New Yorkers remain concerned about access to safe and affordable housing in the state, so it was encouraging to hear Governor Cuomo emphasize his Administration’s commitment to expanding affordable opportunities for low- to middle-income New Yorkers in his 2020 State of the State Address.
The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) appreciates the Governor highlighting priorities that will help ameliorate New York’s ongoing affordable housing crisis.
Specifically, we applaud Governor Cuomo’s commitment to fund the final year of the historic $2.5 billion five-year housing plan, which has helped develop and preserve thousands of new homes for New Yorkers across the state.
Those priorities are a solid foundation upon which the Governor and the Legislature can build as negotiations about the 2020 budget begin later this
month.
We are all too familiar with the statistics underpinning New York’s housing crisis, with millions burdened by unaffordable rents and tens of thousands forced into the shelter system due to homelessness.
Governor Cuomo, and every elected official in both chambers, should continue to prioritize the development and preservation of affordable housing across the state in the upcoming legislative session.
To that end, NYSAFAH – along with thirteen other affordable housing advocacy organizations who represent the breadth of our industry—has announced its budget and policy priorities as we head into the 2020-21 New York State legislative session.
Members of the coalition include AARP New York, the Center of NYC Neighborhoods, Enterprise Community Partners, Habitat NYC, Leading Age NY, LiveOn, New York Housing Conference, New York State Public Housing Authority Directors Association, New York State Rural Housing Coalition, Regional Plan Association, and Supportive Housing Network of New York.
Headlining our priorities is a new Five-Year Housing Plan for 2022-2027 that would continue the necessary funding for housing projects beyond the current Five-Year Housing Plan.
In addition to the 25,299 homes financed in FY2019 alone, we hope to see the next 7,000 units of affordable housing funded over the next five years as part of the State’s 20,000-unit, 15-year supportive housing commitment.
In addition to expanding the number of affordable units across the state, we are urging funding to support New York’s growing senior population, increasing the annual State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocation, and preserving public housing units that are otherwise not eligible for private financing.
NYSAFAH and our partners are committed to advocating on behalf of the New Yorkers who lack adequate access to safe and affordable housing, and this upcoming legislative session is yet another opportunity for state public officials to enact policies that will help address the unprecedented housing crisis.
Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature have continued to support measures that expand opportunities for low- to middle-income New Yorkers and this coming year is a critical opportunity for lawmakers to address some of the most prominent concerns among affordable housing advocates.
