New York State Announces $4 Million Awarded to Preserve Homeless Housing in New York State

State Funding Will Rehabilitate and Preserve 45 Units of Permanent Supportive and Transitional Housing in the Bronx and Jefferson County

Supplements New York State's Ongoing Efforts to Address Homelessness and Expand and Permanent Supportive Housing Options Across the State

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)today announced $4 million has been awarded to two projects that will rehabilitate and preserve 45 units, consisting of 75 beds, of permanent supportive and transitional housing in the Bronx and Jefferson County for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness.

"Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State has made landmark investments to develop and preserve supportive, transitional, and emergency housing across the state, recognizing that stable housing is key to supporting vulnerable New Yorkers, fighting homelessness, and uplifting communities," New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said. "These funding awards are critical to our ongoing efforts to increase the supply of supportive housing by preserving and stabilizing older supportive housing units so that they can remain a vital resource to their residents and communities for many years to come."

The grants-awarded through a competitive process by OTDA's Homeless Housing and Assistance (HHAP) Program-are an important component of Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations. The two projects awarded funding are existing projects funded by HHAP that provide housing with on-site support services to individuals and families who have experienced homelessness.

The SFY 2025-2026 State Budget included a $153 million appropriation for HHAP, with $25 million set aside for the stabilization of existing HHAP projects that meet certain criteria, to shore up the existing supply of supportive housing units. These are the first funding awards from that $25 million.

The projects awarded funding include:

North Country

Neighbors of Watertown, Inc. (NOWI) - $2 million in HHAP Stabilization funds to substantially rehabilitate 28 permanent supportive housing units/beds for homeless individuals in Watertown at Burdick Apartments. This is an existing HHAP project which includes 22 single room occupancy units; six other one-bedroom units in the building will become HHAP units, bringing the project total to 28 units/beds. The project involves the substantial rehabilitation of the interior and exterior of the building, including upgrading unit kitchens and bathrooms, improving building mechanical, utility, plumbing, and electrical systems, installation of an additional elevator, a roof replacement, masonry work, and window replacements.

Support services are provided by NOWI and include case management, benefit assistance, daily living skills support, budgeting and money management training, vocational and educational support, and referrals for substance use counseling.

In 1985, Burdick Apartments was the first supportive housing project in New York State to receive operating funding for supportive services through the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP), which is overseen by OTDA. NOWI has been providing support services to tenants with the assistance of OTDA for 40 years.

New York City

Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (VIP) - $2 million in HHAP Stabilization funds for the moderate rehabilitation of one of their transitional housing projects. This is an existing HHAP operational project which includes 17 units/47 beds of transitional housing for families in the Bronx.

This project involves the moderate rehabilitation of the interior and exterior of the building, including full roof replacement with insulation, repairing deteriorating facades, upgrades to the mechanical systems such as the boiler and ventilation system, floor replacement, drywall repair, and patching/painting ceilings.

Support services are provided by VIP and include case management, monthly town hall meetings, food program with emergency assistance, assistance with benefits, and referrals to clinics and other programs as needed. VIP also has a rapid re-housing program to assist with locating subsidized permanent housing.

Neighbors of Watertown, Inc. (NOWI) Executive Director Reginald J Schweitzer Jr. said, "HHAP funding has been instrumental in this project dating back to 1995 when they first helped to create the units. This reinvestment in the property shows the commitment of NYS OTDA to assist individuals in our community, and Neighbors of Watertown is pleased to continue participating in the program."

Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (VIP) Executive Director Margarita Guzman said, "When Violence Intervention Program first opened the doors to Casa Sandra 20+ years ago, it immediately became a lifesaving refuge for survivors of domestic violence and their children who needed a safe place to turn to when fleeing abuse. With this award from HHAP, we are able to rehabilitate and repair this beloved sanctuary and continue providing a safe and healthy home environment to our survivor community. This extraordinary investment could not have come at a better time for our aging building. We thank the team and board at HHAP for your leadership and partnership to end homelessness for all New Yorkers."