Anthony Farmer

The agenda for Meeting 18 included a welcome and statement of goals, a recap of Meeting 17 progress—noting that enacted policies are estimated to reduce child poverty by up to 17.9% and increase household resources by an average of $1,100 per family—and an overview of Child Care updates. Child Care updates highlighted $4.5 billion in investments statewide to expand subsidies, make Pre-K universal for 4-year-olds, and build out care for 3- and 2-year-olds in NYC. The Council also reviewed and prepared to vote on issuing the draft annual report analyzing the 2026/2027 Executive Budget proposal as required by statute. Next steps involve utilizing a messaging toolkit to promote expanded early services utilization and continuing measurement and monitoring of progress.

The meeting included the President's Report, which provided an overview of 83 projects under development as of February 28, 2025, detailing their construction status and geographic distribution. Extensive discussion covered numerous project milestones, including the execution of Pre-Construction Agreements, Final Award and Final Loan Agreements (FLA) or Final Award Agreements (FAA) for several developments across New York State (e.g., projects in Rochester, Hamburg, Medford, Kingston, Bath, Gates, Newburgh, Harlem, Brooklyn, Ithaca). Amendments were executed for existing projects to address health and safety concerns, and updates were provided on numerous completed projects, noting their Certificate of Occupancy or final repair completion dates. The Treasurer's Report detailed available cash and cash equivalents. A resolution was approved concerning SEQRA Classifications and Findings for four specific projects. The funding report summarized State Fiscal Year 2024-25 HHAP Awards, noting that the RFP for existing emergency shelter repairs remains open. Agency reports from HCR, OMH, OASAS, and OTDA provided updates on LIHTC awards, open RFPs, ESSHI project pipelines, and HHAP application reviews.

The meeting included a review of the President's Report, which detailed that as of February 29, 2024, there were 93 projects in development, with 49 under construction. Key project milestones discussed included the execution of a Final Loan Agreement for the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. project, amendments to agreements for the CAMBA/CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc. and Lifting Up Westchester, Inc. projects, and the withdrawal of an award reservation by The Salvation Army due to securing alternate funding. Additionally, the East House Corporation project received a Certificate of Occupancy. The Treasurer's Report noted a cash balance of $49,474,647.36. The Board approved a resolution regarding SEQRA Classifications and Findings for five projects. A resolution was passed authorizing awards from the SFY 2023-24 and SFY 2024-25 funding rounds, totaling substantial funds for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and emergency shelter creation/preservation across various organizations. Agency reports covered updates from HCR, OMH, and OASAS. OTDA highlighted that the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) RFP is forthcoming.

The President's Report provided an overview of all 99 projects under development as of April 30, 2024, detailing the geographic distribution of construction projects. Key project milestones included the execution of Final Loan Agreements or Final Award Agreements for projects by The Fortune Society, Inc., Urban Pathways, Inc., United Veterans Beacon House (UVBH), and Rescue Mission of Utica, Inc. An amendment was executed for The Doe Fund project due to unforeseen conditions. Several emergency shelter repair projects by Joseph's House & Shelter, Inc. and Penates, Inc. were reported as completed. A groundbreaking ceremony was noted for the Ibero-American Development Corporation project, and DePaul Properties, Inc. withdrew an HHAP award reservation. The Comptroller's Report addressed Public Authorities Law reporting requirements and the presentation of the SFY 2023-24 Audit & Report, which resulted in a clean opinion. Resolutions were approved concerning the annual audit/reports submission and guidelines for property disposition. The Treasurer's Report indicated a cash balance of $27,788,038.02. The Board also approved a resolution concerning SEQRA Classifications and Findings for several projects. Furthermore, a resolution was approved authorizing six awards totaling $44,972,406 from the SFY 2024-25 funding round, which will create 227 units/313 beds of permanent supportive housing. Agency reports from HCR, OASAS, OMH, and OTDA provided updates on ongoing initiatives, RFP reviews, and project closings.

The meeting included reports on the status of development projects, noting 98 projects in various stages, with 36% in New York City. Key project milestones involved the execution of Final Award Agreements (FAAs) for the Altamont Program, YWCA Rochester, and St. Catherine's Center for Children. Amendments were executed for projects managed by RECAP, ETC Housing Corporation, and Cattaraugus Community Action (CCA). Several projects, including those by CAMBA/CHV, The Bridge, Inc., and The Doe Fund, received Temporary Certificates of Occupancy. Events included a ribbon cutting for CSE1/Community Services Sixth Housing LLC and a groundbreaking ceremony for Comunilife, Inc. The Treasurer's Report detailed a cash balance of $23,882,437.29. The Board approved a resolution regarding SEQRA Negative Declarations for four projects: Catholic Charities of Chenango County, WellLife Network, Inc., PathStone Housing Action Corporation, and Providence Housing Development Corporation. A discussion ensued regarding the waitlist for State Fiscal Year 2024-25 HHAP Awards, as available funding was exhausted for several reviewed applications. Agency reports covered HCR's LIHTC application results, OMH's procurement opportunities, OASAS's adoption of Recovery Residences regulations, and OTDA's recent STEHP award notifications and Balance of State Continuum of Care application status.