Request for Proposal: Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI)

The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) is announcing the release of the 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP).

Governor Hochul’s State Fiscal Year 2023-24 Enacted Budget continues funding to advance a comprehensive plan for affordable and supportive housing to ensure New Yorkers have access to safe and secure housing. As such, the State is issuing this RFP to advance the goal of developing 1,400 units of supportive housing annually for persons identified as homeless with special needs, conditions, or other life challenges.

The complete ESSHI RFP can be found on the Office of Mental Health’s website under Procurement Opportunities.

Request for Proposal - Mission Safe Housing - Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The Department of Planning is excited to announce that we have published a Request for Proposal today for “Mission Safe Housing” with Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding.

The goal of “Mission Safe Housing” is to assist individuals and families experiencing a homelessness or housing crisis. ESG funds are available under this proposal to support five activities: Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter, Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Re-Housing, and data collection through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

Due Date: 10/20/2023 12:00 PM

Clarification Date: 10/10/2023 12:00 PM

Please review the Proposal using the following link: https://rfp.westchestergov.com/a789cd0d-c576-4396-8a7d-7677698af459

New Rochelle 9/11 Day of Service

New Rochelle Community Network wants to work together for this year’s 9/11 Serve + Remember event, being hosted here at Monroe College. In short, volunteers will be packing 50,000 meals to be redistributed back into the New Rochelle community. Please see all the pertinent information below.

 

Monroe College, in partnership with Volunteer New York!, Feeding Westchester, and the City of New Rochelle are proud to announce the upcoming Feed the Funnel project as part of Volunteer New York!’s 13th annual 9/11: Serve and Remember. We're on a mission to pack and redistribute 50,000 meals for local families in need.

 

This event isn't just about packing meals; it's about coming together as a community and to honor the spirit of unity that emerged after the tragic events of 9/11. Below are all the pertinent details. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Nicole Lowrance, who is cc’d in this email. Nicole is Volunteer New York!’s lead Manager on this event, she would be happy to answer any questions you have or assist your volunteer teams in signing up.

 

Event Details:

Date: Friday, September 8th

Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM (2 Shifts: 11-12:30, 1-2:30)

Location: Monroe Athletic Complex, 19 Lecount Place, New Rochelle

 

How to Sign Up:

1. Visit www.serveandremember.org. 

2. Click on the registration link for the Feed the Funnel opportunity to secure your spot.

3. Feel free to invite friends, family, or colleagues to join!

Fellowship Opportunities at NY Renews

NY Renews is seeking passionate organizers for three part-time fellowship positions to play key roles in this year’s Climate, Jobs & Justice campaign. The application deadline is less than two weeks away!

Links to the full job descriptions are listed below:

  • Coalition Organizing Fellow focuses on organizing coalition members, project management, and coalition operations

  • Digital Organizing Fellow assists in running our online organizing platforms including Action Network, New/Mode, and the peer-to-peer text platform Spoke, among others

  • Social Media Fellow will help manage social media, digital ads (Meta and Twitter), graphics, and online video (Reels/TikTok)

These roles are perfect for those passionate about organizing, writing, utilizing digital tools, social media, and climate and environmental justice issues. Applications are due by September 8th at 5 pm.

Kindly share these opportunities with potential candidates you think would be a good fit and reach out to marie@nyrenews.org with any questions.

Job Opportunity for LCSW, LMSW or LMHC

The Guidance Center of Westchester is recruiting for a licensed clinician to join our Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) team. Click on the link below for details. Please share.

Rate of Pay: $75,000 (LCSW) $65,000 (LMSW or LMHC) $60,000 (Limited Permit)
Hours: Full Time Flex
35 hours per week (Part-Time Possible)

Pay to Stay Bonus: $5,000

  • Supervision hours towards licensure

  • 17 days PTO (3.5 weeks) plus 12 paid agency holidays

  • Offer in-house Continuing Education Unit credits

  • 85% of license/certification exam or renewal fee reimbursement

  • Help with loan forgiveness-Some of our sites are NHCS approved

  • Comprehensive medical with no deductible, dental (free vision) and supplemental benefit package

  • 403b Match with 100% vesting (after two years)

  • Employee discount program (get discounts for movies, hotels, cars, car rentals, Broadway shows and much more)

  • Health, wellness and self-care events across the network

  • Free NYS Defensive Driving

Click Link to Apply

Licensed Therapist (Community Outreach) in Mt. Vernon, New York, United States (ttcportals.com)

Westchester CoC's Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) and Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) Presents: Accessing Services for Recently Housed Clients

Calling all Case Managers and Housing Staff!

Please join us on September 8th 2023 to learn more about services available to your recently housed clients! 

