“A safe place to live is one of the most important factors in staying healthy, especially for people with a history of addiction,” said OAAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham. “But it’s a sad reality that many people affected by addiction struggle to find housing that supports their health. OASAS is committed to providing safe and supportive housing to all in New York State who need it, and we will continue to work to provide New Yorkers with the assistance needed to successfully stay healthy. .

New York received funding for the program as part of a block grant made available to all 50 states under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Up to $1.44 million in rental subsidies are available to landlords in the first year of the program, and $1.8 million are available in the second year. Qualifying landlords may receive subsidies for up to two units (studio or one bedroom) that are set at the county-level fair market rent or actual cost of rent, whichever is lower.

Eligibility information is available here.

The goal, OASAS said, is to provide short-term housing support while helping people transition into permanent housing. Although the funding is for housing subsidies only, housing providers will still have to provide housing services with standard support services — such as case management — to tenants, the agency said.

Assemblyman Phil Steck, who chairs the Assembly’s Substance Abuse Committee, said access to reliable and safe housing is a key part of the recovery process.

“Releasing a vulnerable person to the streets dramatically increases the likelihood of them relapsing,” he said, “therefore we have a moral obligation to provide those who are recovering with the tools they need. needed to be successful”.