New York State must end homelessness.
New York State currently has over 88,000 homeless residents -- more than there have ever been in our state's history. Homelessness has risen by 41% since Governor Cuomo took office, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
New Yorkers deserve better government and better leadership. I'm pledging my support for a New York that:
- Fully funds and creates 20,000 units of supportive housing. Supportive housing breaks the cycle of homelessness by pairing permanent housing with on-site services for people with a history of substance abuse, and/or who have mental and physical health needs.
- Fully funds the Homes Stability Support (HSS) Program. HSS is a new statewide rent supplement for low-income families and individuals who are facing eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence of hazardous conditions.
- Renews and increases funding for civil legal services to ensure all New Yorkers have legal representation in housing court to prevent evictions and combat discrimination.
- Provides rental assistance for all low-income HIV+ New Yorkers statewide.
Right now billionaires, multi-millionaires, Wall Street and big corporations don’t pay their fair share of taxes, and working people pay more than our share. With the right tax and budget policies, we could tackle homelessness, turn the tide on income inequality and poverty, ensure adequate legal representation for all poor New Yorkers, and invest in our future.
I won't wait for Cuomo to decide that the most vulnerable members of my community matter. I'm calling on Gov. Cuomo to:
- Extend and expand the Millionaires' Tax to capture explosive income gains amongst the super-rich, a law proposed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the Assembly Majority Conference.
- Close the carried interest tax loophole that only benefits hedge funds and private equity billionaires through state legislation introduced by Senator Klein and Assembly Member Aubrey.
- Support the New York City "Mansion Tax" proposal, to tax the sale of luxury condos and homes worth over $2 million.
These common-sense tax measures would raise nearly $6 billion in new revenue to pay for critical housing and homelessness-prevention programs and address other root causes of poverty. Investing money in meeting the needs of poor New Yorkers will grow our economy, improve our communities and demonstrate real leadership for the nation.
It's time to take a stand for a truly progressive New York.
ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS OF THE ALBANY CAN END HOMELESSNESS IN NEW YORK STATE CAMPAIGN: ACT UP NY, Alliance for Quality Education, BOOM!Health, Bridging Access to Care, Citizen Action of New York, Churches United For Fair Housing, Community Voices Heard, FIERCE!, GMHC, Greater NYC for Change, Health and Education Alternatives for Teens, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, Housing Works, Hunger Action Network of New York State, Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, Labor & Religion Coalition, LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent, Make the Road New York, Met Council on Housing, MFY Legal Services, Neighbors Together, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth, New York State Coalition for Homeless Youth, New York State Council of Churches, New York Communities for Change, New York Harm Reduction Educators, Nobody Leave the Mid-Hudson, Partnership for the Homeless, Peer Network of New York, PUSH Buffalo, Strong Economy for All, The Brooklyn Anti-Gentrification Network, Three-Quarter House Tenant Organizing Project, VOCAL-NY, Washington Heights Corner Project, Working Families Party