In response to the New York State Senate and Assembly's One House Budgets being released this week. Enterprise New York issues the following statement:

“As New Yorkers continue to weather the storm that is our affordable housing crisis, our leaders in Albany must advance comprehensive and meaningful solutions in this year’s budget and legislative session. This week's release of the State Senate and Assembly one house budget proposals demonstrates support for a number of important proposals, while also highlighting areas where continued negotiation is sorely needed.

We commend both houses for language authorizing and funding the vital Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), which if enacted could rapidly bring housing stability to around 13,000 households. We also support the restoration of a number of housing programs omitted from the Executive Budget Proposal that primarily impact rural and smaller communities around the State.

A number of items included by the Senate are of critical importance and we strongly encourage their inclusion in a final agreement. An increase in the Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Fair Housing Testing program to $4 million will help equip more New Yorkers with tools to combat pervasive source of income discrimination. Language forbidding insurance companies from discriminating against affordable housing is a necessary first step in addressing a true statewide insurance crisis. Additional funding for the New York State Supportive Housing Program and for USDA 515 preservation, as recommended by supportive and rural housing advocates respectively, is also badly needed.

As our leaders in Albany begin the process of reconciling their three paths forward, we urge them to do so in a spirit of collaboration and compromise, and with the utmost urgency given the severity of our affordable housing crisis.”

-Baaba Halm, Vice President and New York Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partners