ALBANY – State leaders have agreed on a package in the emerging state budget to address the growing homelessness crisis, the Daily News has learned.
The final budget will include nearly $440 million for anti-homeless services over the next four years, lawmakers say.
The budget “will prevent thousands of individuals and children from entering the homeless shelter system,” said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, the Queens Democrat who chairs the chamber’s Social Services committee.
The plan earmarks $220 million over four years that the governor originally proposed for rental subsidies for domestic violence victims, seniors, and working families who can’t afford rent.
Also included is $15 million for a new pilot project designed to prevent evictions by increasing housing allowances–some of which haven’t gone up since 2003, Assembly Dems say.
There’s also another $40 million in new funding for rental subsidies that Assembly Democrats say are needed to help stem the flow of people into homeless shelters.
Pop star Miley Cyrus will also be happy as state leaders agreed to spend $4.5 million on a program targeting runaway and homeless youth. The News recently reported that Cyrus had sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo asking for the funding, which had been proposed by legislative Democrats.
In addition, $1 million has been earmarked for emergency homeless needs and $34.2 million for shelter, transitional housing and homelessness prevention programs.
The News reported in February that the city’s homeless population reached a record 59,068, including 25,000 children. That’s up 10% since Mayor de Blasio took office in 2014.
“This is nearly $440 million in critical resources to combat these record levels of homelessness and prevent more families from being displaced,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said.
There’s also a $124.5 million toward a program that would provide services that allow individuals to live independently in housing outside the homeless shelter system.
The money would cover 5,000 units, far fewer than the 12,000 de Blasio says is needed in the city.
One item not expected in the final budget is Cuomo’s call for a minimum wage hike, which the Senate GOP would not support.
Cuomo and legislative leaders Thursday sought to close down the budget talks so a new spending plan can be enacted by the April 1 deadline.
A deal is said to be close, with the sticking points continuing to be education and ethics reform proposals pushed by Cuomo.
While many policy issues Cuomo had sought have dropped out of the final budget talks, Cuomo said he is holding firm on ethics and education reform.
“A successful budget means enacting these policies that will rebuild trust in state government and transform our public schools in a way that will impact future generations of New York’s children,” he said. “I will not sign a budget without real ethics reform or agree to a dramatic increase in education aid without education reform that provides accountability, performance and standards.”
