OTDA Home Programs & Services Bureau of Housing and Support Services (BHSS) BHSS Programs & Services Services Program Unit

Services Program Unit (SPU)

Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) - Federal and State Funds

The STEHP program provides assistance for individuals and families to remain in or obtain permanent housing, and assistance with supportive services during their experience of homelessness, the eviction process and housing stabilization. STEHP supports comprehensive programs that are designed to help maintain and improve the quality of emergency and transitional shelters, and drop-in centers for homeless individuals and families. ISTEHP assists organizations to meet the costs of operating programs that provide comprehensive supportive services aimed at housing stabilization, rapid re-housing services (obtaining a permanent living situation) and eviction prevention assistance to individuals and families.

Federal funds allocated from the Department of Housing and Urban Development combined with New York State homeless assistance funds comprise STEHP funding.

In July 2011, a Request for Proposals was released which will be awarding approximately $8.3 million to not-for-profits, units of local government and local social service districts. Contracts will begin September 1, 2011 and end on August 31, 2014.

New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) - State and TANF Funds

NYSSHP consolidates the Single Room Occupancy Support Services Program (SRO) and the Supported Housing for Families and Young Adults (SHFYA) into one unified program NYSSHP is designed to provide supportive services to eligible residents of supported housing in order to assist them in achieving as self sufficient a life as possible. Eligible populations include single adults, young adults (18-25) and families that are in need of supportive services. The service provision for all populations should be designed to assist residents in remaining stably housed so that they do not enter or re-enter the homeless services system. The proposals were due July 29, 2011 for a contract start date of January 1, 2012.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) - Federal Funds

The purpose of the HOPWA program is to provide states and localities with the resources and incentives to devise long-term comprehensive strategies for meeting the housing and support services needs of low-income persons with AIDS and HIV-related diseases. A broad range of housing-related activities may be funded under HOPWA, including, but not limited to: project or tenant based rental assistance; supportive services; short-term rent or mortgage payments to prevent homelessness; and technical assistance in establishing/operating a community residence.

Through 13 contracts, services are provided in 35 counties throughout New York State. The FFY 2011 allocation is $2,154,810.

Next Request for Proposals is anticipated to be released spring 2012.

Operational Support for AIDS Housing (OSAH) State Funds

The OSAH program provides operating funding to HHAP projects that house homeless singles and families living with HIV/AIDS. The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 allocation is $982,000. Funds are utilized for costs associated with personnel, supplies, utilities, consultants, travel, equipment, contractual obligations, maintenance needs and rental subsidies. OSAH funds currently support the operations of 10 HHAP projects. In total, OSAH funds support approximately 400 individuals/families in over 200 units of housing. OSAH funded programs also allow for recreational activities, tutoring for school aged children, chemical abuse counseling and nutritional services. Approximately 60% of the clients served by OSAH have transitioned to permanent housing.

Next Request for Proposals is anticipated to be released winter 2012.

Emergency Needs for the Homeless Program (ENHP) - TANF Funds

The purpose of the ENHP is to support programs that meet the emergency needs of homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless. Funds are used to augment existing programs that provide services to these individuals and families to assist them toward stabilizing their lives and moving toward self-sufficiency.

Individuals and families served through ENHP are those at risk of becoming homeless or who are homeless and are eligible for benefits under the State Plan for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant and whose incomes do not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit corporations and charitable organizations in social services districts with a population in excess of 2,000,000.

The ENHP Program currently has three (3) contracts that support crisis intervention, eviction prevention, emergency feeding and summer youth services throughout New York City. The State Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget appropriated $176,000 in TANF funds for the program.

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) - Stimulus Funds

The purpose of the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) is twofold. First, to provide assistance to households that have been identified as being at-risk of homelessness and who without such assistance would otherwise experience homelessness. Second, to rapidly re-house individuals and families who are homeless as defined by Section 103 of the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C 11302). HPRP supports two distinct program models, Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing. However, both program models should meet locally defined needs. HPRP resources were targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing after the program funds terminate.

Prevention programs targeted households that have a demonstrated housing crisis and that present with an imminent risk of losing their permanent housing. Program components include: intensive outreach to identify eligible households; a thorough assessment of the needs of eligible households; assistance to households in expanding housing options and resources; provision of both short-term and medium term financial assistance; and provision of the supportive services needed to assist participants in achieving housing stability.

Rapid Re-housing programs assist households experiencing homelessness to move into stable housing. Program components involve housing location, financial assistance, and support services. Programs support coordination of community resources to ensure that program participants are linked to any necessary on-going assistance.

Through a competitive RFP process, the HPRP has awarded contracts to 25 sponsors throughout New York State valued at $27.8 million. In addition, OTDA has received the City of Troy's and the Town of Union's entitlement appropriation approximating $1.4 million in additional HPRP funds. Contracts are for a 22 month period which commenced on October 1, 2009. HPRP is projected to assist over 9,000 individuals.

No additional funding is anticipated.