NY State Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that up to $50 million has been made available to help preserve up to 500 Single Room Occupancy apartments across New York State. SRO units are typically rented as one room that also contains a sink and stove with access to a shared bathroom in the public corridor of the building. The funding, available through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, will be used for preservation projects that rehabilitate SRO units to bring them into a state of good repair and add private bathrooms to these units where possible.
“Existing single-room occupancy units are an important aspect of the affordable housing ecosystem, especially for vulnerable individuals that are eligible for supportive services such as those experiencing chronic homelessness, victims of domestic violence, those living with physical disabilities, and individuals suffering from mental illness,” Governor Hochul said. “By creating this program, we are adding an important tool to our toolbox as we work to combat the housing crisis, particularly in New York City where these types of apartments provide a safe, secure, affordable home for thousands of residents.”
This new SRO preservation program is part of the Governor Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations.
Financing for SRO preservation will be made available through HCR’s current Supportive Housing Preservation Program, which is designed to preserve and improve existing, permanent supportive housing units, including those funded though the Homeless Housing Assistance Program and by the NYS Office of Mental Health.
The program funding can be used for rehabilitation and related costs to address existing conditions, replace existing components that are beyond their useful life, and include sustainability improvements to extend the useful life and energy efficiency of the project. Details about HCR’s Supportive Housing Program and SRO preservation can be found online here.
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Single Room Occupancy units are a vital affordable housing resource and often are aligned with supportive services that play an important role in protecting vulnerable residents and allowing them to remain in their communities and neighborhoods. This innovative $50 million initiative will enhance our existing resources and better ensure that SROs across the state are safe, functional, and in good repair for the people who rely on them for a place to call home.”
December 12 2023 Albany NY
Source: governor.ny.gov –
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