ON THIS MONTH'S EDITION OF CONNECT NEW YORK, WE'RE EXPLORING HOMELESSNESS, AND WE'LL TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE UNDERLYING CAUSES, THE SHORT-TERM SHELTER NEEDS, AND THE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

ALL THAT, COMING UP NEXT ON CONNECT NEW YORK.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WELCOME TO CONNECT NEW YORK.

I'M DAVID LOMBARDO HOST OF WCNY'S CAPITOL PRESS ROOM, A DAILY PUBLIC RADIO SHOW BROADCASTING FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

ON THIS MONTH'S EPISODE WE'RE DISCUSSING HOMELESSNESS, WITH A FOCUS ON WHAT LEADS TO HOUSING INSTABILITY, AND THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM RESPONSES TO THIS SOCIETAL PROBLEM.

LATER IN THE PROGRAM, I'LL BE JOINED ON A PANEL TO DISCUSS THOSE ISSUES AND MORE, BUT FIRST, OUR PRODUCER, ALEC AMBRUSO, TOOK A LOOK AT SOME OF THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK FOR THE HOMELESS.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HOMELESSNESS IS MULTIFACETED.

PEOPLE EXARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FROM MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES AND IN SYRACUSE WE HAVE REALLY DIFFICULT WINTERS SO IT MAKES IT A LITTLE MORE DANGEROUS THAN IT MIGHT BE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS THAT DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE, ARE STRUGGLING WITH EITHER MENTAL HEALTH, TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES, DRUG ADDICTION, DEPENDENCY ISSUES.

THEY KIND OF MAYBE BURN EVERY BRIDGE THAT THEY HAD AND THEY END UP AT THE RESCUE MISSION.

>> ANNUALLY WE SERVE THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS.

SOME MIGHT JUST COME FOR MEALS BECAUSE WE OFFER THREE MEALS A DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR.

SOME COME FOR SHELTER SERVICES.

WE HAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND SAND PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH EVERY YEAR, NEEDING SHELTER SERVICES.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP.

WE ALSO OFFER CLOTHING.

WE PROVIDE PEOPLE BASIC NEEDS THEY MIGHT HAVE AND WE OPERATE OUR OWN HOUSING UNITS.

SOME OF THAT IS A CONTINUATION OF SHELTER SERVICES WHERE INDIVIDUALS NEED A NEXT STEP UP OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

SO WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS THAT WE CAN ACCESS FOR PEOPLE.

THE THREE PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFERED IN MY FATHER'S KITCHEN ARE DIRECT STREET OUTREACH TO THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS.

OUR HIGHER GROUND DAILY PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ONONDAGA COUNTY AND THE THIRD BRANCH CALLED LIFE HOUSE IS HELPING WOMEN ESCAPE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEX TRAFFICKING.

SO THOSE ARE OUR THREE MAIN BRANCHES AND THEY ALL REVOLVE AROUND FOLKS LIVING IN HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE DOING DIRECT STREET OUTREACH TO THE INDIVIDUALS.

SO WE ARE BRINGING EVERYTHING TO THEM IN THE PLACES THEY'RE LIVING SO WE ARE BRINGING A DOCTOR TO YOU.

WE ARE BRINGING ADVOCACY FOR YOU.

FOOD AND SUPPLIES AND CLOTHING, THINGS THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO SURVIVE OUTSIDE.

AND ALL THOSE THINGS WE USE AS TOOLS TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU WHERE YOU START TO BUY IN AND TRUST US.

AND REALLY START TELLING US THE STORY AS WE ARE GETTING TO VISIT YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND THEN HELPING YOU NAVIGATE INTO THE SYSTEM.

HIGHER GROUND IS A DAILY PROGRAM, AN ALTERNATIVE TO PANHANDLING AND A WAY TO ESCAPE HOMELESSNESS FOR THE DAY.

SO WE ARE USING WORK NOW AS ANOTHER TOOL TO GET YOU ON THIS VAN FOR FIVE HOURS.

SO IF I'M DOING STREET OUTREACH.

IT MIGHT BE A OWN OR 15 MINUTE ENGAGEMENT BUT NOW YOU ARE ON THE VAN FOR FIVE HOURS.

YOU GET BREAKFAST, YOU GET LUNCH AND YOU GET TO WORK SO INSTEAD OF BEGGING FOR THE DAY, YOU GET DIGNITY BY DOING WORK AND THERE ARE TWO CARE MANAGERS ON THE VAN HELPING THEM GET THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS OR CALLING OTHER AGENCIES WHILE ON THE WORK VAN AND IT'S A WAY FOR THEM TO ESCAPE THE CRAZINESS OF LIFE FOR FIVE HOURS AND ACTUALLY WORK AND GET MONEY AT THE END OF THE DAY.

SO LIKE NOW BECAUSE IT'S GETTING COLD.

IT'S CALLED CODE BLUE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ONCE IT GETS 32 OR LOWER, SHELTERS RELAX THEIR RULES IN REGARDS TO GETTING IN THERE.

WE HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THAT HEY, LISTEN, YOU CAN GO THERE.

THE RULES ARE BEING LAX SO YOU CAN STAY WARP.

>> WE ARE HAVE ABOUT 199 BEDS AVAILABLE.

AND THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS WE WILL HAVE OVER 200 INDIVIDUALS COMING IN FOR THE SHELTER SERVICES.

BEDS ARE ALWAYS CURN-- BEDS ARE ALWAYS TURNING OVER BUT WHEN IT GETS REALLY COLD, WE DO JUST HAVE PEOPLE WAIT IN THE LOBBY.

WE CAN GET PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM PRETTY COMFORTABLE IN THE LOBBY.

BUT FOR MOST PART, WE DO HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF BEDS, AS A NETWORK IN OUR SHELTER SYSTEM IN SYRACUSE.

AS TEMPERATURES REALLY CHANGE AND TEMPERATURES REALLY START DROPPING, IT'S DANGEROUS, YOU KNOW.

IT'S MORE DANGEROUS THAN FOR SURE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT MAKE IT DANGEROUS AS WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE ARE USING DRUGS, YOU KNOW, AND OVERDOSES ARE POSSIBLE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

THAT'S ALWAYS A CONCERN ALL YEAR LONG.

BUT AS THE TEMPERATURES DROP, IT'S PEOPLE ARE-- THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF HOW DANGEROUS THE SITUATION CAN BE.

SO OUR STREET OUTREACH TEAM IS OUT THERE REALLY TRYING TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS TO TRY AND CONVINCE THEM TO COME IN FROM THE COLD.

ALSO OUR FOOD SERVICE CENTER IS ANOTHER WAY WE CAN CONNECT WITH INDIVIDUALS.

SO BY HAVING THREE MEALS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN, GET OUT OF THE COLD, GET WARM, GRAB A MEAL, OUR STAFF ARE KIND OF AWARE OF WHO IS STAYING IN THE SHELTER AND THEN WHO IS JUST COMING IN FOR A MEAL AND WE TRY TO PRESS IN ON THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WHERE ARE YOU STAYING RIGHT NOW?

ARE YOU IN NEED OF A COAT, SHOES?

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH UNDERWEAR, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND SOME OF THOSE COMMUNICATIONS AND SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS TURN INTO YEAH, I DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO STAY AND THEN WE CAN KIND OF SWITCH GEARS AND SEE IF WE CAN TALK TO THEM INTO COMING INTO THE SHELTER.

PUBLIC FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING ALL THE SHELTER OPERATIONS UP AND RUNNING.

