Supportive Housing Programs

Capital and Service Operating Funding

The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) is a multi–agency initiative to provide service and operating funding aimed at creating or preserving over 100,000 affordable, and 6,000 supportive housing units. The third phase will provide $30 million in service and operating funding for 1,200 units of supportive housing statewide for persons identified as homeless with special needs, conditions and/or other life challenges. Projects of 15 or more ESSHI qualifying individuals, with 30 or more units in total, will set aside 25% of designated ESSHI units for high–utilizers of Medicaid.

Since 2012, MRT has invest funding into the construction of affordable housing projects that set aside units to serve high–utilizers of Medicaid. To date MRT has funded the creation of over 1,534 supportive housing units state–wide.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal has issued an RFP for as part of the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program (SHOP). Approximately 25% of the SHOP awards will be directed to fund projects that serve the Medicaid Redesign Team Supportive Housing population of high–cost, high–need Medicaid clients.

Access to Home program to provide home modifications (i.e. ramps, lifts, handrails, etc.) to high cost Medicaid members. Such modifications would enable these individuals to remain in their homes or transition back to their homes.

Rental Subsidy and Support Service Programs

The Health Home Supportive Housing Program partners with health systems including: Health Homes, health plans, hospitals and/or Performing Provider Systems, to target homeless high–utilizers of Medicaid to place them in scattered site housing. In 2018 the program expanded to additional counties throughout the state and provides rental subsidy and support services to homeless individuals and families.

The Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) is a statewide program that provides rental subsidies and community transitional services for seniors and adults with chronic disabilities who are homeless, have spent at least one hundred and twenty (120) consecutive days in a skilled nursing facility over the most recent two–year period, and can live safely in the community.

The Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP) (previously known as Nursing Home to Independent Living) provides a rental subsidy and supportive housing services for high–need Medicaid beneficiaries. The program is available in four areas of the state: Long Island, Syracuse, New York City and Rochester. Eligible participants of the program are those individuals who are either currently enrolled in the program or are individuals with one or more documented chronic physical disabilities and have two or more chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, substance abuse disorder (SUD)). Participants in the program must be on Medicaid and referred as homeless high–utilizers by a health system including: hospital, Managed Care Organization (MCO), medical respite, Performing Provider System (PPS), or skilled nursing facility (SNF).

Long–term tenant based rental assistance and supportive housing services for homeless or unstably housed, Health–Home–enrolled, HIV+ individuals. Supportive housing counselors help recipients locate and maintain housing and learn Health and Independent Living Skills.

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Housing rental subsidies and case management for up to 350 units in Brooklyn for single adults with a serious mental illness.

Housing rental subsidies and case management for up to 350 units statewide for single adults with a serious mental illness.

Capital and operating funding for crisis or step–down service units with 24/7 on–site support. Serves individuals with a serious mental illness who are being discharged from a NYS OMH Psychiatric Center, Article 28 or Article 31 hospital and are not yet ready for a full transition into the community; and individuals with behavioral health crisis who could be safely diverted from inpatient care. Stays limited to 7–28 days.

Statewide rental subsides and service supports for single adults who are high–cost Medicaid participants, chronically addicted, and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Services include intensive case management, job development and counseling services and clinical supervision of direct service staff.

Funding is used to develop a full continuum of housing options which are community based and relocate individuals with developmental disabilities currently living in certified settings into more independent, less restrictive housing settings. These may include non–certified housing alternatives with supports as well as other evidenced based models and partnerships in housing alternatives. For service proposals that are approved, agencies would be required to develop support systems, and establish emergency on–call supports during hours when staff are not on duty.

Rental subsides for elderly or disabled SSI recipients living in NYC homeless shelters who are Health–Home eligible or require nursing home level of care.

Ongoing rental subsidies for elderly or disabled Medicaid enrollees facing imminent eviction in New York City.

NYSSHP provides operating funding for supportive housing programs that serve homeless persons with disabilities such as mental illness, chemical dependency, and/or HIV/AIDS.