New York (WRGB) — Governor Hochul announced $45.9 million in new funding to expand supportive housing services for vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

According to the release, the latest round of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) includes 200 conditional awards that will fund services and operating costs for up to 8,389 supportive housing units statewide.

These units are designed to assist:

  • Veterans
  • Older adults with disabilities
  • Individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorder
  • Domestic and gender-based violence survivors
  • Chronically homeless individuals and families

Hochul said the funding aims to help stabilize housing for residents while connecting them with services that support long-term independence.

Hochul said,

Expanding supportive housing options for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness is a key step in helping vulnerable residents in their recovery. Continued investments in the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative allows more New Yorkers to get and maintain stable housing within communities of their choice. This effort will help individuals and families move from crisis to long-term stability and independence, pairing compassion with proven solutions that enable them to rebuild their lives with dignity.

This year’s award total is the largest in the program’s nine-year history, following a 53% increase in annual funding secured in the FY26 State Budget.

The awards include 125 projects outside the New York City metro area, 21 on Long Island, and 54 in the city.

Supportive housing providers can use funds for rental assistance and to offer services including:

  • Behavioral and primary health care
  • Vocational and employment training
  • Child care and parenting support
  • Crisis intervention
  • Case management to help residents remain stably housed

ESSHI has helped support nearly 10,300 units since its launch in 2016 and is administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health with support from multiple state agencies.

Awardees must still secure capital funding for construction, renovation or reuse of buildings to finalize their projects.