Bill would make it easier for New Yorkers leaving prison to qualify for supportive housing

Manhattan Councilwoman Carlina Rivera introduced legislation Wednesday that would expand eligibility criteria for city-funded supportive housing to include people involved with the justice system in the past year — a change long sought by advocates, who say it would expand options for New Yorkers cycling between prisons. and shelter.

City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera introduced legislation Wednesday that would expand the eligibility criteria for city-funded supportive housing to include people who were involved with the justice system in the past year — a change long sought by advocates, who say it would expand options for New Yorkers who cycle between jail and prison. homeless shelter.

Rivera, who represents parts of Midtown and Lower Manhattan, had shared her plans to pursue such a bill with City Limits last spring. The newly introduced Int. 1100 would require all supportive housing projects funded solely by the city to be open to applicants who meet other criteria (at risk of homelessness or currently homeless, and have a mental illness or substance use disorder) , even if they have recently been incarcerated.

Under current rules, most supportive housing (affordable apartments that come with additional services, such as access to health care and counseling) require applicants to be “chronically” homeless, meaning they have been without a home for a long time, usually a year. A stint of more than 90 days in jail would disqualify someone from most units, resetting the clock to their “chronically” homeless status.