What's happening
This bill requires local social services districts to provide housing, supplements, and support services for people released from prison to prevent homelessness and overdose.
Why it matters
Targets a high-risk period for formerly incarcerated individuals. by providing immediate housing support, potentially reducing homelessness and the likelihood of overdose during the critical transition after release.
Guarantees substantial rental assistance. covering at least 85% (and up to 100%) of federally determined fair market rent—ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent access to stable housing right after release.
Expands state and local responsibilities. by requiring local social services to directly pay landlords and utility vendors, including full coverage of heating costs and arrears, making it less likely people will lose essential services or face eviction.
Mandates specialized training and services. in transition shelters, such as overdose prevention and housing counseling, which may improve long-term stability and reduce recidivism for this vulnerable population.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Shelters for Former Prisoners
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to social services
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10406
IN ASSEMBLY
May 4, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing transition shelters for individuals released from prison
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 131-bb to read as follows:
§ 131-bb. Transition shelters program. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, each local social services district shall provide a shelter supplement to eligible individuals to prevent homelessness, provide housing counseling and prevent risk of overdose in accordance with this section.
2. (a) Each local social services district shall provide a shelter supplement to eligible individuals and families as defined in subdivision three of this section in an amount equal to eighty-five percent of the fair market rent in the district, as established by the federal department of housing and urban development, for the particular unit size. The shelter supplement shall be issued by the local social services district directly to the landlord or vendor.
(b) A local social services district may also provide an additional supplement in excess of eighty-five percent of the fair market rent, up to one hundred percent of the fair market rent in the district, as established by the federal department of housing and urban development. Provided, however, the cost of the additional supplement shall be paid by the local social services district.
(c) As part of the supplement referenced in this subdivision, when an eligible recipient, as defined in subdivision three of this section, incurs separate fuel for heating expenses, the local social services district shall provide additional funds to cover such expenses, in excess of the amount already required for shelter costs pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision. Such heating allowance shall be equivalent to the full amount of fuel for heating expenses, and shall be made directly to the vendor on behalf of the recipient. Any expenses
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16335-01-0
A. 10406 2
incurred by the local social services district that are (i) in excess of a recipient's fuel for heating allowance authorized pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdivision two of section one hundred thirty-one-a of this title; (ii) made pursuant to section ninety-seven of this chapter; or (iii) to cover any arrears payments made to restore heating services or to prevent a shut-off, shall not be recoupable.
3. Individuals who have been released from incarceration and are not currently receiving another shelter supplement shall be eligible for the shelter supplement provided under this section.
4. Local social services districts shall provide the shelter supplement required under this section for up to six months. A shelter supplement may be provided for an additional length of time for good cause.
5. Employees of a shelter created pursuant to this section shall be trained regarding overdose prevention and shall provide housing counseling to such eligible individuals.
§ 2. Section 153 of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 13 to read as follows:
13. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, one hundred percent of costs for shelter supplements including costs for heating expenses, and home stability support services required by section one hundred thirty-one-bb of this article shall be subject to reimbursement by the state, as follows:
(a) by federal funds that can be properly applied to such expenditures; and
(b) the remainder to be paid by state funds.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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