News: NY State to Fund $2.6 Million to help 300 formerly homeless persons with disabilities who are facing imminent eviction in NYC

Following up on our post about our advocacy in Albany with client Willie McCartha, we have this update on the State budget’s Medicaid Redesign Team Housing Program (note the great news for New York’s homeless men and women in bold!):

As part of the Program, the State plans to fund some 300 rent subsidies for former Advantage tenants living with disabilities (who, like Mr. McCartha, are former “Fixed Income Advantage” recipients).We’ve heard the State wants to implement this very soon due to the obviously precarious housing situation of the affected tenants.

The subsidies are part of the Governor’s newly-created Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Supportive Housing Development Program which was passed in the State’s 2012-13 budget in April.  The program will allocate $75 million a year to create thousands of units of supportive housing for high-cost Medicaid recipients across New York State.

The State will distribute the $75 million in funding to create as many as 4,500 capital and scattered-site units in the first year. It will allocate the funding as follows (see the full breakdown attached):

• $25 million in capital from HCR for NY/NY III acceleration
• $14.3 million in capital to fund the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) for upstate supportive housing projects
• $10 million to fund NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Supported Housing scattered-site rental and service subsidies; 350 units in Brooklyn and 350 units in the rest of the state
• $7.3 million to fund a 171-unit permanent supportive housing residence on land owned by Metropolitan Hospital to help move patients at Coler-Goldwater Hospital
• $6 million to restore and fund 2,500 existing and new programs through the NYS Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP — formerly SRO Support Services and Supportive Housing for Families & Young Adults)
• $5 million to fund operating and services in 410 NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) scattered-site apartments throughout the state
• $2.6 million to fund OTDA’s Disability Housing Subsidy Program, to be used to pay for ongoing rent subsidies for 300 formerly homeless persons with disabilities who are facing imminent eviction in New York City. 
• $2.4 million to fund operating and services in 125 NYS Department of Health (DOH) AIDS Institute scattered-site apartments;
• $1.8 million to fund NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for 180 community-based housing units
• $276,000 to fund a 115-unit supportive housing program — the Claremont Project — in the Bronx
• $135,000 to fund a supportive housing initiative for eight people with developmental disabilities who are currently residing in a nursing on Long Island.  

News: Project Renewal Supports Human Services Council Campaign to Protect Funding

Willie McCartha, center, with State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, left, and Patrick Paglen, Case Manager at 3rd Street on right.

Project Renewal joined HSC’s statewide advocacy campaign “Who Cares? I Do.” to spread awareness of the impact that funding cuts have on New Yorkers. Clients and staff travelled to Albany in March to meet legislators and share with them the importance of protecting funding for programs that provide healthcare and housing for Project Renewal clients. Specific concerns include: the implementation of Medicaid Reforms that threaten to reduce funds for human services and make access to services challenging for many vulnerable populations including homeless New Yorkers, and the suspension of the $15 million NYC shelter supplement that ended the Advantage rental subsidy for many shelter residents.

Client Willie McCartha has been directly affected by the loss of the Advantage rental subsidy. The program helped him move from our Third Street Shelter to a one-bedroom apartment in Washington Heights last year. Willie expressed his fears to NY1 News, “I don’t know which way to turn or which way to go… How can you cancel a program that help so many people? It’s sad.”

Willie travelled to Albany to share his concerns with legislators. “It was amazing to talk to people regarding the problem at hand. Each meeting was a little different and we covered all the bases. We spoke to the Social Services council, the Ways and Means Committee, and a representative of Senator Patrick Gallivan.  I spoke of my concern not just for myself but for the disabled, elderly, and children who would be forced into the shelter system.”

Watch the NY1 story with Willie McCartha.

Make your voice heard.  Sign the petition, share your story and spread the word.

March 2012

Our Secret Ingredient? Occupational Therapy Clinical Interns!

If you haven’t heard of Occupational Therapy (often called OT by insiders), occupational therapists work to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of their patients with a physical, mental or developmental condition.

Occupational Therapists often collaborate with clinicians from other disciplines, including medicine, nursing, social work, among others.

For many of our clients coming in off the streets, living independently presents many challenges that you might take for granted. For example, developing a menu plan for the week, shopping for groceries, learning how to keep food from going bad, or how to organize your living space might be something you learned growing up. OT steps into that role for our clients, aiding them in navigating the many new problems they face.

Now imagine how much harder this can be with those who also struggle with mental illness…not easy, right?

