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Resigning Cuomo Focused on Supportive, and Affordable Housing During Last Month in Office

Governor Cuomo's Flickr page

Governor Cuomo’s last day on the job is Monday. He’s been focused this month partly on affordable and supportive housing for the homeless population. Cuomo recently signed new legislation known as HONDA, the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act. It provides the state the option to offer financing to support non-profits who purchase vacant hotels and commercial space to create additional affordable housing units.

Linda Wright is the Director of Social Services for the Salvation Army’s Empire Division in Syracuse. She’s heard about these types of affordable housing projects through a case study by the National Alliance on the Homeless.

“And they did some comparison around typically how long it takes develop affordable housing projects in communities and how using available structures like hotels, motels… how much quicker the  development of those projects are.”

Wright adds she isn’t aware of any affordable housing projects in the area utilizing vacant hotels and commercial space but, suggests there could be some projects in New York City. She says the pandemic has only worsened the demand for affordable housing and it’s not easy finding the right locations to develop.

“Smaller cities where there may be a great need for affordable housing, may not have sort of the space, the sites for projects. Rural areas may have more space or more sites but, they’re not accessible for low income people… not to get to healthcare, services, everything from grocery stores to church. So, all of those things need to be taken into consideration.”

The Salvation Army is working with partners and a developer to build more housing in Buffalo on one of its existing sites.

“But, almost in all the projects we have underway, we’re looking to partner with others where we might either own the property and develop the property or we may actually be the service provider doing the supportive services.  We have a couple project we’re working on in other areas where we’re developing affordable housing for victims of domestic violence.”

Wright says the partnership varies and in Cortland and Utica where the Army is working to provide either drop-in centers or overnight shelters to keep people safe and get them off the streets. The other initiative is to ensure those who currently have housing are able to stay there.

“Making sure the pandemic or something around their work isn’t putting them at risk of losing their housing.  So, we see that as homeless or eviction prevention.  We’re working with New York State and others to share that anyone that’s eligible for rental assistance to help pay any back rent, if we can help stabilize them in their housing, then we can prevent loss and what really happens when somebody goes from housing to no home.”

Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo pledged $35 million in funding through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative to provide service and operating funds for a minimum of 1,400 supportive housing units.

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.