James Plastiras Director of Public Information New York State Office of Mental Health 518-474-6540 james.plastiras@omh.ny.gov

December 29, 2016

Office of Mental Health Announces Development of Supportive and Affordable Housing on Staten Island

Two Mixed-Use Developments Will Provide Housing Preference to Veterans and Staten Island Residents

ALBANY, NY – The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design and build two mixed-use housing projects on Staten Island. The developments will feature both supportive and affordable housing units, with preferential placements given to veterans and Staten Island residents. This RFP is a reissuance of funding formerly allocated to St. Joseph’s Medical Center for the development of supportive housing in Staten Island. 

“This proposal provides the people of Staten Island with opportunities for safe, affordable, and supportive housing in their own communities,” said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “We’ve listened to the concerns of Staten Islanders and worked with community leaders to create a plan which truly addresses the needs of Staten Island residents. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York is developing affordable and supportive housing at a record pace, and we are excited to deliver yet another high-quality housing development on Staten Island.”

Under the RFP, each development will include 25 units of supportive housing and 25 units of affordable housing for qualified families and individuals. Special priority for both supportive and affordable units will be given to veterans and Staten Island residents.
 
"I am pleased with OMH's decision to reissue the RFP for supportive housing. For over a decade, Assemblymember Titone and I worked with OMH to make sure the RFP answered, and balanced, the needs of the entire Staten Island community,” said New York State Senator Diane Savino. “This RFP includes smaller, subtler building size, a priority for Island resident placement, and ‎an emphasis on our veteran population. Going forward I believe the changes made to the RFP will be a better fit for the Staten Island community as a whole."
 
“Since taking office I, along with Senator Diane Savino, worked to ensure that this project was carried out in a manner that best benefited Staten Islanders in need in a way that balanced the needs and concerns of neighbors in an equitable manner," said New York State Assemblymember Matt Titone. "Where we are at today is the result of a lot of hard work with Senator Savino, myself, and the Office of Mental Health, and I firmly believe we have found a very good solution to a profoundly complex problem. In particular, we are addressing a great need in our veteran population here on Staten Island. This now allows us to get down to the business of helping to house these fragile populations.”
 
“This project provides much-needed support for our Staten Island Veterans," said Gene DiGiacomo, President of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421. "We welcome the news because as proposed, the project displays a true understanding of the needs of the community it plans to serve."
 
The RFP specifies that developers must abide by all local zoning laws. This requirement will help these buildings complement and become welcome additions to their home communities in Staten Island. Creating two separate housing developments on different parts of the Island will improve access for communities across Staten Island and create smaller, more integrated housing options for Staten Island residents.

Eligible applicants for this funding must be not-for-profit agencies that have experience in providing housing and supportive services for special needs groups and/or providing services to individuals with behavioral health concerns. Applications will be scored based upon multiple criteria aimed at evaluating a provider’s ability to both develop and operate a successful housing program for the target population, including a review of the provider’s current housing operations. Once awarded, providers must work to notify the community of their intent to develop a site, receive community support, and demonstrate that the site can accommodate the necessary units within allocated funding.

Project bids will be evaluated through the OMH RFP process. Submissions will be accepted until 4 PM 02/15/17 and tentative awards are expected on 03/17/17. To review the RFP, please visit http://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/.
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