For Immediate Release
Contact: Leanne Ricchiuti, Headline Media for Association for Community Living, 518.222.8073
January 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Association For Community Living Recognizes Governor Kathy Hochul’s Continued Support of Mental Health Needs for New Yorkers
(Albany, N.Y.) – The Association for Community Living (ACL) appreciates Governor Hochul’s continued recognition of the critical role mental health housing and human services play in supporting New York’s most vulnerable residents. The proposed 2.1% Inflationary Increase for human services represents an important acknowledgment of the rising costs faced by providers. However, this falls short of the 7.8% inflationary adjustment needed to adequately address rising costs and the ongoing challenges within our sector.
This year, ACL is calling for a 7.8% inflationary adjustment to contract rates and $230 million in additional funding to address persistent recruitment and retention issues in the mental health housing workforce. With turnover rates nearing 50%, programs are struggling to maintain continuity of care. Robust financial support is essential to ensuring the sustainability of these services, as well as creating safer and more supportive environments for residents.
We applaud the Governor’s commitment to additional investments in the Empire State Supported Housing Initiative (ESSHI). This year’s Executive Budget Proposal would increase ESSHI rates from $25,000 to $31,000 per unit, with an additional $3,000 for units in the metro NYC area ($34,000 total). While we await the specifics of the investment, any increase in ESSHI funding is a step in the right direction toward providing comprehensive support to residents who rely on these programs.
“Governor Hochul’s proposed investments show a commitment to New Yorkers in need, but we urge the administration to go further,” said Douglas Cooper, Acting Executive Director of the Association for Community Living. “We need an increased stable and qualified workforce to care for the individuals experiencing mental health challenges. And the only way to attract and retain that workforce is by paying them a living wage. Our mental health services providers need to be able to keep pace with high inflation and pay their workers what is necessary to afford basic needs, such as housing, child care and health care.”
Cooper continues, “A 7.8% adjustment to contract rates, and additional funding for mental health housing would ensure we can attract and retain the workforce needed to provide essential care, while strengthening the programs that so many rely on to live with dignity and independence.”
ACL remains dedicated to working with state leaders to address these critical issues and to advocate for the resources necessary to sustain and improve mental health housing services across New York State.
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