Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $3.3 Million In Housing And Urban Development Funding For The Capital Region

Oct 8, 2014

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,341,280 in federal funding for cities and towns throughout the Capital Region. The funding was allocated through two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) and the Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS). Both programs are aimed at curbing the various struggles that low-income and homeless individuals face on a daily basis. Specifically, the FSS program provides training, education, and help with housing, giving the family or individual, time to develop and achieve self-sufficiency within the community. The second program, VASH, works with the Department of Veteran Affairs, with a direct goal of ending homelessness for veterans. The New York State Housing Trust Fund, located in Albany County, will receive a total of $1,976,574 in federal funds from both programs to carryout services and provide housing vouchers for citizens in need. Seventeen other cities and towns throughout the Capital Region will receive funds through both the VASH and FSS programs.

“One homeless family is one too many, and we must do everything to help provide people with a comfortable place to live,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding will help homeless veterans and families find affordable housing in the Capital Region, as well as help them find meaningful employment, which is critical to helping them get back on their feet. Our veterans willingly risked life and limb for our country and this investment will provide them with the services they need to build a life here in Upstate New York.”

“Everyone in the Capital Region deserves to have a safe quality place to live,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help our veterans and homeless families get the resources and assistance they need so they can have a safe place to call home and are able to gain additional skills so they can find good-paying jobs. This kind of investment will help keep more New Yorkers and their families off the streets.”

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) funds

Of the New York State Housing Trust Fund’s $1,976,574 in federal funds, $762,035 will be dedicated to the VASH program. The Albany Housing Authority in Albany County will receive both VASH and FSS funds as well—totaling $348,178—of which $143,539 will be dedicated to the VASH program. The Glens Falls Housing Authority in Warren County will receive $109,527.

Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) funds

Of the New York State Housing Trust Fund’s $1,976,574 in federal funds, $1,214,539 will be dedicated to the FSS program. The Albany Housing Authority in Albany County will receive both VASH and FSS funds as well—totaling $348,178—of which $204,639 will be dedicated to the FSS program. The Amsterdam Housing Authority in Montgomery County will receive $49,023 in FSS funds; the City of Johnstown in Fulton County will receive $32,694; the Cohoes Housing Authority in Albany County will receive $34,212; the Gloversville Housing Authority in Fulton County will receive $73,580; the Mechanicville Housing Authority in Saratoga County will receive $65,924; the City of Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority in Schenectady County will receive $104,153; the Town of Colonie in Albany County will receive $52,163; the Town of Guilderland in Albany County will receive $64,496; the Town of Rotterdam in Schenectady County will receive $54,340; the Troy Housing Authority in Rensselaer County will receive $129,863; the Village of Ballston Spa in Saratoga County will receive $41,276; the Village of Corinth in Saratoga County will receive $32,960; Village of Fort Plain in Montgomery County will receive $32,694; the Village of Scotia in Schenectady County will receive $28,539.

HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides housing vouchers and a range of support services for homeless veterans and their families. HUD’s Family Self Sufficiency program assists local social services agencies, community colleges, businesses and other local organizations in providing education and job training in order to help those participating in HUD’s housing voucher program and living in public housing gain marketable jobs skills. This program will help those utilizing housing assistance programs gain the education and skills needed to find and retain good jobs and become self-sufficient.