YOU KNOW, I JOKINGLY SAY THAT NOT-FOR-PROFITS, AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS, WE DO REALLY ESSENTIAL WORK IN THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS, BUT THEN IN OUR SPARE TIME WE HAVE TO FUNDRAISE TO FILL THE GAP.

AND I DON'T KNOW ANY NON-PROFITS THAT DON'T HAVE TO FUNDRAISE.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET TO A POINT WHERE THE ESSENTIAL NECESSARY SERVICES ARE FULLY FUNDED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW.

SO WE HAVE TO FUNDRAISE TO FILL THE GAP IN SERVICE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE LIFE SAVING WORK THAT ALL NON-PROFITS ARE DOING ALL YEAR LONG.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO GET PRIVATE FUNDED SOURCES AS WELL AS RESOURCES COMING INTO MY FATHER'S KITCHEN.

60% OF OUR FUNDING SOURCES ARE PRIVATE DONORS.

THE OTHER 40% IS THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WHETHER IT'S COUNTY GOVERNMENT, CITY GOVERNMENT OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

OUR HIGHER GROUNDWORK PROGRAM IS TOTALLY FUNDED BY ONONDAGA COUNTY, WHICH IS A BLS A BLESSING TO US.

THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY FOR US, THAT CAN GET INVOLVED WITH US IS UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE A SMALL AGENCY SO WE DON'T HAVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BUT FOR IN MY FATHER'S KITCHEN, I SAY WE ARE ALWAYS COLLECTING GENTLY USED ITEMS, WHETHER WHATEVER SEASON WE ARE IN.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE TAKING HATS AND GLOVES AND SCARVES AND COATS AND BOOTS.

THEY CAN BE GENTLY USED AS LONG AS THEY'RE IN GOOD CONDITION, WE'LL TAKE THEM.

WEEK ALSO USE BLANKETS, TOWELS, COATS, THOSE ARE ALWAYS HELPFUL.

IF YOU ARE GETTING YOURSELF SOME NEW TOWELS, IT'S GREAT TO GET A COUPLE EXTRA AND DONATE THEM IN THE RESCUE MISSION.

CLIENTS ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF SOCKS, UNDERWEAR, BASIC NECESSITIES LIKE THAT.

WE TEND TO GET A LOT OF TOILETRY ITEMS BUT DEODORANT.

WE NEED DEODORANT AS WELL.

IF IT IS COLD OUT, SNOWING AND YOU SEE SOMEBODY SITTING ON A BENCH AND THEY SEEM LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE.

CALL 211.

211 IS A GREAT PLACE TO CALL AND GIVE A TIP.

HEY, THIS PERSON, I'VE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

THEY KEEP DOING THE SAME THING.

THEY MIGHT BE OUT IN THE COLD, YOU KNOW, AND THEN YOU GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO 211.

211 THEN CONNECTS WITH THE LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS OUR STREET OUTREACH TEAM.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LOVE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, IT'S SOMEBODY'S FAMILY MEMBER OUTSIDE.

NO ONE WOKE UP ONE DAY AND DECIDED I JUST WANT TO BE HOMELESS.

THINGS HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE THAT CAUSE YOU TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS OUTSIDE.

THEY'RE SOMEONE'S FAMILY MEMBER.

IF IT WAS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER, WOULD YOU WANT US REACHING OUT TO THEM?

AND OF COURSE THE ANSWER IS YES.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE PRETTY MUCH THE COUNTRY, EVERYBODY IS ABOUT TWO PAYCHECKS AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS THEMSELVES.

AND SO WE ARE IN A VERY FRAGILE STATE WHERE, IF YOU JUST KEEP WORKING HARD AND DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES, YOU ARE GOING TO BE OKAY.

BUT IF YOU HAVE ISSUES, MEDICAL ISSUES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, ANY SORT OF ADDICTION ISSUES, COULD YOU SPIRAL OUT OF, YOU KNOW, CONTROL PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> IF WE ALL DO OUR PART, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A HUMAN BEING IN FRONT OF US, SUFFERING AND BROKEN AND THEY'RE JUST JAMMED UP RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN HELP THAT PERSON NAVIGATE OUT OF THAT SITUATION AND WE HAVE DONE THAT MANY TIMES.

THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM OUR PANEL, AND JOINING ME IN THE STUDIO ARE STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, A SYRACUSE DEMOCRAT, MEGAN STUART, DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, AND REBECCA ZANGEN, CHIEF POLICY OFFICER FOR THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING NETWORK OF NEW YORK.

MEGHAN, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

YOU HAVE A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON THIS ISSUE.

I'M CURIOUS, HOW DOES HOMELESS PRESENT ITSELF?

BECAUSE AS OPPOSED TO THE CITY OF SYRACUSE, YOU HAVE POPULATIONS THAT ARE RURAL, URBAN, AND SUBURBAN.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS YOU ARE SEEING?

>> SURE.

SO THE HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION IS A THREE-COUNTY COALITION THAT INCLUDES ONONDAGA, OSWEGO AND CAYUGA COUNTY SO IT RUNS THE GAMUT OF RURAL HOMELESSNESS, URBAN HOMELESSNESS AND SUBURBAN HOMELESSNESS AND WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK OF SOMEONE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS THE PERSON YOU SEE PANHANDLING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR SOMEONE SLEEPING OUTSIDE IN A CITY, BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

I WOULD SAY MOST OR A LARGE MARKET OF OUR POPULATION ACTUALLY, WHEN THEY ARE HOMELESS, ARE IN EMERGENCY SHELTERS, WHETHER THAT'S CONGREGATE OR NON-CONGREGATE IN HO HOTEL-MOTEL SITUATIONS THAT ARE COMMON IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

HOTEL IS ARE COMMON IN THE CITIES.

THIS PRESENTS ITSELF IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS ACROSS OUR REGION.

SO I WOULD, YOU KNOW, ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT IN OUR THREE COUNTY REGION, THERE IS ROUGHLY 1100 PEOPLE SLEEPING WITHOUT A STABLE PLACE.

AND A MAJORITY OF THOSE FOLKS ARE INSIDE.

AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO RECOGNIZE.

>> AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS THAT LEAD TO HOUSING INSTABILITY WITH THE POPULATION YOU SERVE?

>> HOMELESSNESS IS ULTIMATELY A LACK OF HOUSING MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

WE SEE FOLKS WHO ARE FACING EVICTION, STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AND THAT RELATIONSHIP FALLS APART, OR A PROPERTY OWNER, LANDLORD WILL NO LONGER ALLOW FAMILY TO STAY WITH FAMILY MEMBERS UNDER A LEASE.

A LOT OF FOLKS FACE SUBSTANDARD HOUSING; HOUSING THAT IS NOT FIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.

WHETHER THAT'S FROM ISSUES LIKE SEWAGE, UNFIT SITUATIONS, NO HEAT IN THE WINTER, THINGS LIKE THAT.

OR LEAD.

FAMILIES REALLY ARE JUST LACKING A PERMANENT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

>> REBECCA, YOU COME AT THIS FROM THE GUISE OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND WE ARE GOING TO TALK MORE IN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ACTUALLY IS.

BUT CAN YOU TALK TO US FIRST ABOUT THE POPULATION THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE HOUSING INSECURE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL ISSUES BUT BECAUSE OF BROADER CONCERNS?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO AS MEGHAN SAID, I TOTALLY AGREE.

HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM.

IT'S A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THAT'S THE CASE FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

BUT THEY ALSO MAY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING STABILITY.

