HCR Seeks Comments for CDBG and HOME Programs
The New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is seeking comments to their Annual Action Plan (AAC) specifically as it relates to LeadingAge New York members and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership programs. CDBG will have $42 million available and HOME will have $15 million.
HCR’s draft AAP for 2014 may be viewed on, and downloaded from, the NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) website at http://www.nyshcr.org/. The 30-day public comment period concludes on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013.
The Consolidated and Annual Action Plan addresses several “special needs” populations who require supportive housing, including: the homeless, elderly, frail elderly, persons with disabilities (mental, physical, developmental), persons with alcohol or other drug addictions, persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Historically, members’ primary use of the HOME and CDBG programs have been as supplemental funding for construction in new Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTCP) projects and renovations in existing Mitchell-Lama, HUD Section 202/236 and older LIHTCP projects. Because funding awards for these programs often are inadequate to complete construction and renovations, the HOME and CDBG programs can be a critical funding source to provide quality homes for New York seniors.
In addition, there is a growing demand from both consumers and state government that subsidized housing for seniors become a platform to make supportive services available to help seniors remain in their homes longer, rather than move to a higher level of care in an adult care facility or nursing home.
As part of the Medicaid Redesign Team’s final recommendations, an Affordable Housing Workgroup was created in 2011 and funding was allocated into the state budget for supportive senior housing. LeadingAge New York is advocating that the CDBG and HOME funds assist in the extra funding needed to fully develop supportive housing for seniors.
New York state and local governments must plan for and support efforts by housing developers and operators to maintain seniors in the least restrictive and least costly setting. Allocating additional resources for senior housing through the HOME and CDBG programs will assist seniors in maintaining their independence and assist in a main objective of the CDBG program to “develop and implement strategies that facilitate the coordination of NYS CDBG funding with other federal, state, and local development resources.”
Contact: Ken Harris, kharris@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8835