Relates to integrated housing

2 Co-sponsors

• David Carlucci
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer

BILL NUMBER:S7431A

Title of bill

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to integrated housing

Purpose

This legislation has the commissioner of mental hygiene, in consultation with the developmental disabilities advisory council, the department of health, the division of housing and community renewal, and the most integrated settings coordinating council and other agencies as determined appropriate by the commissioner establish a plan to increase housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities

Summary of provisions

Section 1 Amends the mental hygiene law by adding a new section 13.42

Justification

When the Federal government and New York State entered into the Transformational Agreement, the state agreed to close its remaining developmental centers, and OPWDD is required to provide integrated housing opportunities for most of the over 1,000 individuals transitioning into the community. New York State is also required to transition the residents of all remaining campus and non-campus based ICFs to community based settings. This agreement does not address the amount of individuals with developmental disabilities who live with family caregivers, 49,673 of which live with family caregivers over the age of 60 who will be unable to care for their special needs adult child in the near future. In the state there are over 12,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) on OPWDD's statewide residential registry wait list for community services and supports. Of the 12,000 IDD across the state, 4,000 are in critical need. Governor Cuomo's Olmstead Plan for New York State will transform OPWDD's delivery of services by providing individuals more options, choosing the community supports and services they need to live fuller lives integrated into the community. However this transformation is expected to take another 3 to 8 years, causing the list of those who desperately need those services to grow. Without a plan for integrated housing and the funding to support it, the unmet need for community based services and supports will continue to grow and reach crisis proportions while threatening to overwhelm an already overburdened system.

Fiscal implications

TBD

Legislative history

New Bill.

Effective date

Immediately.