SO IT COULD BE PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY LIKE A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS OR A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR HISTORY OF TRAUMATIC BACKGROUNDS LIKE YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR VETERANS AND SO WHAT THEY NEED IN ADDITION TO THAT STABLE PLACE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD IS SUPPORTS.

AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES TO FOLKS SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

IT COULD LOOK LIKE COORDINATING TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE CURRENT ON THEIR BENEFITS OR HELPING THEM EDUCATIONAL OR EMPLOYMENT GOALS AND SOMETIMES IT'S AS SIMPLE AS CONNECTING THEM BACK TO THEIR CHILDREN OR GRAND CHILDREN.

SO THE SERVICES IN SUPPORTINGIVE HOUSING HELPS STABILIZE FOLKS SO THEY CAN LIVE LONG-TERM IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> SO WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS LIKE ANY SOCIAL SERVICES ISSUE, THERE IS A QUESTION OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY IS AND AND WE POSED THAT QUESTION TO STATE SENATOR BRIAN KAVANAGH, A MANHATTAN DEMOCRAT, WHO CHAIRS HIS CHAMBER'S COMMITTEE ON HOUSING.

HERE'S HOW HE SEES THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY.

>> SO THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW YORK HAS BEEN INTERPRETED AS PROVIDING A RIGHT TO SHELTER.

AND THAT CAME OUT OF COURT CASES MANY YEARS AGO.

AND HAS ONLY, SO FAR, BEEN APPLIED IN NEW YORK.

THE COURT CASE WAS A CASE AGAINST NEW YORK CITY, AND THE STATE PARTICIPATED IN LITIGATION.

BUT THE DETERMINATION WAS IF YOU PRESENT YOURSELF AS NEEDING SHELTER IN NEW YORK, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SHELTER.

THAT HAS BEEN RECENTLY RELITIGATED TO SOME EXTENT BY THE MAYORAL ADMINISTRATION OF NEW YORK WITH RESPECT TO NEW ARRIVALS AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME FLEXIBILITY THE CITY HAS HAD TO ASK PEOPLE TO REAPPLY FOR SHELTER.

IF THEY'RE NEW ARRIVALS THAT LONGER TERM NEW YORK RESIDENTS HAVEN'T BEEN REQUIRED TO DO FOR MANY YEARS.

IT IS A ONE STATE SUBSTITUTION SO THAT RIGHT MIGHT NOT APPLY IN OTHER COUNTIES.

>> SO, SENATOR, WE HEARD WHAT YOUR COLLEAGUE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE OBLIGATION AT THE STATE LEVEL.

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS BOTH SAY THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM HOUSING NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH SENATOR KAVANAGH THAT WE NEED TO HELP PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD HOUSING, THE HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHER PROGRAM IS A REALLY IMPORTANT ONE.

THERE IS AN EFFORT-- THEY ALREADY DO THIS IN NEW YORK CITY BUT STATEWIDE, TO HELP PEOPLE IF THEY'RE FACING EVICTION BECAUSE THEY HAVE MISSED THE RENT FOR A MONTH OR TWO.

THAT'S NOT-- IT'S NOT VERY EXPENSIVE TO HELP PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOUSING FOR THOSE KINDS OF REASONS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT HOMELESSNESS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING IT.

IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

IT IS A SCHOOLS ISSUE.

IT IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE FOR ALL OF US.

YOU KNOW, KIDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF ADDITIONAL ISSUES THAT THEY'RE GOING BRING TO SCHOOL WITH THEM IF THEY COME TO SCHOOL AT ALL.

AND A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO MOVE ALL THE TIME OR THEY'RE GETTING EVICTED IS LESS SAFE BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEIR NEIGHBORS SO IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, TOO.

HOUSING, SECURITY SHOULD BE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR US POLICY WISE BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD INVESTMENT IN HELPING INDIVIDUALS THRIVE BUT ALSO HELPING COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES AND RURAL AREAS THRIVE AS WELL.

SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE NEED TO TAKE THAT APPROACH THAT WE NEED MORE HOUSING, WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE NEED MORE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AS NOT HANDOUTS TO INDIVIDUALS, BUT AS SOMETHING WE DO AS A STATE BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

>> WELL, AS SENATOR KAVANAGH MENTIONED, THIS CONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE HAS BEEN TESTED IN THE NEW YORK CITY COURT SYSTEM BUT AS FAR AS I'M AWARE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CHALLENGE TO EXAMINE THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY, SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES, DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE STATE IS DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT, SAY MUNICIPALITIES, AREN'T ON THE HOOK FOR PROVIDING SHORT-TERM SERVICES?

>> WELL, THERE IS DEFINITELY MORE WE CAN BE DOING AS A STATE.

I'M FOCUSED ON BUILDING MORE HOUSING, MAKING SURE THAT WE'VE GOT A SUPPLY OF HOUSING THAT CAN SERVE EVERYBODY WHO IS LOOKING FOR HOUSING AND HELP BRING DOWN THE COST OF HOUSING BECAUSE RIGHT NOW ONE OF THE BIG DRIVERS, I THINK, AND MEGHAN WILL TALK ABOUT THIS, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE LARGEST GROUP OF HOMELESSNESS INDIVIDUALS IN OUR AREA ARE FAMILIES, NOT INDIVIDUALS.

SO THAT'S ABOUT PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD A PLACE TO LIVE OR FIND AN ADEQUATE, SAFE PLACE TO LIVE.

SO WE HAVE TO BE REALLY LEANING INTO BUILDING MORE HOUSING, AND RENOVATING THE HOUSING THAT'S OUT THERE NOW SO THAT IT'S SAFE AND LIVABLE.

THE SUPPORTIVE ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY ALSO CRITICAL AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE DOING ALL OF THAT.

I AM MORE FOCUSED ON JUST THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I THINK IT DRIVES ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES.

>> WELL, MEGHAN, COMING BACK TO THE IDEA OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, WHAT KIND OF FUNDING, IF ANY, DO YOU GET FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE GOVERNMENT OR EVEN WASHINGTON D.C.?

>> SO THERE IS INVESTMENT, ESPECIALLY AT THE STATE LEVEL, INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN, YOU KNOW, THIS INCREASE, WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT.

I THINK WHAT FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IN THAT SHORT-TERM RESPONSE, THERE IS A LOT OF LOCAL TAXPAYER DOLLAR WRAPPED UP INTO ENSURING PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, WHERE THERE IS A RIGHT TO SHELTER, THAT DOESN'T EXIST IN THE SAME WAY UPSTATE.

SO THERE IS THE ABILITY ON DISTRICTS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, TO DENY STHELT SHELTER TO FOLKS AND BY THAT I MEAN EMERGENCY SHELTER.

AND AS SENATOR MAY DISCUSSED, THE WAY OUT OF HAVING TO SPEND THE EXORBITANT TANTAMOUNT SPENT ON SHELTERING BY COMMUNITIES IS PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF TIME FOLKS SPEND IN THE SHELTER WHICH ULTIMATELY IS A HUGE COST BURDEN TO COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THERE ISN'T BLANKET STATE INVESTMENT INTO IT OR A FEDERAL INVESTMENT.

>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING LIKE EMERGENCY SHELTER, DO YOU SEE DEMONSTRABLY DIFFERENT RESPONSES FROM THE COUNTIES THAT YOU COVER; FOR EXAMPLE, DOES ONEIDA COUNTY LOOK AT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY DIFFERENT THAN ONONDAGA COUNTY?

>> THERE IS A LOT LEFT TO THE COUNTY LEVEL.