Our students are with us doing the psychiatric rotation of their training, and they come from the Masters in Science program in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University. Their enthusiasm and helpful trainings don’t just help clients, they help the students to gain a knowledge of how the least served in our community can benefit from this useful discipline!

So get to know our summer interns—and reach out to us if you want to know more!

_____________________________

Ashley Hunsberger, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

3rd Street Recovery Center

Q) What are you working on?

We work to help the clients take the next step in their necessary process. This includes life skills such as communication, stress management, and goal setting.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

UnderDog—he always surprised everyone by saving the day.

_____________________________

Konju Briggs Jr., Mental Health Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

3rd Street Recovery Center

Q) What are you working on?

Mental Health occupational therapy fieldwork at the Recovery Center on 3rd Street, running groups and doing one-on-one sessions with clients.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

Zen Master Bodhidharma

_____________________________

Hoan Nguyen, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

3rd Street Recovery Center

Q) What are you working on?

I am running the Lifeskills group at the Recovery Center, as of right now we are focusing on stress management.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

If you have heard of the legendary Monkey King, a Chinese legendary god figure, I would be like him. I grew up watching the Chinese TV series with my family and he made a great impression on all of us.

_____________________________

Anna Czinn, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

In Homes Now

Q) What are you working on?

I am running health and wellness groups and completing home visits to help individuals live more functionally and independently.

I am also assessing clients and writing letters on their behalf in order to assist them with obtaining disability funding.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

I would be Spiderman (but the female version)

_____________________________

Heidi Woo, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

Clinton Residence

Q) What are you working on?

I’m working at the Clinton Residence this summer, developing groups to facilitate the development of functional skills, and working with individuals one-on-one to identify goals and improvement areas in their daily occupations.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

Athena (old school “superhero”)

_____________________________

Stephanie Crane, Occupational Therapy Intern (Columbia University)

Clinton Residence

Q) What are you working on?

I am working to empower the residents there with independent living skills like money management, stress coping strategies, symptom recognition, and meal planning.

Q) If you could be any super hero who would you be?

There are so few female super heroes that the choice is somewhat limited, but I would want to be Elasti-girl from the Incredibles. She is a strong, independent woman who balances her dedication to her family with her duty to society.

Want to learn more? Ask Doug Warn, our Director of Training and OT Supervisor a question!

Ft. Washington's newest piece of fine art

The Medical Clinic at the Ft. Washington Men’s Shelter has a new piece of fine art!

Volunteer artist Katie Reidy, a student at the noted art school Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) painted a mural depicting an optimistic city scape with the words:

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Katie Reidy Bio:

I was born and raised on Long Island in a little town called Brentwood. I currently live happily in Yonkers. It’s got a lot more beauty that people just don’t give it credit for. As far as my art career is concerned, I feel I’ve only just begun. I did art as a student in High School, and enjoyed dabbling, but never took it serious until my dad told me I was accepted to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). I was threatened and inspired by the skills many of those students had that I simply did not. I couldn’t (can now!) draw a tree and make it look real like they could, or an apple, or a metallic surface. But what I had was my unique style and years of drawing out graffiti style behind me.

I decided that I wanted to go into a career where I can use that funky style. I got a BFA in computer arts to pursue that dream. While in school, I developed a program in which I teach children to draw graffiti style art using fine arts lingo intertwined. That class opened many doors for me. I was asked to develop a new mural for the town where I teach, which I did and received so much positive feedback. I was humbled by that but I also grew more confident in my work, and realized that the reason I like my job so much, is because my job is to make people feel good. I love painting to bring a smile to someones face.

A student said to me “it’s just so nice that I always see you go out of your way no matter what, just to make people happy…” it was wonderful to hear but I replied “I don’t know how much I am going out of my way, since that has always been the direction I was looking to go…” I think art should be done to make the world better, and that is my goal. 

News: Project Renewal Changes Lives! Parole Support and Treatment Program Graduates Share their Stories

When men with a criminal history try to turn their lives around, often the doors to permanent housing are shut to them.

We came alongside the men in our Parole Support and Treatment Program (PSTP) and secured permanent housing for 20 of our graduates.

Some comments from the clients in the graduate program:

Raymond J:

One of my greatest accomplishments has been decorating my new apartment. I can definitely call it home. Dealing with my anger through groups and being aware of my triggers has allowed me to live independently in the community.

Thank you Project Renewal.

Ivan B.