Join us to learn more about:

  • Accessing benefits

  • Peer Integration services

  • Employment services

  • Access to services through ACCES-VR

When: September 8th 10am-12pm

Location: Zoom 

For details and to register, please click here

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Policy Approved by the Board of Directors June 21, 2023

The WCoC is pleased to announce that the Board unanimously approved our new LGBTQ+ Inclusion Policy on June 21, 2023.

All WCoC member organizations who receive funding to provide housing and services to people experiencing homelessness must have an LGBTQ+ inclusion policy in place to certify HUD’s Equal Access Rule is observed, protecting community members from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender presentation.

2023 Meeting on Priorities - June 21, 2023

We want to hear from YOU about:

Current unmet needs

Suggestions to improve current services

Strategies to prevent and end homelessness

This open forum is your opportunity to help determine what will be included in and what improvements can be made to our core system for preventing and ending homelessness in Westchester County. The CoC partnership will review and consider these presentations as we determine county-wide priorities moving forward.

Attendees who would like to present are required to indicate this intention in advance. Presentations will be limited to 3 minutes. Alternatively, presenters who do not feel comfortable with public speaking or are unable to attend the meeting, will have the option to submit a written letter to be read during the meeting.

If you plan to present, please let us know when you register to attend using the link below.

Alternatively, presenters can email continuumofcarewc@gmail.com or mail to the Westchester CoC c/o Westchester County Dept of Community Mental Health office at 112 E Post Road, 2nd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601 or fax to (914) 995-6220 no later than 5pm on 6/14/2023.

Breakfast will be served for in-person attendees.

Doors will open at 9:30am.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: Planning and Management Services for the Westchester County COC Partnership to End Homelessness

The County of Westchester, acting by and through its Department of Community Mental Health, is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to provide planning and management services for the Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (“CoC”) program.

Due Date:

May 24, 2023 4:00:00 PM

Clarification Date:

May 16, 2023 4:00:00 PM

Clarifications to be posted by:

May 19, 2023 10:00:00 AM

To view the full RFP, please click here and scroll down: RFP (westchestergov.com)

Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness Presents: 2023 Coordinated Entry Workflow Refresher

Date & Time: May 17th 2023 1:00pm-3:00pm

Coordinated Entry Workflow Refresher :

Our HMIS Administrator, Daniel Gore, and our WCoC Admin team will walk attendees through the process of creating and maintaining Coordinated Entry project enrollments as well as answer questions attendees may have from using the system.

Who should attend:

The training is mandatory for all new staff who create, maintain or review Coordinated Entry enrollments. This includes but is not limited to CE Assessors, shelter & housing provider staff, case managers, outreach workers and DSS staff.

Click here to register

Mental Health Association of Westchester Job Fair - April 26, 2023

Join a team of passionate and innovative staff at

The Mental Health Association of Westchester!

The Mental Health Association of Westchester is recognized nationally and locally as a premier employer fostering mental health. We value lived experience, emphasize teamwork and provide professional training opportunities. From care teams to softball teams, working together is what we do best!

We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes mental wellness in our community. Our team is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our clients and their families, and we are looking for like-minded individuals who share our vision. Please join us at our upcoming Career Fair to learn more!

DTR Behavioral Health Mobile Clinician needed!

Wednesday, April 26
9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Hampton Inn
200 W. Main Street, Elmsford, NY 10523

Transition Linkages Fair

Westchester County Presents: The 18th Annual Transition Linkages Fair!

An Event for Parents, Educators & Advocates to Learn more about Adult Services & Transition Planning

Visit with Representatives from more than 60 Vendors

Serving Westchester County for Information on:

  • Adult Day Programs

  • Benefits & Financial
    Planning'

  • Care Coordination
    Organizations
    Clinical & Behavioral
    Services

  • Eligibility & HCBS-
    Waiver

  • Prevocational Programs

  • Postsecondary Education

  • Transition Services and
    Programs

  • Supported Employment

WCoC Presents: 2023 Spring Symposium

Join us for our annual Spring learning event! Please use the form at the bottom of this page to register. 

3/22/2023 - Human Trafficking Training: Presenter David M. Ryan will present to us about the impact of Human Trafficking on the people and communities we serve. He will provide concrete action steps on what to do if you or your organization is serving someone who isexperiencing trafficking. This training is open to all personnel at every level. This training is recommended to all staff providing direct client care.

3/28/2023 - Coordinated Entry Workflow Refresher: Our HMIS Administrator, Daniel Gore, and our WCoC Admin team will walk attendees through the process of creating and maintaining Coordinated Entry project enrollments as well as answer questions attendees may have from using the system. This training is mandatory for all new staff who create, maintain or review Coordinated Entry enrollments. This includes but is not limited to CE Assessors, shelter & housing provider staff, case managers, outreach workers and DSS staff.

