New York State on Thursday said it is investing $42 million to expand supportive housing across New York City, with a portion of the funding focused on creating new units in Brooklyn for adults experiencing chronic homelessness.
The funding, administered by the state Office of Mental Health will support scattered-site apartments paired with mental health and social services designed to help residents remain stably housed.
The announcement includes 200 new supportive housing units citywide, with 40 of those apartments set to be established in Brooklyn. The units will follow a scattered-site model, meaning residents will live in independent apartments integrated into existing neighborhoods rather than in a single building. The goal is to provide stable housing while helping individuals maintain stronger connections to community resources and everyday life.
A significant share of the Brooklyn units will be operated by community-based organizations that specialize in supportive housing and behavioral health services. Funding will help cover both the cost of securing apartments and the services needed to support residents once they move in. Those services may include mental health care, substance use support and assistance managing physical health conditions.
“Access to housing can enable New Yorkers to get off the streets and connect with needed mental health services,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. " These additional units will allow individuals who may be staying in shelters or on the streets to maintain stable housing and address physical and behavioral health needs."
The new apartments are intended primarily for people experiencing chronic homelessness who are already enrolled in programs such as Safe Options Support or other intensive outreach initiatives. Many of the individuals eligible for the housing have complex needs, including mental illness, substance use disorders, or chronic health issues. Supportive housing programs aim to address those challenges by providing a permanent home first and then connecting residents with services that help them remain stable.
Once the new units are in place, residents will receive services both before and after moving in, with intensive outreach at the beginning to help ensure a successful transition. Officials say the goal is not only to reduce homelessness but also to create more stable, community-based housing options across Brooklyn.
