Statement Of CPC President Rafael Cestero In Support Of Housing Advocates Push To Include $2.5 Billion In Critical Housing Funds In State Budget

With the State’s final 2017-2018 budget due on April 1st, 2017, The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) joined a coalition of affordable housing advocacy organizations in Albany, NY today to push for an agreement on the $2.5 billion in funding Governor Cuomo has promised in his housing plan to address critical housing needs across New York State.

The coalition included the New York Housing Conference (NYHC), New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), Enterprise Community Partners, the Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY), the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, LISC New York City, LeadingAge New York, LiveOn NY and CPC.

“In the face of a hostile federal budget that would cripple affordable housing programs and put vulnerable citizens at risk, I join my colleagues in calling on our elected leaders to come together and show that New Yorkers fight for our communities.

“Eliminating and slashing HUD programs means that state resources will be critical in supporting and preserving our already drastically underfunded Public Housing stock which is home to hundreds of thousands of low-income families. Without a commitment from the state, supportive housing production will be at risk, threatening the efforts to comprehensively address homelessness in cities large and small.

“We must also ensure that the resources exist to maintain the stability of our small buildings. They serve as a haven of affordability throughout the State and are where the majority of low-income renters in New York live.

“The Governor’s housing plan promised an unprecedented investment to address housing priorities across the state. Time is running out, and it is vital that we all work together to deliver on that promise.”

– Rafael E. Cestero, President & CEO, The Community Preservation Corporation

 

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