New York- March 11, 2025 - As the Senate and Assembly have released their budget proposals and now begin the work of negotiating a final budget with the Governor, the focus must be on tackling New York’s affordable housing and homelessness crises.

The Governor has made affordability the theme of her agenda this year. That goal cannot be realized without enactment and funding of the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), which we applaud the Senate and Assembly for including in their One House proposals. Given a very uncertain landscape related to rental assistance and housing funding, HAVP is the most impactful step that New York can take this year toward reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability.

In addition, we call for an increase in HCR’s Fair Housing Testing program to $7mm annually and codification of that program in New York State law. Federal funds have been stripped for fair housing organizations and New York must show its commitment to combating discriminating by stepping up.

Finally, we encourage the Assembly and Governor to adopt a number of critical issues elevated by the Senate, including increased funds for the Shelter Arrears Eviction Forestallment program, funds to support the launch of insurance captives outside New York City, and resources to study and mitigate the impacts of the benefits cliff.