman spent nearly six years with the Coalition as their Director of Advocacy prior to his work with Amida Care.
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Member News
In October 2015
SUS received a Center for Substance Abuse and Treatment grant from SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) to provide housing to 150 homeless individuals including chronically-homeless veterans. The grant will also help chronically-homeless non-veterans who have a history of substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. The program will assist 105 veterans and 45 non-veterans into secure housing in NYC.
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