Homeless Housing and Assistance Program

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) is administered by the Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation (HHAC) in collaboration with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). The program was established under Chapter 61 of the Laws of 1983 and is governed by Sections 41 through 44 of the Social Services Law. The primary objective of HHAP is to provide funding through grants or loans for the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing to increase the supply of housing for low-income individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Eligible projects can include permanent, transitional, or emergency supportive housing, targeting populations such as homeless single individuals or families, homeless persons with HIV/AIDS, and homeless veterans. The State Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 allocated $153 million for HHAP. Of this total, $5 million is earmarked for projects serving homeless persons with HIV/AIDS, and another $5 million is designated for projects serving homeless veterans. Additionally, up to $1 million is allocated for emergency shelter repairs in social service districts with populations under five million. The program also includes specific funding for stabilizing existing HHAP operating projects that expired on or after April 1, 2025, as outlined in Section VIII of the RFP. The funding opportunity under HHAP is structured as an open-ended Request for Proposals (RFP), allowing applications to be submitted continuously until the allocated funds are exhausted or the HHAC determines the methodology is no longer necessary. Applications may be submitted by mail or hand delivery starting June 12, 2025, at 11:00 am. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the OTDA website for the latest information and confirm deadlines before submitting their applications. Eligible applicants for HHAP funding include not-for-profit corporations and their subsidiaries, charitable organizations, municipalities, public corporations, public housing authorities, and certain joint ventures. Projects that align with the objectives of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) are also eligible to apply for capital funding under HHAP. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity to fund emergency shelter repairs in designated areas, with the goal of maintaining or expanding housing services for vulnerable populations. Applicants are invited to participate in a webcast scheduled for May 19, 2025, at 10:00 am, to review the RFP details and highlight changes from the previous RFP cycle. The webcast link is available on the OTDA website. The application materials, including the full RFP and other relevant documentation, can also be accessed through the OTDA website at http://otda.ny.gov/contracts/2025/HHAP/. Funding awards are subject to the approval of the Commissioner of OTDA and the Board of Directors of the Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation. Final award determinations will be made based on fund availability and program priorities, and applicants are advised to consult the full RFP for comprehensive eligibility requirements, submission guidelines, and evaluation criteria.