HCR Posts Annual Action Plan for Public Comment

In order to maintain its eligibility to administer certain federal funds for affordable housing and community development, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) must prepare an Annual Action Plan (AAP) and submit it to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The proposed AAP can be found by clicking here.

The AAP describes the State’s proposed use of available federal and other resources to address the priority needs and specific objectives in the five-year Consolidated Plan submitted to HUD, the State’s method for distributing funds to local governments and not-for-profit organizations, and the geographic areas of the State to which it will direct assistance. The AAP also describes NYS’s planned use of approximately $68 million in federal fiscal year 2015 funds for the: NYS Community Development Block Grant Program ($42 million); HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($19 million); Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program ($2.4 million); and Emergency Solutions Grants Program ($5.3 million).

A 30-day public comment period began on Thursday, September 4, 2014 and extends through close of business on Friday, October 3, 2014.

As a member of HCR’s National Affordable Housing Act Task Force and the Partnership Advisory Committee, LeadingAge NY participated in a meeting on July 24 regarding the 2015 AAP.

LeadingAge NY addressed the panel on the following points:

• Federal funding for the Section 202 program has been eliminated for senior housing development. The HOME and CDBG funds are critical for new construction and redevelopment of senior housing, thus we expressed concern about the reduction of HOME programs funds; 
• Funds will soon be awarded for the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Senior Supportive Housing Program that will help pilot ways to provide support in affordable senior housing, with the aim of saving Medicaid dollars. We recommended that HCR monitor the progress of these programs as we anticipate they will provide significant return on investment; 
• Nine percent Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) are important to assist in developing innovative housing with services programs that could save significant state Medicaid dollars. Such tax credits can support seniors to receive services in a low cost setting, rather than institutional care. Thus, HCR should develop a nine percent set-aside for senior housing; and,
• Ongoing operational costs and burdensome regulations can make operating a LIHTC program very difficult. Discussion is needed on how to develop a senior housing with support services model, including the roles of the owner/operator, syndicator, lender, developer, state agencies, federal agencies and elected officials.

LeadingAge NY will continue to explore ways to increase funding and advocate for reasonable regulations to develop and renovate affordable senior housing in New York State.

 Contact: Ken Harris, kharris@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8835