3/30/2023 - HMIS Case Notes Training: On January 1, 2023 the use of Case Notes to update colleagues serving the same individuals and families in our system became mandatory. This training will outline what types of activities, status changes and special circumstances that require case notes to keep everyone in the loop effectively. This training is mandatory for all CE Assessors and outreach workers, as well as all housing and homelessness prevention providers that receive referrals from Coordinated Entry.

Senior Housing 62+: Manhattan Avenue Senior Apartments - NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

MANHATTAN AVE SENIOR APARTMENTS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Affordable Units Available for Qualifying Seniors Aged 62+ 

GREENBURGH, NY__ The Greenburgh Housing Authority’s new senior affordable housing complex built in partnership with Georgica Green Ventures, at 52 Manhattan Avenue, adjacent to the Theodore D. Young Community Center, is now leasing, with 44 one-bedroom apartments available. 

The units are all one-bedrooms reserved for households aged 62+ with incomes at or below 30%-60% of the Westchester Area Median Income, with rents between $597-$1,367 depending on what AMI percentage you fall in. 

Tenant pays utilities (appliances and heat are all electric), with trash and sewer included in rent. 

An application and further information is attached. Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2023. A public lottery will be held on April 21 at noon at the GHA, 9 Maple Street, White Plains, NY.The beautiful new affordable housing apartments on Manhattan Ave will enhance the quality of life of senior citizens and increase the property value of the surrounding community. Many seniors have contacted me in recent months inquiring how they can be considered for this development which is within walking distance of shopping at Crossroads shopping center, the Theodore Young Community Center, Route 119. 

The CHALENG Process: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Homeless Veterans

Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) unites homeless service providers, advocates, Veterans and concerned citizens toward the goal of meeting the evolving needs of Veterans who are homeless.
This process describes the needs of homeless Veterans, identifies the barriers they face in obtaining permanent housing and works to resolve them through planning and cooperative action.

Since 1994, CHALENG has built thousands of partnerships—involving community and Veterans’ groups, law enforcement agencies and federal, state and local government—that are improving services for homeless Veterans. Project CHALENG has two main components:
• CHALENG surveys that assess local challenges faced by homeless Veterans, identify unmet needs and encourage partnership action to meet those needs
• CHALENG meetings fostering collaboration between VA and community service providers to address CHALENG-identified barriers to housing Veterans who are homeless and preventing homelessness among Veterans.

Data from CHALENG has assisted VA in developing new services for Veterans, including the Homeless Veteran Dental Program, the expansion of the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing program, the Veterans Justice Outreach programs and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.

Community organizations also use CHALENG data in applications for grants that assemble VA, other government and foundation dollars to address the local needs of Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Affordable housing opportunity: 645 Main Street, Peekskill, NY

645 MAIN STREET, PEEKSKILL, NY

82 Units available!

Amenities: Lounge with access to rooftop landscaped courtyard. Computer Center, Fitness Center, and Central Laundry. Walking distance to Metro North train and downtown. Parking garage with EV stations. Energy efficient green design.

Application Due: March 20, 2023

Lottery will be held via Zoom on March 31st 2023 at 3pm.

Income restrictions apply.

HUD Publishes HOTMA Final Rule Preview

On January 31, 2023, HUD posted a preview version of the final rule implementing sections 102, 103, and 104 of the Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) (P.L. 114-201).

Only certain portions of sections 102 and 104 apply to Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs. Specifically, these sections affect current and potential beneficiaries of affordable housing activities, public facilities and improvements, and public service activities funded through CPD programs.

In addition, the rule includes conforming regulatory changes to four CPD programs:

  • HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

  • Housing Trust Fund (HTF)

  • Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

  • Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program (HOPWA)

The effective date of the provisions applicable to CPD programs will be established upon publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. CPD grantees may not implement these provisions prior to the effective date.

Read the Preview Version of the HOTMA Final Rule

Sections 102 and 104

The changes made by sections 102 and 104 of HOTMA are described below:

  • Section 102 revises the definition and calculation of annual and adjusted income and addresses how income and eligibility is determined, including the frequency of income reviews. It also creates a safe harbor to allow the use of an income eligibility determination of another provider of federal public assistance; increases the threshold for certain deductions made when calculating adjusted income; creates financial hardship exemptions for adjusted income; and eliminates the use of the Earned Income Disallowance.

  • Section 104 defines net family assets, establishes an asset limitation for families based on the value of net family assets and property ownership, and provides exceptions for certain investments, including retirement savings and modest increases in income.

Additional Guidance and Resources

The applicability of HOTMA varies by CPD program. Program-specific guidance, resources, tools, and training to implement the new HOTMA provisions will be posted on HUD’s website and the HUD Exchange as they become available.