I WILL SAY THAT WE HAVE THE GREAT INVESTMENT INTO SHELTERING HERE ESPECIALLY IN ONONDAGA COUNTY, WHERE MOST FOLKS WHO NEED EMERGENCY SHELTER ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT.

BUT THAT CAN LOOK VERY DIFFERENT IN A RURAL COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY'RE RELYING ON HOTEL-MOTELS; WHICH IS ULTIMATELY RELYING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF HOTEL-MOTELS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SHELTER.

SO FAMILIES ARE HAVING TO CROSS COUNTY LINES, SCHOOL DISTRICT LINES TO HAVE A STABLE PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT AND THEN KIDS ARE HAVING TO GET BUSSED FOR HOURS TO GET TO SCHOOL, ABSENTEE RISES BECAUSE OF THAT.

SO IT'S JUST A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES.

BUT ULTIMATELY HOMELESSNESS IS STRESSFUL.

IT'S TRAUMATIC FOR FAMILIES.

AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE CAN LESSEN THAT FOLKS HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THAT, THE BETTER.

>> SO I WANT TO STICK WITH THIS IDEA OF SUPPORT FOR SERVICES THAT ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND SPECIFICALLY ON THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FRONT.

AND I WANT TO RETURN TO OUR CONSERVATION WITH STATE SENATE HOUSING COMMITTEE CHAIR BRIAN KAVANAUGH WHO ADDRESSED NEW YORK'S SUPPORT FOR THESE SERVICES.

HERE IS A CLIP FROM THAT CONVERSATION.

>> WE HAVE INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS, THE RATE OF PRODUCTION.

THERE ARE ABOUT 62,000 OR SO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THEY'RE USUALLY BUILT IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS OF HOUSING.

SOME OF THE PROGRAMS ARE SCATTERED, YOU KNOW, AROUND A DIFFERENT UNIT AND DIFFERENT BUILDINGS WHERE A SERVICE PROVIDER IS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS.

BUT THAT IS A REALLY-- THOSE UNITS ARE REALLY EFFECTIVE AT STABILIZING PEOPLE, PROVIDING THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

AGAIN, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED MAYBE SOME MODEST AMOUNT OF SERVICES TO STAY STABLY HOUSED AND WE PRODUCE-- WE USED TO PRODUCE 1200 NEW UNITS A YEAR.

WE INCREASED IN THE LAST FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN, WE INCREASED THE FUNDING SO THE STATE IS FUNDING 1400 NEW UNITS A YEAR.

THE STATE HOUSING AGENCY H.C.R.

IS EFFECTIVELY IDENTIFYING PROVIDERS THAT WILL BUILD THE HOUSING AND GETTING THE MONEY OUT THE DOOR.

THAT'S AN AREA WHERE I THINK WE SHOULD INCREASE SPENDING.

IF YOU ARE SPENDING MONEY TO MEET THAT DEMAND AND ALL THE THAT MONEY IS GETTING SPENT, YOU KNOW, THE ODDS ARE YOU COULD PROBABLY EFFECTIVELY BUILD MORE OF THOSE UNITS IF YOU PUT MORE CAPITAL UP.

IT'S PRIMARILY CAPITAL BUT THERE ARE ALSO OPERATING SUBS SUBSIDIES THAT ENSURE THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE NEED.

THAT'S A VERY EFFECTIVE BRAM.

BUT, AGAIN, WE PROBABLY NEED TO BE DOING MORE.

>> SO REBECCA, WE HEARD AT THE END OF THE CLIP FROM SENATOR KAVANAGH THAT WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO BE DOING MORE IN THE VAIN OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

SOMETHING I IMAGINE YOU AGREE WITH.

SO WHAT DOES MORE AT THE STATE LEVEL LOOK LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?

IS IT ABOUT INVESTING IN THE CAPITAL NEEDS SO THAT THE CONSTRUCTION CAN BE BUILT?

OR IS IT MORE ABOUT THE OPERATING NEEDS?

HOW DO YOU SEE THIS PROBLEM BEING SOLVED MOVING FORWARD?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

SENATOR KAVANAGH MENTIONED WE HAVE 62,000 UNITS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT'S IN EVERY COUNTY OF THE STATE.

SO I WANT TO REALLY EMPHASIZE TO THE VIEWERS THAT IT'S NOT JUST A DOWNSTATE THING OR AN URBAN THING.

SAME WITH HOMELESSNESS.

THE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR PERMANENT HOUSING, IS ALL OVER THE STATE AND LOOKS DIFFERENT.

AND SENATOR KAVANAGH MENTIONED ABOUT HALF OF OUR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS WHEN NPO PROFITS-- NON-PROFITS ARE FINDING APARTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, RENTING THEM ON THE PRIVATE MARKET AND BRINGING SERVICES INTO THE COMMUNITY FOR TENANTS AND ABOUT HALF OF THEM ARE IN KIND OF PURPOSE BUILT HOUSING.

THAT'S EITHER NEWLY CONSTRUCTED OR RENOVATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WITH SERVICES ON SITE.

AND AS SENATOR KAVANAGH MENTIONED, THE STATE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A 15-YEAR INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP 20,000 UNITS ACROSS THE STATE OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

AND AS HE SAID, IT'S BEEN A VERY EFFECTIVE PROGRAM.

AND IT'S DRIVING PRODUCTION IN ALL REGIONS OF OUR STATE.

EVERYTHING, WE ALL KNOW, HAS BEEN GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

SO WHAT IT COSTS TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM IN 2016, RIGHT NOW IN 2024 MOVING INTO 2025, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE COST OF GROCERY HAS GONE UP SO MUCH IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING HOUSING HAS ABSOLUTELY GONE UP AND OPERATING THAT HOUSING.

SO DOUBLING DOWN AND INVESTING IN THAT NEW PRODUCTION, I THINK, IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE SEE THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT TO OUR FIRST GENERATION OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

SO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ACTUALLY WAS CREATED HERE IN NEW YORK STATE.

WE ARE THE TRAIL BLAZERS THAT STATES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE REPLICATED.

AND SO, IN 1987, THE STATE CREATED THE FIRST SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED SERVICES IN THE HOUSING CONTEXT TO ADDRESS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS AND PEOPLE WITH THOSE SERVICE NEEDS.

AND YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL.

WE KNOW THAT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WORKS.

WE HAVE DATA THAT SHOWS THAT OVER 90% OF PEOPLE THAT MOVE INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, THEY'RE GOING MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING STABILITY OVER THE LONG-TERM.

WE HAVE DATA THAT SHOWS THAT IT'S COST SAVING, RIGHT?

SO MEGHAN SPOKE ABOUT THE COST OF EMERGENCY SHELTER, ESPECIALLY SPENDING ON HOTELS AND MOTELS.

WE ARE GOING TO SAVE MONEY THERE.

WE ARE GOING TO SAVE MONEY SPENDING IN HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS AND JAILS AND PRISONS.

SO WE KNOW IT'S A REALLY EFFECTIVE MODEL AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR DECADES.

BUT WE DO HAVE SOME SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN INCREASES IN THE RATE OF THE CONTRACTS SINCE THE 1980s.

SO WE KNOW THAT IT WORKS.

BUT WE NEED THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO BOTH UPGRADE THESE BUILDINGS.

SOME OF THEM, THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES MIGHT BE OVER 100 YEARS OLD AND THEY WERE ONLY LIGHTLY RENOVATED IN THE 80S AND 90s TO BECOME SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

THEY NEED NEW ROOFS.

THEY NEED NEW BOILERS.

THEY NEED ELEVATORS AND THEY HAVE FOLKS THAT HAVE AGED IN PLACE AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THEIR APARTMENTS IN WHEELCHAIRS.

