Across the State, many New Yorkers are in need of adequate, safe, and affordable housing. Addressing these housing challenges can be difficult; the availability of and accessibility to different types of housing can vary from community to community and neighborhood to neighborhood. Given these challenges, New York State's housing programs are designed to address these housing challenges in different community settings and with a focus on individuals and families with varying income levels and particular housing needs. Some examples of these programs include: the Main Street Program, which revitalizes deteriorated buildings located in and around local community centers while creating affordable housing units in renovated buildings; the Neighborhood Preservation Program and the Rural Preservation Program, which support local not-for-profits that engage in housing preservation and development activities; and various homeownership and rental subsidy programs, which provide resources and information to individuals seeking housing. Additionally, in this year's budget the Assembly championed the creation of a study to examine housing needs for grandparents and other elderly relatives taking care of a child. This population of elderly caregivers has been growing in number in recent years and the study is intended to explore the unique challenges that face these households and to investigate which existing or potential housing programs would best suit their needs. It is important that these programs undergo regular review to ensure that they are continuing to meet the needs of New York's residents.

The Assembly is constantly looking to improve the housing situation for the people of New York State. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to the committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Keith Wright
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Housing

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Persons wishing to attend the public hearing on New York's Current Housing Programs are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: