MRT Affordable Housing Work Group Considers Priorities for This Year's Funding

The Medicaid Redesign Team’s (MRT) Affordable Housing Work Group met last Fri., Feb. 21st to consider priorities for funding allocated in the budget. The Governor has proposed $100 million for these initiatives, and the advisory group helps inform the process.  LeadingAge New York is appointed to the group and submitted two proposals, in conjunction with other work group members, for consideration.

The first proposal is to ensure increased, ongoing support for the senior pilot, which was created last year, with the subsequent grant opportunity nearly ready to be issued. The pilot would enable affordable housing entities to apply for grants to support capital and service interventions that will save Medicaid dollars. LeadingAge New York raised concern that some initiatives, without the promise of future support, would be risky for providers to undertake. The Department of Health reported that the pilot has $2 million allocated for this upcoming fiscal year, and an additional $2 million for the following year. LeadingAge New York is pleased to know that there is the potential for some projects that show promise to receive continued funding.

In addition, LeadingAge New York developed a proposal to create a housing subsidy for participants of Managed Long Term Care or the Federally Integrated Duals Advantage (FIDA) demonstration. It was recommended that individuals receive the subsidy when the plan identifies that the intervention of housing would save significant Medicaid dollars - this would support nursing home transitions as well as diversions. It was proposed that it operate much like the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver subsidy, for which LeadingAge New York also supports continued funding. 

There were several other proposals that LeadingAge New York supports, including an increase in Access to Home funding and support for the development of special needs assisted living for the Medicaid population. Of course, the current key priority is to ensure that the Governor's proposed funding remains through the budget negotiations. The meeting materials, which includes a summary of the proposals discussed, can be accessed here.

We encourage member feedback as we continue discussions to finalize funding priorities in the weeks to come.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828