Governor Cuomo Launches Landmark $20 Billion Plan to Combat Homelessness and Create Affordable Housing For All New Yorkers
Governor Signs Legislation Delivering $2.5 Billion to Advance the Construction and Preservation of More Than 110,000 Units of Affordable and 6,000 Units of Supportive Housing Over the Next Five YearsAction Plan Provides $7.5 Billion to Combat Homelessness and Support Shelter Programs For Our Most Vulnerable Residents in New York City and Across the State
Invests $125 Million in New Housing For Seniors; $75 Million to Improve Mitchell-Lama Properties Across New York
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently launched a landmark $20 billion, five-year
plan to combat homelessness and advance the construction of affordable
housing in New York State. The action plan is made possible by the release
of $2.5 billion in capital funding delivered in the FY 2018 Budget which
will create and preserve more than 110,000 units of affordable and 6,000
units of supportive housing over the next five years. This marks the largest
investment in the creation and preservation of affordable housing and
efforts to end homelessness in the history of New York.
"This legislation is a major step forward for New York as we strengthen
our efforts to combat homelessness and expand access to quality, affordable
housing for our most vulnerable men, women and children,"
Governor Cuomo said. "By making significant investments in rehabilitating, preserving
and constructing safe and affordable housing, we will open doors for low-income
residents and support hard-working New Yorkers in every region of the
state."
"Providing New Yorkers with truly affordable housing has long been a cornerstone for the New York State Assembly Majority’s Families First agenda," said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. "The cost of living in New York has left many of our most vulnerable residents homeless or in jeopardy of homelessness and this legislation will help us stem the tide and make meaningful change in our communities. Safe, secure and affordable housing is essential to our communities, and I would like to give special thanks to Assemblymember Cymbrowitz, chair of the Housing Committee, and to all the Assembly Majority for their continued commitment to this issue."
The new legislation provides $2.5 billion in funding to advance the Governor’s
$20 billion, multi-year homelessness and affordable housing plan. To add
critical supply to the state’s stock of affordable housing, the
plan commits $10 billion to create and preserve more than 110,000 units
across the state, including approximately 12,000 units created through
the newly enacted "Affordable New York" program formerly known
as 421-a. The plan also includes a $10 billion landmark commitment to
create 6,000 new supportive housing beds, including $7.5 billion to end
the homelessness crisis and support housing programs, rental subsidies
and other shelter costs in New York City and across the state.
By making significant investments in rehabilitating, preserving and constructing safe and affordable housing, we will open doors for low-income residents and support hard-working New Yorkers in every region of the state.
This historic investment offers a transformational blueprint to address
the diversity of housing needs in New York, strengthen protections for
tenants, and create new opportunities for low-to-moderate income households.
The capital funding delivered in the FY 2018 Budget includes:
Supportive Housing: $950 million for the construction or operation of at least 6,000 supportive
housing units throughout the state.
New Construction: $472 million for new construction or adaptive reuse of rental housing
affordable to households that earn up to 60 percent of area median income.
New York City Housing Authority: $200 million for projects and improvements related at housing developments
owned or operated by NYCHA.
NYC 100% Affordable: $100 million for the construction and preservation of 100 percent affordable
units in New York City.
Senior Housing: $125 million for developing or rehabilitating affordable housing targeted
to low-income seniors, aged 60 and above.
Rural and Urban Community Investment Fund: $45 million for mixed-use affordable housing developments that may include
retail, commercial or community development components.
Middle Income Housing: $150 million for new construction, adaptive reuse, or reconstruction of
rental housing affordable to households that earn between 60 percent and
130 percent of AMI.
Affordable Housing Preservation: $146 million for substantial or moderate rehabilitation of existing affordable
multi-family rental housing currently under a regulatory agreement.
Mitchell-Lama Rehabilitation: $75 million to preserve and improve Mitchell-Lama properties throughout
the State.
Public Housing: $125 million for substantial or moderate rehabilitation and/or the demolition
and replacement through new construction of public housing authority developments
outside of New York City.
Small Building Construction: $62.5 million for rehabilitation and/or the demolition and replacement
through new construction of buildings of 5 to 40 units.
Home Ownership: $41.5 million for promoting home ownership among families of low and moderate
income and stimulating the development, stabilization, and preservation
of New York communities.
Mobile and Manufactured Homes: $13 million for mobile and manufactured home programs.
Main Street Programs: $10 million for stimulating reinvestment in properties located within
mixed-use commercial districts located in urban, small town, and rural
areas of the state.
