March 4, 2022
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) today announced the availability of more than $3.2 million in funding for OASAS Permanent Supportive Housing Providers to provide rental subsidies for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). This initiative will help provide short-term transitional housing for individuals leaving OASAS residential treatment or correctional facilities who cannot otherwise access permanent housing. Up to $1.44 million is available in the first year of the program, and $1.8 million in the second year.
“A safe place to live is one of the most important factors to staying healthy, especially for people with a history of addiction. But it is an unfortunate reality that many people impacted by addiction face difficulties in securing housing that supports their health,” OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said. “OASAS is committed to safe and supportive housing for all those in need across New York State, and we will continue to work to provide New Yorkers with the assistance necessary to succeed in remaining healthy.”
The Transitional Safety Unit initiative is a pilot funding opportunity which will provide rental subsidies for up to two units at the county level fair market rent or actual cost, whichever is lower, for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. This initiative is designed to provide short-term supportive housing, with the goal to help individuals transition to permanent housing. While this funding is only for rental subsidies, providers will still be expected to deliver standard supportive housing services, such as case management, to tenants.
Information about eligibility and available funding for this initiative can be found here.
Senator Pete Harckham said, “The lack of safe housing is an obstacle to sustainable recovery for residents dealing with substance use disorder, whose transition back into daily life can be difficult enough as it is. The rental subsidies OASAS will make available to treatment housing providers will assist residents with their transition and save lives statewide.”
Assemblymember Phil Steck said, “New York State invests millions every year in recovery treatment and having access to dependable, safe housing is a critical to part of the recovery process. Releasing a vulnerable person to the street dramatically increases the likelihood of their relapsing, therefore we have a moral obligation to provide those in recovery the tools they need to succeed.”
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at [email protected].