Last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his preliminary 2017 fiscal year budget for New York City. The budget which totals $82.1 billion funds the Mayor’s promise to raise the minimum wage for city workers and provides additional support to combat homelessness.
In particular, the Mayor is calling for additional FY2017 investments of $8 million for a Shelter Repair Squad 2.0; $12.3 million to move New Yorkers out of illegal, unsafe, and unstable housing to permanent homes; $4 million for “Homebase” Prevention to double the number of single adults at risk of homelessness assisted to stay in their homes; $16.9 million for adult shelter programming to help over 10,000 clients find employment; and $12.5 million to operate the first of 15,000 new supportive housing units.
The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will also receive funding for expanded staff capacity to implement the 200,000-unit Housing New York plan and participate in homeless shelter and three quarter housing inspections as follows:
• New HPD Staff- The addition of 80 positions (in various offices including Development, the Office of Neighborhood Strategies, Technology and Strategic Development, and Asset & Property Management) and $6.8 million in city tax levy funding to support the continued success of Housing New York.
• The addition of 10 positions to implement the Local Law #462 Elevator Repair Program. The program will officially rollout in FY17. A total of $6.5 million in FY2017 will be tax levy but the remaining program funding will be covered with Community Development Block Grant funding (CDBG).
• Funding to cover the HPD’s participation in the DHS Shelter Inspection Task Force. Since May, HPD has been part of the Shelter Repair Squad, working with other City agencies to identify and address problems in the City’s homeless shelters. Mayor de Blasio recently announced a new inspection, repair, and capital improvement plan – Shelter Repair Squad 2.0 – to promote the long-term sustainability of emergency shelter housing, greatly expanding HPD’s role in the effort.
• The addition of 4 positions and $7.8 million to support the continued inspection and relocation of individuals impacted from the three quarter house initiative.