Today’s Listen: Unfulfilled Hopes and Promises, State and City Unfinished Business

On the most recent episode of the podcast Max & Murphy on Housing, Coalition for the Homeless President & CEO Mary Brosnahan and Deputy Executive Director for Policy Shelly Nortz discussed current homelessness policies and the need for further action by the State and City.

They highlighted the urgent need for Governor Cuomo to release the full $1.9 billion set aside for supportive and affordable housing in the State budget. Cuomo promised to fund the first 6,000 units of supportive housing (of 20,000 planned units) in his State of the State address in January. The Governor and legislative leaders reached an agreement in the final hours of the session last week to release only $150 million for 1,200 supportive units, despite record homelessness statewide.

The podcast hosts, Ben Max and Jarrett Murphy, also asked about the City’s response to the homelessness crisis. Mary and Shelly commended Department of Social Services Commissioner Steve Banks and Mayor de Blasio for taking smart steps to restructure the Department of Homeless Services and improve the way police officers interact with emotionally disturbed people on the streets.

They explained, however, that more needs to be done: Medicaid reforms have made it nearly impossible for homeless people to access inpatient psychiatric care – even when they seek it voluntarily. Mary voiced additional concern that NYC is entering another long, hot summer with a still-rising family shelter census. She cited the records of the past four Mayors in underscoring the pressing need for the City to increase the allocation of NYCHA units for homeless families who desperately need a path to stable, affordable permanent housing.

Listen to the full podcast below.