Tag: hud

HUD renews local homeless assistance program grants

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $2.5 billion to renew support to thousands of homeless assistance programs nationwide, including more than $13 million in the Rochester area.

HUD’s Continuum of Care grants will provide critically needed support to nearly 6,600 programs on the front lines of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. In New York state, local homeless assistance programs were awarded nearly $246 million.

“HUD wants to ensure that thousands of local homeless assistance providers continue to receive federal funds needed to provide stable housing for people experiencing homelessness during these trying times,” said Acting HUD Secretary Matt Ammon. “Renewing these grants not only offers relief to our local partners but it allows Continuums of Care to continue their work to end homelessness and help keep our most vulnerable neighbors off the streets.”

In Monroe County, dozens of agencies’ grants were renewed, including Person Centered Housing Options Inc., Rochester Housing Authority, the Center for Youth Services Inc., Providence Housing Development Corp., Volunteers of America of Western New York Inc. and others. A number of agencies in other counties in the Finger Lakes Region also received funding.

“Today, HUD is renewing its support to critical homeless assistance programs throughout New York state by providing nearly $246 million for 521 projects assisting individuals experiencing homelessness as well as those at imminent risk of becoming homeless. This support is especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many of our neighbors in New York state are in need of emergency shelter and permanent housing,” said HUD Deputy Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey Stephen Murphy. “Today’s renewal funding for organizations such as Bailey House in New York City, Catholic Charities in Syracuse, Unity House in Troy, Person Centered Housing Options in Rochester and the Matt Urban Center in Buffalo provides an invaluable lifeline to the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

HUD’s Continuum of Care grant funding supports an array of interventions designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, located in sheltering programs or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness. HUD services more than 1 million people through emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing programs each year.

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Rochester area to receive nearly $4 million to battle homelessness

The Rochester area will receive nearly $4 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to help its homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Solutions Grants are part of a $4 billion funding allocation nationwide targeted toward communities with high homeless populations or individuals at risk of becoming homeless. Some $1 billion was made available shortly after the signing of the CARES Act, while the remainder was announced this week.

“Homelessness was a major issue in some cities across our nation long before this pandemic occurred, and unfortunately the dire living conditions of our most vulnerable Americans left many without a home to isolate in or proper medical and health care resources to defend themselves against this invisible enemy,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson in a statement. “As we continued to monitor the effects of COVID-19 in at-risk communities, the department and our partners worked quickly to respond to outbreaks and minimize the spread from hotspots to other locations. This increased funding to help provide for our homeless will make a difference now as we combat the coronavirus and inform long-term, innovative solutions for addressing homelessness in the future.”

To date, HUD has distributed $3.96 billion in grants, with the remaining $40 million being used to provide technical assistance to build capacity of grantees in those communities that have received ESG funding, officials said.

Rochester will receive $2.86 million in this round of funding, while the county of Monroe will receive roughly $935,000. The state of New York has been allocated roughly $400 million in ESG funds in this round. The state has received nearly $1 billion total in ESG funding, officials noted.

ESG funds can be used to make more emergency shelters available; operate emergency shelters by providing food, rent, security, maintenance, utilities, furnishings and more; provide hotel or motel vouchers for homeless families and individuals; provide essential services to homeless individuals including childcare, education services, employment assistance, substance abuse treatment and more; and prevent individuals from becoming homeless and rapidly rehouse homeless people.

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Rochester communities get share of HUD funding

Dozens of New York localities will share an additional $2.4 billion in funding from the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The funds are to be used for economic development and public infrastructure in upstate communities.

“The Community Development Block Grant is a vital stream of investment that supports local economic growth, community revitalization and affordable housing. Even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we must not forget to invest in our future, and this funding does just that,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a statement Tuesday. “I worked hard to get this funding on the negotiating table and into the final deal because this program delivers real results to Upstate New York by creating good-paying jobs, delivering essential services that will help communities and investing in affordable housing for our vulnerable populations. I will always fight tooth and nail to protect this critical investment for our communities.”

The city of Rochester is slated to receive nearly $4.9 million in CDBG “Corona 3” funding, while Monroe County will receive nearly $1.1 million. The town of Greece will receive more than $250,000 and the town of Irondequoit will receive nearly $540,000. Nearly 50 municipalities will receive CDBG funding.

“Investing in local economic growth is more important now than ever,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in the statement. “This funding will help rebuild our communities and ensures the needs of our most vulnerable populations are met today and for years to come.”

Communities in New York state will use the funding to address a wide range of needs and enable local governments to support community nonprofits perform essential services, fund workforce development and training, retrofit community facilities for medical or quarantine use, support food and essential supply delivery to vulnerable populations and support vital governmental functions, officials said.

The additional CDBG funding was allocated to states and units of local governments that received an allocation under the fiscal year 2020 CDBG formula. The funding is 70 percent entitlement communities and 30 percent states. The senators said that the $2.4 billion secured in the bipartisan “Corona 3” negotiations is the first of a series of allocations that localities may be eligible for.

