Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative

The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) is a State of New York funding opportunity administered through an interagency collaboration led by the New York State Office of Mental Health. This initiative is part of the broader statewide housing strategy funded through the State Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Enacted Budget, which prioritizes the expansion and preservation of affordable and supportive housing. The program is designed to address homelessness among vulnerable populations by supporting the development and operation of permanent supportive housing units. Multiple state agencies participate in this initiative, including the Department of Health, Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, Office of Children and Family Services, Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide service and operating funding for supportive housing units that serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness who also have disabling conditions or other significant life challenges. The program emphasizes a Housing First model, requiring low-barrier entry policies and voluntary supportive services. Eligible target populations include individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking, veterans, reentry populations, young adults exiting foster care, seniors with disabilities, and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Projects must demonstrate alignment with local Continuum of Care data or other relevant local planning data to justify need and design. Funding is structured as annual per-unit support rather than capital funding. Applicants may request up to 34,000 dollars per qualifying individual per year in the New York City metro area and up to 31,000 dollars per individual in the rest of the state. These funds are intended to cover rental subsidies, operating expenses, and supportive services such as case management, employment support, healthcare coordination, and life skills training. Capital funding for housing development must be secured separately through other programs such as the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program or housing finance agencies. Awardees must secure capital financing within 24 months of receiving a conditional award or risk losing funding. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations and Tribal Organizations that are properly incorporated in New York State and have demonstrated experience in housing or supportive services for vulnerable populations. Applicants must be prequalified in the New York State Statewide Financial System prior to submission. Applications must also include documentation such as a project workbook, program narrative, Continuum of Care support documentation, vendor responsibility forms, and required certifications related to workplace policies. Applicants must coordinate with local government units and obtain necessary letters of support where applicable. The application process requires submission via email by the stated deadline and includes multiple required components such as a detailed project description, budget projections, and evidence of community need. Proposals are evaluated based on four primary criteria: demonstrated need, projected impact, readiness to proceed, and cost effectiveness. A minimum score threshold is required for eligibility. The program prioritizes projects that serve populations with the highest unmet needs and those that demonstrate strong alignment with local planning efforts. The timeline for this funding round includes a release date of June 11, 2026, a bidder conference on June 16, 2026, a deadline for questions on June 24, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 23, 2026. Conditional awards are expected to be announced around September 15, 2026. Contracts are issued for five-year terms and may be renewed subject to funding availability. This initiative is recurring and expected to continue annually as part of the state’s long-term housing strategy. Contact for this opportunity is managed through the New York State Office of Mental Health, with submissions and inquiries directed to the designated procurement email. The initiative represents a long-term commitment by New York State to reduce homelessness and improve housing stability through coordinated, data-driven investments in supportive housing infrastructure and services.

Prioritize strong alignment with local Continuum of Care data and clearly demonstrate unmet need; ensure capital funding plan is realistic within 24 months; emphasize readiness and partnerships; clearly justify per-unit funding requests