New York State Homelessness Plans – 2026 (with Examples & Links)
1. Major Housing Funding – Housing Access Voucher Program
What it is: New York State’s FY 2026 budget includes $50 million for the first year of the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP). This pilot provides state-funded rental vouchers to help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless secure and stay in housing. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
Example:
Maria, a home health aide in Queens, was in a shelter because rent kept rising. With a Housing Access Voucher, she can afford a stable apartment while she works to support her family.
🔗 Learn more: NY Assembly press on HAVP — https://www.nyassembly.gov/Press/?sec=story&story=113952 (New York State Assembly)
2. Supportive Housing Expansion – Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI)
What it is: ESSHI funds supportive housing services (case management, health supports, job help) paired with affordable homes for people who have experienced long-term homelessness. In 2025 and into 2026, the state awarded nearly $46 million to expand services for thousands of units statewide. (Governor Kathy Hochul)
Example:
James, a veteran with health challenges, moves into a supportive unit where on-site services help him manage his health and stay stably housed.
🔗 More on ESSHI: Overview of 2026 awards — https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-more-45-million-fund-supportive-housing-statewide (Governor Kathy Hochul)
3. Capital Support for New Housing – Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP)
What it is: The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) provides grants and loans to nonprofits and local governments to build or renovate housing for people who are homeless or would become homeless without help. (NYS OTDA)
Example:
Tanya and her two children lived in a family shelter. A nonprofit used HHAP funding to build affordable apartments with stable rents — so they could finally move into their own home.
🔗 Learn more: NY OTDA HHAP page — https://otda.ny.gov/programs/housing/hhap.asp (NYS OTDA)
4. Preservation of Existing Housing
What it is: New York State also awards funds to rehabilitate and preserve existing supportive and transitional housing units, keeping housing available for people who might otherwise lose it. (NYS OTDA)
Example:
Robert lives in older supportive housing in the Bronx. State preservation money fixes the building and ensures his home stays safe and affordable.
🔗 Preservation news: OTDA press release — https://otda.ny.gov/news/2025/2025-12-23.asp (NYS OTDA)
5. Why Long-Term Focus Matters
What it is: Programs like ESSHI and NY Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) link housing with services (mental health support, job help, case management), which research shows leads to better long-term stability than emergency shelter alone. (NYS OTDA)
Example:
Angela, a social worker, helps clients like Tanya and James access housing plus services that keep them healthy, employed, and out of shelters.
🔗 More about homelessness services: NY Housing & Support services overview — https://otda.ny.gov/programs/housing/ (NYS OTDA)
Quick Links You Can Use
• NY Housing & Support Services overview (OTDA) — https://otda.ny.gov/programs/housing/ (NYS OTDA)
• FY 2026 Housing Budget Summary — https://www.budget.ny.gov/pubs/press/2025/fy26-enacted-budget-housing.html (New York State Budget)
• Housing Access Voucher Program info — https://www.nyassembly.gov/Press/?sec=story&story=113952 (New York State Assembly)
• ESSHI supportive housing awards — https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-more-45-million-fund-supportive-housing-statewide (Governor Kathy Hochul)
Simon R. Downes 