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative
In addition, the FY 2018 Budget continues the Governor's commitment
to provide supportive housing resources and services to address vulnerable
populations experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Launched in 2017,
ESSHI is a five-year program designed to fund the service and operating
costs of at least 6,000 units of permanent supportive housing and to better
coordinate resources from multiple-state agencies allowing more dynamic
programming and quicker implementation.
Services offered through this initiative include employment and training
opportunities, parenting education, counseling, independent living skills
training, primary healthcare, substance use disorder treatment and mental
health care, child care, and benefits advocacy are examples of what is
provided to supportive housing tenants.
In 2016, New York set a record for financing the creation or preservation
of more than 17,000 affordable homes and apartments and was the number
one bond issuer in the nation with $2.8 billion issued. New York State
Homes and Community Renewal's Unified Funding housing round awarded
more than $122 million for affordable housing in urban, suburban, and
rural areas of New York. The awards are set to build or preserve nearly
2,000 affordable apartments and leverage more than $450 million in public
and private resources.
Senator Betty Little, Chair of the Senate's Housing Committee, said, "I am very pleased with all we've accomplished in this year’s
budget for individuals and families in need of affordable housing throughout
our state. I spent many months last year and this year meeting with stakeholders
and in discussion with our partners in government. This is a lot of funding
and we wanted to get it right. By doing so, we have achieved a comprehensive
housing plan that will not only touch but, in many cases, transform lives
for the better. I am eager to see the progress made in the years ahead
as this five-year plan is implemented."
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Chair of the Assembly's Housing Committee, said, "A secure, affordable place to live is vital to every family's
health and stability. This bold plan demonstrates our commitment to funding
services and programs that help ensure that all New Yorkers, including
our most vulnerable residents, have a place to call home."
Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council
of Greater New York, said, "We're thrilled to join Governor Andrew Cuomo today to sign Affordable
New York into law. The Governor fought and won the battle to make sure
that affordable housing is built in the state of New York, and most importantly,
he made sure it will be done with highly-skilled union labor. Affordable
housing has been a major focus of this administration since day one, and
we commend Governor Cuomo for having the vision to make Affordable New
York a reality. The legislation will support good middle class jobs and
creates standards and safeguards for hard working New Yorkers. As we employ
our brothers and sisters to help build a stronger New York with these
housing units – we are also one step closer to eliminating homelessness."
Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO, said, "This legislation will not only create badly needed affordable housing,
but the men and women who do the work will be paid a fair wage that will
allow them to live in the very city they helped build. We thank Governor
Cuomo for getting all of the sides together and ensuring a fair outcome
for all parties involved."
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community
Renewal said, “Today we take a huge step forward in the fight against homelessness
and housing insecurity. This groundbreaking legislation builds on Governor
Cuomo's unwavering commitment to provide New York families with the
opportunity for a brighter future that begins with a safe, affordable
place to live. This $2.5 billion, multi-year plan will allow us to create
and preserve more than 100,000 homes for people who need them, and breathe
new life into communities throughout New York."
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner
Samuel D. Roberts said, "Governor Cuomo recognizes the need to invest in our most vulnerable
communities in order to ensure every New Yorker has a shot at achieving
a better life for themselves and their families. Supportive housing is
crucial to helping people overcome institutional and societal barriers
and I applaud the Governor for his continued commitment to this cause.”
Brenda Rosen, President and CEO of Breaking Ground, said, "Everyone deserves a home. Breaking Ground applauds Governor Cuomo
for this significant commitment that will help so many New Yorkers in
need get a second chance at life. We see the transformative effects of
safe, stable, affordable housing with on-site support every day. Breaking
Ground has helped more than 13,000 New Yorkers escape and avoid homelessness
since 1990, but our work is not done and this new $2.5 billion commitment
will help all of us do even more for our city's most vulnerable."
Laura Mascuch, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York,
said, "With this funding, New York State has demonstrated a historic commitment
to those in our state who are most vulnerable. This funding is a powerful
investment in the lives of homeless New Yorkers who long for a safe and
affordable place to live where they can take care of themselves and their
families and fully contribute to their communities. The supportive housing
community congratulates Governor Cuomo for his vision and leadership in
enacting a bold supportive and affordable housing program."
Jolie Milstein, President and CEO of New York State Association for Affordable
Housing, said, "Under Governor Cuomo's administration, New York continues to
lead the nation in providing much-needed affordable housing for low- and
middle-income families. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and the State
Legislature for their unprecedented commitment to affordable housing and
we look forward to working with stakeholders across the state to build
and preserve safe, quality homes for all New Yorkers."