ALBANY – A coalition of groups is launching a campaign this week to push Gov. Cuomo to follow through on a promise to fund thousands of new supportive housing units before the legislative session ends next month.
The Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing is calling on Cuomo to cut a deal with the Legislature to release the $2 billion for affordable housing agreed to in the state budget adopted on April 1.
“The fact that nothing has happened for almost two months can only mean one of two things: either his administration is paralyzed by the various investigations or his commitment was nothing more than political theater from the beginning,” one Albany insider groused.
Cuomo announced in his joint state of the state/budget speech in January a $20 billion plan to address affordable housing and the growing homeless problem.
The $2 billion agreed to in the state budget was the first down payment, though it was not spelled out how it would be spent.
That was left up to Cuomo and the legislative leaders to negotiate later as part of a memorandum of understanding.
With the legislative session set to conclude on June 16, the groups plan to target Cuomo to make it happen.
“New York’s most vulnerable families are paying the price for this needless delay,” said Laura Mascuch, executive director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York.
The frustration has worsened and the rhetoric has grown angrier from the beginning of the month when the different groups sent a letter to Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan asking that they act quickly.
“Promises don’t build housing,” said Mary Brosnahan, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless. “Tens of thousands of homeless New Yorkers await the governor to take immediate action and make good on his promise to build supportive housing. We need Gov. Cuomo’s leadership to secure the required MOU.”
Added Assembly Social Services Committee Chairman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens): “I hope the governor keeps his word.”
Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi reiterated his statement from May 2 that “we are actively engaged with the Legislature to get this funding out the door and into affordable housing programs as soon as possible, because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable and decent place to call home.”
