Suffolk County Supportive Housing projects are eligible for substantial new funding in the recently passed New York State FY26 budget. The funding will help homeless veterans, domestic violence victims, chronically homeless families, and those with mental illness.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the availability of $45.9 million through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
This funding increase is the first increase in funding for the program since its creation in 2016.
Projects may now apply for up to $34,000 annually per unit or qualifying individual in the New York City metropolitan area, which includes all five city boroughs, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties — an increase of $9,000 over the previous rate. Developments in other areas of the state are eligible for up to $31,000 annually per unit or qualifying individual, which is an increase of $6,000 over the previous rate.
“Supportive services are a vital component of our efforts to ensure all New Yorkers have a safe, stable place to call home,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding the funding available through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, we can help individuals experiencing homelessness get the help they need to remain stably housed within their community.”
Expanding access to supportive housing statewide is part of a $25 billion five-year plan to create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 homes with support services for vulnerable populations. To date, the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative has financed supportive services and operating costs for more than 9,600 units of safe and permanent housing.
This initiative provides operating funding for supportive service providers serving homeless veterans and their families; survivors of domestic and gender-based violence; older adults who are disabled or frail; young adults with a history of incarceration, homelessness, or foster care; chronically homeless individuals and families; individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; individuals reentering the community from prison; and those living with HIV or AIDS, serious mental illness or substance use disorders.
The State Office of Mental Health serves as the lead procurement agency for the funding, which is dispersed by an interagency workgroup of eight state agencies serving vulnerable New Yorkers.
Funding may be used for rental assistance and services to eligible target populations to ensure their housing stability. Permissible uses include rental subsidies and other occupancy costs; services or staff to identify and locate eligible individuals that need housing; primary and behavioral health services; employment and vocational training; educational assistance, parenting skills development and support; child care assistance counseling and crisis intervention; children’s services, including educational advocacy, support and counseling; and costs associated with services that help individuals and families remain stably housed.
Research has shown that permanent supportive housing reduces the demand for shelters, hospital beds, emergency rooms, prisons and jails, in addition to having a positive effect on employment, school attendance and mental and physical wellbeing. Supportive housing projects can also positively impact neighborhoods through new construction or by rehabilitating existing buildings.