Having my own apartment has been a great experience for me. After having a roommate for some time, I really feel more independent. I am able to shop for myself and come home to my own place. Thanks to Project Renewal.

Frank C.

I am so grateful Project Renewal reached out to me while I was incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In my life I have experienced many great things, and one of those has been Project Renewal. I am very excited about having my own apartment in the Bronx and being able to work on “my music”. Even recently diagnosed with cancer, I remain grateful for this wonderful life that I have and for the opportunity that Project Renewal has given me.

Michael K.

What I remember is that Project Renewal has always been there for me. Helping me with budgeting, and encouraging me to take my medication. Now I know why!

Having my own apartment in the Bronx I am able to do these things independently. I have a checking account with direct deposit, my own computer and some nice things in my apartment. It beats being in jail!

Thanks Project Renewal.

Warren E.

It’s like living a normal life. I used to struggle with certain things in my life, but not anymore the Project Renewal staff are always there to help me and I am glad to say things have gotten better.

Thanks Project Renewal.

Carmelo R.

It’s the freedom that I feel when I enter my apartment each day. Not having a roommate means I can cook at any time without any interruptions. Having my own apartment has allowed me to work on my personal goals. I have completed an internship with Howie T Harp and because of that, I am working as a peer specialist. This program works if you work it. Thanks Project Renewal!

E. Taylor/Case Manager

As the Graduates of PSTP made their comments. I felt proud of the accomplishments and delighted to have been a part of their milestones. In a years’ time I have witnessed improved health, financial independence, family unification, community stability, and most of all a sense of pride that shines in each Graduate. Continued Success Guys!

D. Lindsey/Housing Counselor

I would like to thank all of the Graduates for allowing me to be a part of your ongoing success. Just being able to assist and encourage you all makes my Job meaningful and for that I am grateful. Rock on.

R.. Blocker/Program Director

I am very proud to lead the teams that were the conduits of our residents successful outcomes. I am still hoping for the day that all Project Renewal clients who put in the hard work toward positive change in their lives, have an appropriate place to call home.

You guys are certainly our role models, Continued success in your journeys.

Donate to help more men like these!

More than 1/3 of homeless men are _________...

Veterans!

While homelessness among the general population is a serious issue, high incidences of homelessness among the men and woman who served our country are especially disturbing.  On a given night in 2011, 67,495 veterans experienced homelessness in the U.S.   New York City alone documented 4,677 homeless veterans on a single night in 2011 – nearly 7% of the national total.

In an effort to better serve the men and women who served our country, members of the Project Renewal staff conducted a focus group with three clients who are also veterans.   Indio Casaine, Darrell Bristow and Mike Woods (pictured above) shared their personal stories with PRI staff, helping us to learn more about the unique needs of veterans and how to best help homeless veterans attain health, homes and jobs. 

New York City Homelessness: Rate Up 23 Percent (STUDY)

Response to Huffington Post

Folks are homeless for a number of reasons, but first it is important to distinguish between the chronically homeless and those temporarily homeless. The high cost of housing in NYC is another reason.

Last year we helped over 13,000 homeless New Yorkers, primarily those with a substance abuse history and/or mentall illness. We have found that what these men and women need to change their lives are comprehensive services—both transitional and low-cost permanent housing, psychiatric care, detox, job training. This is what we provide.

The chronically homeless got that way in a number of ways—war vets with ptsd, hard childhoods, genetics, but they often stay that way because the services they receive are not operating together in a supportive community.


http://www.projectrenewal.org/

NPR: A Push To Help U.S. Veterans Fight Homelessness→

As we seek to develop new ways to help homeless veterans in the coming year it all comes back to finding processes that work. We also have to agree that business-as-usual doesn’t work:

When somebody is sleeping outside, they may be using the emergency room for their health care,” Marge says. “They may be cycling in and out of prisons, and that’s very costly.

Check out this great NPR piece on the situation of homeless veterans in America

Trailblazing Housing Model Wins Support

Thanks in part to advocacy by our staff and clients who journeyed to Albany, an important new NY State initiative will get off the ground and help thousands get on their feet again. The Supportive Housing Development Program apportions $60 million for services, housing subsidies, and capital dollars for new housing as part of the Medicaid Redesign. Project Renewal pioneered supportive housing to combat the disconnected stream of expensive services that left the hardest-to-reach homeless isolated and stuck. This comprehensive model supports the struggling and vulnerable with housing, services, and job support in a community environment.

Learn more details of the program from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)