ALBANY, N.Y. — On Wednesday Governor Cuomo announced that the state will be doubling the amount of aid to the Homeless Housing Assistance Program.
The updated plan will include $128 million, the largest in NYS history, for HHAP. The plan will also invest $5 million to expand effort to get homeless veterans permanent housing and support Code Blue efforts throughout New York State and will be part of Cuomo's $20 billion plan to fight homelessness over the next five years.
"Homelessness is a growing problem in some parts of our state, and right now we are seeing too many New Yorkers living and sleeping on the street," Governor Cuomo said. "The homeless issue has been studied, debated, litigated, and addressed for 40 years. We know what works and we know what doesn't work from experience, and we know that there are only two factors for a solution: commitment of resources and competence of administration. This significant investment - the largest amount of funding in the history of the State of New York - will expand access to quality, affordable housing and supportive services for our most vulnerable men, women and children and create a stronger, more prosperous New York for all."
HHAP will use the funding to create more housing for the homeless that require wrap-around services to remain stably housed, according to a statement.
The $5 million that will go toward helping homeless veterans will work through HHAP and the state's Homes and Community Renewal Department. The two departments will work together to find sustainable housing options for homeless veterans. The plan also provides a plan to get temporary housing for homeless veterans and works to find them permanent place to live within 90 days.
