In 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo made a $20 billion, five-year affordable housing commitment.

At the time, the goal was to provide safe, affordable housing by building and preserving more than 100,000 units, 6,000 of which would be supportive housing.

Supportive housing is probably the best tool in government’s toolkit to prevent chronic homelessness. It’s housing that is subsidized, and also includes wraparound services to keep families and individuals in the home. 

According to Laura Masuch, executive director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, the governor’s 2021-22 executive budget proposal funds supportive housing, but her organization is also hoping for another five-year commitment. 

"The Network is thrilled with the $250M for year six of the governor’s 20k-unit supportive housing pledge, and we look forward to the next five-year commitment as part of state’s Housing Plan," Masuch told Capital Tonight. "We're delighted the governor recognizes supportive housing's crucial role in ending homelessness, rebuilding NY.”