New York state will receive $1 billion in order to support a coordinated response across entitlement and non-entitlement communities. In addition, depending on whether or not a community is affected by COVID-19, resulting in related economic and housing disruption, HUD can respond accordingly with an additional targeted assistance pot of $2 billion.

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Report: More than 800 homeless in Monroe County

On any given night in Monroe County, 835 people are homeless, many of them doubling up with friends or relatives, staying in shelters or sleeping in their cars.

Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness
Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness

A new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness shows that for every 10,000 people in Monroe County, 11.2 were homeless in 2018. That compares with a rate of 7.5 per 10,000 residents in the Western New York region of Buffalo, Niagara, Erie, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties. The homeless rate in Ontario, Wayne, Seneca and Yates counties was 7.

Statewide, 91,897 people are homeless on a given night, equating to 46 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in the general population. New York ranked second, behind California, in terms of the number of people homeless statewide, but tied with Hawaii for the ratio of homeless people per 10,000 people. Washington, D.C., led the pack with 99 people homeless per 10,000 residents last year.

Nationally, a total of 552,830 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2018. This number represents 17 out of every 10,000 people in the United States. The “The State of Homelessness in America” uses annual data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Among individual homeless adults nationwide, 70 percent are men. White Americans are the largest racial grouping, accounting for 49 percent of those experiencing homelessness. However, African Americans and American Indians are dramatically over-represented in HUD’s Point-in-Time Count, compared with their numbers in the general population.

Between 2017 and 2018, homelessness increased slightly by 0.3 percent or 1,834 people, the report shows.

However, national counts have for the most part trended downward in the last decade. Since 2007, the year HUD began collecting the data, homelessness decreased by 15 percent. Further, veterans’ homelessness has dropped by 38 percent since 2007. Veterans experiencing homelessness in New York State last year numbered 1,224; California had 10,836 homeless veterans in 2018.

Nationally, the most prevalent homeless assistance intervention is permanent supportive housing. The number of beds in this category has grown by 92 percent since 2007, according to the report. Emergency shelter beds, the second most common intervention, have increased 35 percent since 2007.

Rapid rehousing, the newest type of permanent housing intervention, has quickly grown by 450 percent nationwide over the last five years.

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HUD awards $10 million to area organizations to fight homelessness

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded nearly $10 million to dozens of Finger Lakes organizations to help fight homelessness.

person-homeless-povertyThe $9.96 million was allocated through HUD’s Continuum of Care Program, which provides funding to nonprofits, as well as local and state governments, to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families and promote access to programs that encourage self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.

“One homeless family is one too many, and we must do everything we can to help provide those truly in need with a place to live,” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said in a statement. “By supporting affordable housing initiatives in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region and across New York State, and helping organizations work with homeless families and individuals to get them back on their feet, we can make a real dent in homelessness across the state. This is a sound investment in organizations in our community that are skilled at helping those in need.”

Organizations receiving funding include:

  • Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling and Referral Agency / HMIS, Clifton Springs, $21,185
  • Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling and Referral Agency / Wayne County Permanent Supportive Housing, Clifton Springs, $106,184
  • Lakeview Health Services / Lakeview SRO Tompkins, Geneva, $35,537
  • Geneva Housing Authority / Finger Lakes Regional Shelter Plus Care, Geneva, $37,983
  • Geneva Housing Authority / Finger Lakes Regional Shelter Plus Care II, Geneva, $78,584
  • Geneva Housing Authority / S+C for the Chronically Homeless II, Geneva, $13,781
  • Wayne County Action Program, Inc. / Success Center TH-RRH, Lyons, $48,123
  • Chances and Changes, Inc. / SHP Permanent Housing Livingston (2018), Mt. Morris, $60,290
  • Catholic Charities of Rochester dba Catholic Family Center / Consolidated Lafayette Housing Program, Rochester, $270,257
  • Coordinated Care Services, Inc. / Coordinated Entry, Rochester, $252,622
  • Delphi Drug and Alcohol Council Inc. / HomeSafeConsolidated, Rochester, $489,862
  • Person Centered Housing Options Inc. / PCHO Housing First, Rochester, $955,638
  • Person Centered Housing Options Inc. / PCHO RRH, Rochester, $128,173
  • Person Centered Housing Options Inc. / PCHO RRH II, Rochester, $472,901
  • Providence Housing Development Corporation / Providence PBV Permanent Housing, Rochester, $595,688
  • Providence Housing Development Corporation / Providence Shelter Plus Care, Rochester, $467,824
  • Providence Housing Development Corporation / Providence Supportive Suburban Housing Initiative, Rochester, $280,989
  • Providence Housing Development Corporation / Providence Veterans Permanent Housing Program, Rochester, $182,082
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/ Frederick Douglass Apartments PSH-PBRA #24, Rochester, $24,797
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/1630 Dewey Ave PSH-PBRA #23, Rochester, $245,915
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/JPC PSH-RA #18, Rochester, $135,209
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/Monroe County DHS PSH-RA #5, Rochester, $646,212
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/PCHO PSH-RA #27, Rochester, $196,406
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/Salvation Army Chronically Homeless PSH-RA #12, Rochester, $391,189
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/Son House PSH-PBRA #26, Rochester, $94,061
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/Strong Ties PSH-RA #8, Rochester, $168,448
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/VOA Family Housing Program PSH-RA #21, Rochester, $102,048
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/VOA PSH-RA #7, Rochester, $572,506
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/VOC PSH-RA #6, Rochester, $81,934
  • Rochester Housing Authority / RHA/Voter’s Block PSH-PBRA #20, Rochester, $78,247
  • Rochester/Monroe County Homeless Continuum of Care, Inc. / HMIS for RMCCoC, Rochester, $251,880
  • Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach, Inc. / SCPO TH/RRH, Rochester, $278,402
  • Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach, Inc. / Voter Block Community, Rochester, $41,327
  • The Center for Youth Services, Inc. / Parenting Teens, Rochester, $83,935
  • The Center for Youth Services, Inc. / Transition Age Youth Rapid Rehousing Project – Consolidated, Rochester, $255,581
  • The Center for Youth Services, Inc. / Transitional Living Program, Rochester, $129,288
  • Trillium Health, Inc. / Trillium Health Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal, Rochester, $146,556
  • Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. / VOAWNY Permanent Supportive Housing in Rochester, NY – Foundation House, Rochester, $256,325
  • Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. / VOAWNY’s Reentry Rapid Rehousing Program, Rochester, $277,458
  • Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. / Volunteers of America of WNY’s Permanent Supportive Housing for Chronically Homeless Individuals (Pinnacle Heights), Rochester, $242,132
  • Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. / Volunteers of America of WNY’s Project ReDirect, Rochester, $169,752
  • Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. / Volunteers of America’s of WNY’s Permanent Supportive Housing, Rochester, $158,366
  • YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County / YWCA Family Rapid Re-Housing, Rochester, $118,008
  • The Housing Council / The Housing Council at PathStone GOW RRH 2018 Program, Rochester, $91,761
  • Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. / VOAWNY PSH for Chronically Homeless Individuals and Families in Binghamton, Rochester, $224,461

“No family should ever be without a place to call home. This federal investment will support organizations throughout the Rochester-Finger Lakes region that provide critical services to New Yorkers who are facing homelessness,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “Access to safe and reliable housing is absolutely essential for the health of our communities, and I will continue to fight to ensure communities have the resources they need to combat homelessness.”

HUD’s Continuum of Care program promotes community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing trauma; promotes access to mainstream programs; and optimizes self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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Geneva to receive $45 million in affordable housing funds

The Geneva Housing Authority is set to receive $45 million in Housing and Urban Development funding to upgrade and preserve 215 affordable homes in the area.

Geneva Housing Authority will receive $45 million to renovate Courtyard Apartments (above) and others. (Photo courtesy of Geneva Housing Authority)
Geneva Housing Authority will receive $45 million to renovate Courtyard Apartments (above) and others. (Photo courtesy of Geneva Housing Authority)

The financing agreement is part of the state’s efforts to revitalize federal public housing and protect long-term affordability through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, which allows housing authorities to access private financing to meet capital needs.

“No family should face the fear of losing their home, and we are committed to ensuring public housing across the state meets the needs of all New Yorkers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “By revitalizing and preserving over 200 homes in Geneva, we are investing in the future of the families they serve and building a strong community to move the Finger Lakes forward.”

The project includes 199 apartments at Elmcrest Senior Apartments and Courtyard Apartments, which will undergo extensive renovations. In addition, the former St. Francis de Sales School will be converted into 16 new affordable homes. The Geneva Housing Authority will continue to manage the properties.

“This is an exciting project that will elevate the quality of life for seniors in our community, while providing a welcomed boost to the local economy,” said Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua. “This $45 million investment sends a strong message that those in need of affordable housing will be provided the accommodations and support they deserve.”

The former St. Francis de Sales School was constructed in 1823 and will be preserved to protect the original architecture to meet state and federal historic preservation requirements. Each of the three properties will include improvements to energy efficiency, while Elmcrest and Courtyard will receive updated kitchens and baths, electrical and plumbing upgrades and elevator improvements, among other things.

“This investment will improve the standard of living for 215 seniors and families in Geneva,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal. “Gov. Cuomo’s $20 billion housing plan is bringing much-needed public and private investments to public housing across the state to preserve this crucial source of affordable housing for New Yorkers. By preserving and upgrading these homes for future generations, we are building a stronger economy in Geneva and keeping the Finger Lakes moving forward.”

New York State’s five-year housing plan makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building and preserving more than 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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