SO WE NEED THAT CAPITAL FUNDING FOR THE FIRST GENERATION OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND WE ALSO NEED THE SERVICES TO HELP KEEP UP WITH THE NEEDS OF THOSE TENANTS.

WE KNOW MANY OF THEM, AS I SAID, HAVE AGED IN PLACE.

WE HAVE SOME DATA SHOWING 65% OF THOSE TENANTS ARE OLDER ADULTS SO WE NEED SERVICES 24/7 IN THESE BUILDINGS AND AGAIN THINGS THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE STABILIZE AND MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO WE HAVE IDENTIFIED ABOUT 9,000 OF THESE FIRST GENERATION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE REALLY AT RISK DUE TO SEVERE UNDERFUNDING.

AND WE ARE HOPING THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN ADDRESS THAT IN HER BUDGET IN JANUARY AND WE HAVE ÃTO CONTINUE DEVELOPING AND BUILDING MORE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND THE STATE NEEDS TO DOUBLE DOWN ON ITS ORIGINAL SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND INCREASE FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CAN STAY AS RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> SO JUST TO FLESH OUT SOMETHING YOU SAID THERE.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND LONGER, ESSENTIALLY GET LESS MONEY TO OPERATE THE SERVICES THAN THE MORE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS?

AND IF THAT IS THE CASE, IS THERE ANYTHING DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE OLDER PROGRAMS PROVIDE IN TERMS OF SERVICE THAT MIGHT WARRANT THEM GETTING LESS MONEY?

>> SO YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT; YES, THE OLDER PROGRAMS ARE GETTING SIGNIFICANTLY LESS FUNDING THAN THE NEWER PROGRAMS.

AND THERE REALLY IS NO DIFFERENCE TO THE FOLKS, THE PROFILE OF THE TENANTS THAT THEY'RE SERVING.

AND SO WE HAVE NON-PROFITS THAT ARE JUST SCRAPING AND SCROUNGING.

YOU SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS, THEY'RE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS TO NON-PROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS TO OPERATE THE HOUSING.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF OUR MEMBERS IN NEW YORK CITY DID A FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND SHOWED THAT THIS FIRST GENERATION SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CONTRACT THAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IS ONLY PROVIDING $5 AN HOUR FOR THEM TO PAY THEIR STAFF.

SO THIS NON-PROFIT HAS TO SCRAPE AND SCROUNGE TO JUST PAY STAFF A LIVING WAGE.

IT'S VERY CHALLENGING.

>> SENATOR, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE WAY TO ADDRESS THIS, ARE THERE ANY FORMS OF LOW HANGING FRUIT?

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY CAPITAL MEANS MONEY YOU CAN BORROW AND YOU KNOW, BORROWING IS JUST CREATING A PROBLEM FOR THE FUTURE SO THAT'S EASY TO DO, I GUESS.

IS OPERATING AID EASIER BECAUSE MAYBE THAT'S LESS MONEY IN THE SHORT-TERM?

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE STATE'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS THE DEMAND FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?

>> YEAH, WELL, IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT'S EASIER TO GET THE CAPITAL MONEY THAN TO GET THE OPERATING MONEY BECAUSE OPERATING MONEY IS NOT A ONE-TIME THING.

IT'S GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK EVERY YEAR.

BUT ALSO I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE CONTINUUM.

LIKE WHEN I WAS THE CHAIR OF AGING, I WORKED REALLY HARD ON THE NATURALLY OCCURRING RETIREMENT COMMUNITY CONCEPT WHICH ALSO STARTED HERE IN NEW YORK.

AND THE IDEA WAS LOTS OF PEOPLE MOVED INTO A BIG HIGH RISE APARTMENT BUILDING WHEN IT WAS BUILT AND THEN THEY STAYED AND AGED IN PLACE.

AND IF YOU TURN THAT BUILDING INTO EFFECTIVELY AN ASSISTED LIVING SITUATION FOR ALL THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO MOVE OUT.

AND IT'S THAT-- IT'S THOSE DISLOCATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO HOUSING INSECURITY, HOUSING AND EVENTUALLY HOMELESSNESS.

SO TRYING TO INVEST IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF HELPING PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES, WHETHER, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUPPORT THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NEED IN THOSE HOMES IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I ALSO WANT TO LIFT UP HERE IN SYRACUSE, WE HAVE THIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CALLED TINY HOME FOR GOOD THAT STARTED OUT AS FINDING SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF RESEARCH DONE AND INDICATION THAT HOMELESS VETERANS REALLY DIDN'T WANT, BY AND LARGE, CONGREGATE HOUSING.

SO HAVING INDIVIDUAL HOMES THAT THEY DO LIVE IN WAS A MUCH MORE LIKELY WAY TO GET THEM LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.

AND SO THEY BUILT A LOT OF TINY HOMES ON FORMERLY VACANT LOTS IN SYRACUSE WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR INITIALLY FOR VETERANS.

I THINK NOW THEY'VE EXPANDED BEYOND VETERANS.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE DIFFERENT POPULATIONS THAT NEED DIFFERENT KINDS OF HOUSING AS WELL SO REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE THINKING THAT THROUGH AND NOT JUST ONE SIZE FITS ALL KIND OF HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

IT'S A VERY BROAD RANGE OF TYPES OF PEOPLE.

WE WERE HEARING ABOUT PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS WHO MIGHT BE IN A MOBILE HOME OF SOME KIND THAT DOESN'T HAVE POWER AND, YOU KNOW, OR THEY'RE SQUATTING IN SOMEBODY'S BARN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO WHAT KINDS OF HOUSING YOU NEED IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE.

THAT'S A BIG QUESTION, TOO.

>> MEGHAN, IN TERMS OF THE ABILITY TO ACTUALLY BUILD NEW SUPPORTS FOR THE HOMELESS, WHETHER IT IS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR EMERGENCY SHELTER, WE CAN SOMETIMES HEAR ABOUT PUSHBACK FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

HAVE COMMUNITIES BEEN WILLING TO EMBRACE THESE SERVICES IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS SO TO SPEAK OR HAVE YOU FACED THAT NIMBYISM THAT WE HEAR ABOUT IN NEW YORK INCLUDING MY HOMETOWN OF SARATOGA SPRINGS?

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WITH THE INVESTMENT INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IT HAS LNL BECOME A DIRTY WORD IN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES THAT THEY DON'T WANT AN UNKNOWN POPULATION COMING INTO THEIR COMMUNITY AND LIVING THERE.

IT'S REALLY ROOTED IN A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS OF HOMELESSNESS.

IT EXISTS IN ALMOST EVERYWHERE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO ADVOCATE FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE BUILT.

IT'S FACED WITH BACKLASH FROM, I WOULD SAY A FEW ANGRY VOICES OF THE NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

BUT REALLY I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TRIED TO DEMONSTRATE TODAY AND WE HAVE ALL TOUCHED ON IS THAT THIS ISN'T AN URBAN ISSUE.

THIS ISN'T, YOU KNOW, ISOLATED TO CITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS EVERYWHERE.

PEOPLE IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THIS STATE COULD BENEFIT FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THAT CAN BE IN ONE OF, YOU KNOW, A WEALTHIER NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WHO WANT TO LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND I JUST THINK ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS, EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE AND THAT IS JUST NOT AFFORDED TO EVERYONE RIGHT NOW.

>> CAN I JUMP IN ON THAT?

>> YEAH.

>> I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT MEG MEGHAN IS SAYING THAT IT'S A HUGE CHALLENGE TO DEVELOPING NEW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND AS SENATOR KAVANAGH SPOKE TO, THE STATE PRODUCING UP TO 1400 UNITS A YEAR.

ADDRESSING COMMUNITY PUSHBACK IS REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S CONSTRAINING OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE AS MUCH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AS WE NEED.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB AT EDUCATING PEOPLE AND BREAKING DOWN THAT MISINFORMATION AND THAT STIGMA.

YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS.

WE NEED TO DO THAT MORE AND MAKE IT PLAIN.

AND I ALSO THINK THAT YOU KNOW, SENATOR MAY JUST SPOKE ABOUT TAKING VACANT LOTS AND BUILDING TINY HOMES.

BUT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, IF PEOPLE CAN SEE IT, THEY CAN SEE THAT IN MANY CASES YOU ARE TAKING A VACANT LOT OR BLIGHTED BUILDING AND TURNING IT INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY AMENITIES.

WE THEY'D TO DO A BETTER JOB OF BEING AMBASSADORS IN THE COMMUNITY AND I'M ENCOURAGED TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT NIMBY, NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE MAJORITY BUT THEY'RE VERY LOUD.

AND I AM ENCOURAGED TO SEE MOVEMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING YES IN MY BACKYARD IN PLACES LIKE LONG ISLAND AND WESTCHESTER.

AND SO I THINK WE ALL NEED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT CONVERSATION MORE.

>> AND REBECCA, WHAT ABOUT GETTING BUY-IN FROM THE POPULATION THAT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BECAUSE I HAVE TO IMAGINE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO SEE THIS AS AN IMPORTANT LIFELINE TO HELPING THEM GET THEIR LIVES ON TRACK AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BALK AT THE IDEA OF GOING INTO THIS SORT OF PROGRAM AND I'M CURIOUS, HOW DO YOU ENGAGE WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT POTENTIALLY BENEFIT FROM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY EMBRACING IT AND COERCIVE TACTICS EVER THE RIGHT WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?

>> COERCIVE TACTICS ARE SLIT NOT THE RIGHT WAY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE ABOUT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS THE SERVICES ARE OPTIONAL.

SO IT'S NOT AN INSTITUTIONAL SETTING.

YOU ARE A TENANT LIKE ANY OTHER TENANT IN THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE SERVICES ARE INDIVIDUALIZED.

THEY'RE BUILT FOR YOU.

AND YOU CAN CHOOSE TO ENGAGE IN WHATEVER WAY MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR YOU.

AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE TENANTS TO BUILD TRUST WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING IN THE BUILDING PROVIDING SERVICES TO THEM.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO INVEST IN THOSE STAFF SO THAT THEY CAN STAY AND CONTINUE TO WORK IN THOSE PROGRAMS AND BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH TENANTS.

WHEN YOU ARE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE, DOING A JOB LIKE THIS, THAT'S VERY CHALLENGING.

THERE IS A LOT OF TURNOVER.

THIS IS A CALLING FOR PEOPLE, RIGHT?

BUT YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO WORK IN THIS FIELD IF YOU CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT STAFF OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND IT'S AN EQUITY ISSUE.

PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE THE HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS PROVIDING THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE REALLY GETTING PAID WHAT THEY DESERVE AND CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE A LONG-TERM CAREER.

THAT THEN HELPS THE TENANTS BECAUSE THEY'RE STAYING THERE FOR THE LONG-TERM AND DEVELOPING THAT TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP.

BUT AS I SAID, COERCION IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE BEST STRATEGY AND, YOU KNOW, THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICES IS REALLY WHAT ENTICES PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.

>> YEAH, JUST TO PIGGY BACK OFF OF THAT.

I REALLY HAVE NOT FOUND, IN ALL OF MY YEARS OF WORKING IN HOUSING, PEOPLE BEING RESISTANT TO GOING INTO HOUSING.

THEY'RE GETTING BEAUTIFUL APARTMENTS.

THEY'RE GETTING SERVICES WHEN THEY WANT TO ENGAGE IN THEM.

REALLY IT'S-- THAT'S NOT WHAT FOLKS ARE RESISTANT TO.

AND I THINK OUR COMMUNITY HAS DONE I GOOD JOB, OUR PROVIDERS HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF MAKING SURE THEY'RE SAFE PLACES, THEY'RE MEETING PEOPLE'S NEEDS.

AND YEAH, THAT'S REALLY JUST NOT A POINT OF RESISTANCE, I THINK.

I THINK SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FEELS LIKE COMING HOME FOR FOLKS AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> WHAT ABOUT IN EMERGENCY SHELTERS WE OCCASIONALLY HERE THERE ARE FACILITIES THAT MIGHT HAVE STRINGS ATTACHED FOR YOU TO UTILIZE THEM.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S EVER THE RIGHT WAY TO APPROACH THIS TYPE OF EMERGENCY SUPPORT?

>> I THINK DEFINITELY NOT.

I THINK WE NEED TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT WHEN THEY'RE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

JUST LIKE YOU WOULDN'T DENY EMERGENCY ROOM CARE TO SOMEONE WHO IS EXPERIENCING-- IF THEY'RE ACTIVELY USING SUBSTANCES OR HAVE UNTREATED MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE IS NO REASON FOR US TO THEN ALSO DENY EMERGENCY SHELTER WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SUCCESS LOCALLY WITH WHAT IS CALLED LOW BARRIER SHELTER WHERE THERE AREN'T THOSE PRECONDITIONS ON SOBRIETY.

THERE IS NOT PRECONDITIONS ON SERVICE ENGAGEMENT.

AND IT WORKS.

SYRACUSE HAS HISTORICALLY HAD VERY LOW NUMBERS OF PEOPLE SLEEPING OUTSIDE AND THAT IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO HAVING LOW BARRIER SHELTER OPTIONS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, HOUSING FOCUSED AND MEETING PEOPLE'S NEEDS.

>> WELL, FOR SOME PEOPLE, THE ONLY BARRIER TO STABLE HOUSING IS THE COST OF THAT HOUSING.

AND TO THAT END, THERE ARE EFFORTS TO CREATE A RECURRING STATE VOUCHER, WHICH WOULD HELP SUBSIDIZE RENTS FOR ELIGIBLE NEW YORKERS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IDEA WITH STATE SENATE HOUSING COMMITTEE CHAIR BRIAN KAVANAGH, WHO HAS BEEN LEADING THE PUSH FOR THIS IN ALBANY.

HERE WHAT IS HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS.

>> I HAVE BEEN PUSHING SINCE THE LATTER PART OF 2019 FOR A LARGE SCALE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STATEWIDE AND MODELED AFTER THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM.

SECTION 8 PAYS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A THIRD-- 30% OF SOMEBODY'S INCOME AND THE FAIR MARKET RENT FOR AN APARTMENT IN THEIR AREA.

AND THAT HAS BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE AT STABILIZING, YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN NEW YORK, MILLIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A VERY LONG WAITING LIST FOR THOSE VOUCHERS AND WE, I THINK THE STATE COULD STEP IN AND AUGMENT THAT PROGRAM AND SO WE HAVE PROPOSED THE PROGRAM CALLED HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHERS AND THAT PROGRAM WOULD BASICALLY PROVIDE A STATE FUNDED VOUCHER.

WE WOULD RUN IT THROUGH THE SAME SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES SECTIONS 8 VOUCHERS SO IT WOULD BE EASY TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING.

AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY PROMPTLY EFFECTIVE AT DIMINISHING HOMELESSNESS AND ALSO STABILIZING PEOPLE.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT STRUGGLE TO PAY THE RENT FOR A LONG TIME AND THEN THEY LOSE THEIR HOME AND THEY BECOME HOMELESS.

MANY OTHER PEOPLE MAY STRUGGLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME, BUT OFTEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PAY 40 OR 50% OF THEIR INCOME IN RENT AND THAT KIND OF RENT POVERTY, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T LEAD TO HOMELESSNESS IS REALLY DESTRUCTIVE.

SO THIS IS-- THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT REALLY WOULD ADDRESS A LOT OF OUR HOUSING PROGRAMS STATEWIDE AND AGAIN BOTH HOUSES IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE PUSHED FOR IT AND CONTINUING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO GET THAT IMPLEMENTED.

>> SO SENATOR MAY, THE PROGRAM THAT YOUR COLLEAGUE REFERENCED IS ONE OF THOSE RARE ISSUES IN ALBANY WHERE THERE IS SUPPORT FROM GROUPS THAT MIGHT BE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED ON OTHER ISSUES.

SO WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHER PROGRAM AND WHAT KIND OF INVESTMENT ARE YOU GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR AS PART OF THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS IN 2025?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR, BUT IT ISN'T A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT IT REALLY, IF YOU CAN KEEP PEOPLE IN HOUSING AND THE LANDLORDS GET PAID, EVERYBODY YOU KNOW, THAT'S A WIN-WIN.

SO WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE AS I SAID BEFORE, STABLE HOUSING IS A PUBLIC GOOD.

WE ALL NEED THAT TO HAPPEN.

I THINK THERE WILL BE-- IT WILL BE COMPLICATED BECAUSE SOME OF THE RENTS THAT ARE BEING CHARGED NOW ARE REALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD CALL THEM FAIR MARKET RENTS.

AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU ARE PAYING A REASONABLE RENT, YOU KNOW, WITH THOSE STATE DOLLARS WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THAT PUZZLE.

AND THAT'S PART OF WHY IT'S HARD TO PIN DOWN AN EXACT NUMBER THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR, BUT I DO THINK EXTENDING THAT PROGRAM MUCH MORE BROADLY WOULD HELP A LOT, TOGETHER WITH, AS I MENTIONED, SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP PEOPLE IF THEY HAVE A RENT ARREARS AND THEY'RE FACING EVICTION BECAUSE OF ONE OR TWO MONTHS OF RENT THAT THEY HAVEN'T PAID.

MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN THAT JUST KEEPING THEM IN THEIR HOUSES.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT TENANTS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A NUMBER OF THOSE THINGS.

I THINK THAT THE PASSAGE OF THE GOOD CAUSE EVICTION LAST YEAR MANY COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN ADOPTING THAT NOW AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DOES IS KIND OF REIGN IN SOME OF THE EXTREME INCREASES IN RENT, WHICH THEN MAKES IT EASIER TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE A HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHER.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE NUMBER THAT HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND IN THE PAST IS $250 MILLION ANNUALLY.

MEGHAN, WE OFTEN HEAR ABOUT THE COST OF RENT AS A NEW YORK CITY ISSUE, BUT HERE IN SYRACUSE, I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THE HOUSING ACCESS VOUCHER PROGRAM, DO YOU THINK SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF RENT COULD MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE STABLE HOUSING?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

WE CONSIDER IN THE HOUSING WORLD VOUCHERS KIND OF THE GOLDEN TICKET TO GET YOU OUT OF HOMELESSNESS, TO GET YOU STABLY HOUSED AND IT COULD MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN REHOUSING FOLKS.

I DO THINK AS SENATOR MAY MENTIONED, THERE ARE CONCERNS WITH NO REGULATION OF THE MARKET TO FORCE PROPERTY OWNERS TO KEEP RENTS AT FAIR MARKET RENT, TO ACCEPT A VOUCHER, WHICH IS PART A VOUCHER SYSTEM.

BUT REALLY IT WOULD MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENT IN KEEPING PEOPLE STABLY HOUSED.

AND I THINK NOT JUST STABLY HOUSED, BUT IN NEIGHBORHOODS OF OPPORTUNITY, IN NEIGHBORHOODS OF CHOICE, BECAUSE VOUCHERS AREN'T IN SET PLACES, FOLKS CAN REALLY CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE.

THEY CAN BUILD COMMUNITY WHERE THEY WANT TO LIVE.

AND REALLY THAT WILL HELP WITH DECONCENTRATING POVERTY.

AND IT JUST GIVES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO FOLKS TO BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER, BE ABLE TO SAVE, BE ABLE TO INVEST IN THEMSELVES KNOWING THAT THEY'RE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY RENT BURDENED AS SO MANY TENANTS ARE HERE AND JUST TO GO BACK TO GOOD CAUSE.

GOOD CAUSE EVICTION, WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL THAT IT WAS PASSED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE ARE REALLY ENCOURAGING OUR MUNICIPALITIES TO OPT INTO IT AS THEY HAVE TO BECAUSE IT REALLY WILL KEEP TENANTS STABLY HOUSED, WHICH, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT HOMELESSNESS HERE LOCALLY, WE SAW A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN HOMELESSNESS WHEN WE HAD THE EVICTION MORATORIUM, EVICTION PROTECTIONS IN PLACE DURING COVID-19.

ONCE THOSE WERE LIFTED, HOMELESSNESS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.

60% YEAR OVER YEAR IN OUR REGION.

FAMILY HOMELESSNESS HAS INCREASED 192% IN FIVE YEARS.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT PREVENTION, ON KEEPING PEOPLE HOUSED AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> STICKING WITH THE SYRACUSE AREA, MEGHAN, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON RIGHT HERE.

WE'VE GOT THE PLAN FOR MICRON IN THE AREA, WHICH IS GOING TO BRING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THE COMMUNITY, WHICH COULD PUT MORE DEMAND ON THE HOUSING MARKET, BUT AS WE MENTIONED THERE IS THE GOOD CAUSE MEASURE, I THINK THAT RECENTLY PASSED THROUGH THE SYRACUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH COULD PRESENT SOME LIMITATIONS ON WHAT LIMITATIONS CAN CHARGE.

THERE ARE ALSO EFFORTS TO CHANGE THE ZONING HERE TO MAKE HOUSING PRODUCTION EASIER TO DO.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING LOCALLY, IS THERE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE HOUSING PICTURE IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS.

I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, WITH THE PASSING OF GOOD CAUSE IT WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO STABILITY FOR TENANTS.

BUT I DO THINK THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE PRODUCTION TO KEEP UP WITH HOUSING DEMAND RIGHT NOW.

IF WE HAVE AN INFLUX IN A BIG POPULATION INCREASE, THAT WILL ONLY STRETCH THE MARKET THINNER.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THE FOLKS WHO ARE AT THE BOTTOM RUNG OF THAT LADDER ARE THE ONES WHO LOSE OUT, WHO ARE THE ONES WHO ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY FACE HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD THAT ISSUE PREVIOUSLY.

>> AND TO SAY WE ARE DOING, WORKING ON A LOT OF FRONTS TO TRY TO INCREASE HOUSING PRODUCTION, I'M INTRODUCING A BILL FOR A REVOLVING FUND, A REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO BRING DOWN THE COST OF FINANCING CONSTRUCTION SO THAT WE CAN BUILD MORE HOUSING AND BUILD IT REASONABLY AFFORDABLY.

WE ARE WORKING IN SYRACUSE ON TRYING TO ADOPT THE MODEL THAT THEY'VE GOT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY , MARYLAND WHERE THERE IS A MUNICIPAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM SO IT'S A NOT-FOR-PROFIT DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM WHERE THEY BUILD REALLY NICE HOUSING THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO LIVE IN AND THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE IT MIXED INCOME, AND A REAL ENGINE FOR GROWTH AND BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THAT COMMUNITY.

I JUST THINK LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE IT LESS BURDENSOME TO BUILD THE HOUSING IN THE FIRST PLACE IS A POLICY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IN NEW YORK STATE AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT A LOT.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT THINGS THAT MIGHT INCREASE COSTS, THERE IS A VARIETY OF POLICIES BEING KICKED AROUND IN ALBANY, SOME THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO TAKE EFFECT LIKE THE REQUIREMENT OF ELECTRIFICATION OF HOMES IN THE FUTURE.

AND THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE STILL BEING BANDIED ABOUT LIKE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN NEW HOUSING.

HOW DO STATE POLICYMAKERS NEED TO BALANCE THE THE MANDATES THAT MIGHT IMPROVE PUBLIC LIVES BUT ALSO COULD INCREASE COSTS?

>> I MEAN WE HAVE TO BALANCE THEM.

I HEAR YOU AND I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE RIGHT NOW THE EMPHASIS HAS GOT TO BE ON BUILDING MORE.

WE CAN'T JUST SET SAFETY ASIDE, BUT THE MORE WE CAN BUILD, I HAVE A BILL TO KIND OF CHANGE HOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS DONE ON BUILDINGS.

IF THEY'RE BEING BUILT FOR, YOU KNOW, AFFORDABILITY, IN PLACES THAT HAVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, INFILL DEVELOPMENT, THAT RIGHT NOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW JUST INVITES ALL KINDS OF LAWSUITS THAT DRIVE THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT WAY, WAY, WAY UP.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THINKING A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY ABOUT WHAT WE MEAN BY ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S ENVIRONMENTALLY POSITIVE IF WE ARE BUILDING IN THOSE PLACES OPPOSED TO BUILDING MORE SPRAWLED DEVELOPMENT WAY OUTSIDE THE CITIES AND THAT KIND OF THING.

SO YOU KNOW, THINKING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY ABOUT HOW WE PERMIT SOME OF THIS CONSTRUCTION IS ALSO IMPORTANT.

>> REBECCA, WE'VE GOT A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON D.C. THAT'S SCHEDULED TO TAKE EFFECT IN 2025.

AND I'M CURIOUS WHETHER THE REPUBLICAN TRIFECTA THERE OR OTHER, I GUESS UNFORESEEN CHANGES THAT COULD HAPPEN IN 2025 AND BEYOND ARE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE BRACING FOR AS IT PERTAINS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR JUST THE CONTINUATION OF THE OPERATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY ONGOING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT QUESTION, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN 2025 BUT WE CAN LOOK TO THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WE CAN LOOK TO THINK TANKS THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH TRUMP AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.

AND SO I WOULD SAY THE RISKS ARE , FROM A FUNDING PERSPECTIVE AND ALSO FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE.

SO FROM A FUNDING PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE SPOKEN A LOT ABOUT HOW CRITICAL HOUSING VOUCHERS ARE TO HELPING PEOPLE MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSING AND GET OUT OF HOMELESSNESS OR JUST, YOU KNOW, STAY IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE HOUSING PRICES ARE HIGH.

AND WAGES HAVEN'T INCREASED.

SO SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE COMMONLY KNOWN AS SECTION 8, $3 BILLION OF THAT FUNDING COMES INTO NEW YORK STATE EVERY YEAR.

AND SO THERE IS A RISK IF THAT FUNDING GETS CUT, THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE BENEFITING FROM THAT FUNDING ACTUALLY FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS.

THE LAST TIME THAT THIS BUDGET WAS SLASHED IN THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION, WE ABSOLUTELY SAW A SPIKE IN HOMELESSNESS.

THE OTHER SOURCE OF FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVED THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

SO NEW YORK STATE GETS $300 MILLION OF HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS AND PRIMARILY THAT GOES TO FUNDING PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

SO IF WE LOSE THAT FUNDING, WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THOSE 62,000 UNITS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE ACROSS THE STATE WOULD BE AT RISK OF SHUTTING DOWN.

IT'S VERY SERIOUS.

SO NEW YORK, I THINK, REALLY NEEDS TO STEP UP, YOU KNOW, I MENTIONED THE FIRST SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN NEIGHBORHOOD IN 1987 DURING THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION, AS A RESPONSE TO THE MODERN HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.

NEW YORK NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER HERE AND DOUBLE DOWN ON ITS COMMITMENT, YOU KNOW, IN FACE OF WHAT COULD BE COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON.

JUST FROM THE POLICY PERSPECTIVE , THERE IS A REAL CONCERN RIGHT NOW WITH CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS.

SO THE SUPREME COURT, WITH THE JUSTICES THAT TRUMP APPOINTED IN HIS FIRST ADMINISTRATION, CAME TO A DECISION THIS YEAR ON GRANTS PASSED CASE, A COMMUNITY IN OREGON, WHICH ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS COMMUNITIES TO OUTLAW SLEEPING IN PUBLIC EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO SHELTER BED AVAILABLE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

AND SO WE ARE SEEING, YOU KNOW, AS A RESULT OF THAT SUPREME COURT CASE, A LOT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES, MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE STATE, STARTING TO CONSIDER BILLS OR ISSUE POLICIES THAT WILL FURTHER CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE.

NOW WE KNOW THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT A SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM.

PEOPLE WILL BE CYCLING IN AND OUT OF THE STREETS, THE SHELTER SYSTEM, JAILS AND HOSPITALS.

AND WE KNOW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS THE SOLUTION TO THAT.

SO YOU KNOW, I KNOW MEGAN CAN SPEAK MORE TO THIS BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON AND MAKING SURE THAT NEW YORK STAYS TRUE TO ITS VALUES AND WHAT IT HAS BEEN DOING FOR DECADES TO WORK.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE WE HAVE TO GO.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SOLICIT SOME CONTRIBUTIONS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I IMAGINE YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SUPPORT.

IF PEOPLE DO WANT TO HELP THE WORK THAT DO YOU IN CENTRAL NEW YORK, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO SUPPORT YOUR CAUSE?

>> YEAH, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL THINGS IS TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

IF YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COALITION, WE ARE OPEN TO NEW MEMBERSHIP.

SO IF FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET INVOLVED, THEY CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND VOLUNTEER WITH US OR SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE COALITION AS THEY SEE FIT.

>> I IMAGINE YOU ARE TAKING STRAIGHT CASH, TOO, RIGHT?

>> ALWAYS.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TODAY.

MY THANKS TO OUR PANELISTS, STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, A SYRACUSE DEMOCRAT, MEGAN STUART, DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING AND HOMELESS COALITION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, AND REBECCA ZANGEN, CHIEF POLICY OFFICER FOR THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING NETWORK OF NEW YORK.

AND TO CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH STATE SENATE HOUSING COMMITTEE CHAIR BRIAN KAVANAGH - OR DIG INTO PAST EPISODE OF CONNECT NEW YORK - VISIT W-C-N-Y DOT ORG SLASH WCNY.ORG/CONNECT NEW YORK.

AND FOR MORE POLITICAL COVEARGE, CHECK OUT THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM AT CAPITOL PRESS ROOM.ORG OR WHERE WHEREVER YOU DOWRN LOAD PODCASTS ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TEAM AT WCNY - I'M DAVID LOMBARDO - THANKS FOR WATCHING.