Narcan Training - December 6, 2021 at 6pm

The Office of State Senator Shelley B. Mayer will be offering a Narcan training at Central Park Recovery located at 2176 Central Park Ave in Yonkers, NY 10710 on December 6, 2021 at 6pm.

This training is recommended for anyone at risk of an opioid overdose, friends, family, community organizations and agencies who wish to be trained.

Naloxone (Narcan kits) and resources will be provided after the training is completed.

Advanced registration is required by November 22, 2021. To register contact:

Nicole Intervallo - nintervallo@centralparkrecovery.com - 914-619-5242

Office of Shelley B. Mayer - smayer@nysenate.gov - 914-934-5250

Please click on the image below to download the flyer. This training is not offered by the Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness, please direct all inquiries to the contacts above.

Press Release from County Executive George Latimer - The Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness to Host Annual Meeting on Priorities

THE WESTCHESTER CONTINUUM OF CARE PARTNERSHIP TO END HOMELESSNESS TO HOST ANNUAL MEETING

(White Plains, NY) – The Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (CoC) will host their annual meeting on priorities online September 30, 2021 at 10 a.m. The mission of the Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness is to coordinate all of the stakeholders, systems and resources available to prevent and end homelessness in Westchester County. 

We want to hear from YOU about Westchester County’s:

·       Current unmet needs among people experiencing homelessness

·       Suggestions to improve current homeless services

·       Strategies to prevent and end homelessness

This meeting is your opportunity to help determine what improvements can be made to our system for preventing and ending homelessness in Westchester County. Anyone wishing to attend can do so by following the links below:

Join on Zoom: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/WCOCEDUCATIONZOOM 

OR 

Join on YouTube: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/WCOCYOUTUBE

Registration is not required. Simply use one of the links above to join at the time of the meeting. The session will last approximately 90 minutes. This session will be recorded. A computer or device with audio capability must be used to view/attend this session. 

About the Meeting on Priorities

Each year, in accordance with the policies of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Westchester CoC hosts a meeting open to the public. This insures the Westchester community can inform and determine the priorities of the CoC as it serves people experiencing homelessness in the county.

 

All attendees are welcome to propose priorities in housing, eviction prevention and other services to assist people facing homelessness in Westchester County. Attendees who would like to present will be required to indicate this intention in advance by emailing continuumofcarewc@gmail.com.

 

Presentations will be limited to three minutes. Presentations can be made via Zoom. Alternatively, presenters who do not feel comfortable with public speaking or do not have access to the technology needed to participate online, will have the option to submit a written letter to be read during the meeting.

 

About the Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness

The Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness is a public/private partnership including governmental agencies, non-profit and for-profit entities providing housing and services to people experiencing homelessness. Continuum of Care Partnerships (CoC) exist all over the United States. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires any organization seeking federal funding for housing or services for people experiencing homelessness belong to their local CoC. 

 

###

About Westchester County  

Westchester County, located in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, covers 500 square miles and has a population of just over one million.  Originally home to Native Americans, who were members of the Lenape tribe, it is today a rich mix of many cultures and landscapes.  The County is a blend of bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque towns as well as open spaces and a network of beautiful parks. Westchester is made up of 6 cities, 19 towns and 20 villages.  Westchester County is known for top-notch public schools, and a high quality of life.  The County is also an intellectual capital, boasting a highly educated workforce, competitive colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, world changing non-profits, and cutting-edge research centers.  Westchester is led by County Executive George Latimer, who took office in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. Using inclusion and openness as a foreground, Latimer is fighting to make Westchester a destination for all people to live, work and enjoy. Learn more about Westchester County by visiting www.westchestergov.com

'Hardship to Hope' Peer-Led Financial Wellness Program

NYAPRS NOTE: This announcement comes from our colleagues at the New York State Psychiatric Institute’s Center of Excellence for Cultural Competence, Columbia University Medical Center. From Hardship to Hope, a Peer-Led Financial Wellness Program funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is conducting focus groups with people with lived experience of financial hardship and thoughts of suicide, from anywhere in the United States. The first pilot of the program is getting ready to begin later this fall. Your personal experience would be very helpful to the research team in developing a program that is as feasible, culturally responsive, and effective as possible. Participants will be provided $50 for their input.

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Have you ever felt like giving up because of your financial difficulties?

Are you interested in sharing your experiences with a research team?

WHY: Our team at New York State Psychiatric Institute is conducting a research study to test a new financial wellness program for people experiencing financial difficulties and recent thoughts of ending their lives. This program seeks to help people improve their financial situation and feel more hopeful about their future.

WHO: We would like to get input from people with lived experience to help us develop an effective program. We are looking for people aged 18-64 who have had thoughts of ending their lives because of their financial difficulties in the last 2 years.

WHAT: If you are interested in offering your input, we invite you to participate in a 90-min focus group via HIPAA-compliant Zoom. We will ask for your opinion about the types of supports that could be most helpful. We will also ask for your feedback on program activities and resources.

COMPENSATION: $50 via PayPal.

HOW: If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form:

https://redcap.link/k2tsnxtf

Or use the QR code below (using your camera from your smart device):

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A member of our study team will contact you to give you more information about the focus group. If you have any questions about this research study, please e-mail us at: fromhardshiptohope@nyspi.columbia.edu.

HUD Announcement Regarding Evictions Guidance

HUD SNAPS PROGRAM INFORMATION - September 8, 2021 - In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision that invalidated the CDC’s eviction moratorium, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is using every tool at our disposal to help safeguard the millions of Americans now in danger of losing their homes.

Our programs and resources protect HUD-assisted households from eviction and should be sought out by all Americans who are seeking assistance in avoiding eviction, relocating to new homes in the event an eviction moves forward, and fighting unfair evictions. Through our Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, we are ready to protect people of color, families with children, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and others who may disproportionately face eviction through discriminatory policies and practices.

HUD also has a responsibility to assist landlords, owners, public housing authorities, and all our stakeholders in weathering this public health crisis.

HUD and our partners are taking a broad range of actions to help prevent evictions. They include:

Fighting unfair evictions – HUD is making over $19 million available to fair housing partners to help them respond to possible fair housing violations, many of which relate to the pandemic and evictions. The funds will enable private fair housing enforcement organizations to respond to fair housing inquiries and complaints, conduct fair housing testing, and implement education and outreach activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will also be used to address fair housing issues affecting individuals and families experiencing housing instability, including those who may face displacement due to discriminatory evictions and foreclosures. HUD is also ramping up funding and education for HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to work with clients to understand their options if they are facing eviction.

Providing legal assistance – HUD is making $20 million available to non-profit or governmental entities to improve the availability of legal assistance at no cost to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. These funds will provide services in areas with high rates of evictions or prospective evictions, including rural areas. This grant program plays an integral role in helping individuals and families—including people of color, people with limited English proficiency, and people with disabilities—avoid eviction or minimize the disruption and damage caused by the eviction process.

Keeping people housed – HUD has instituted an eviction moratorium to protect borrowers with HUD-supported or FHA-insured mortgages. This includes people living on Tribal lands with HUD Indian Housing Loans.  HUD will also act to require public housing authorities and owners participating in HUD’s project-based rental assistance program to provide tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent with additional time and other protections to allow them the opportunity to secure emergency rental assistance that may stave off eviction entirely. For the duration of the presidentially-declared national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD will extend the time its programmatic regulations require before a tenant must vacate a unit once a notice of eviction for non-payment has been issued from 14 days to 30 days, consistent with CARES Act protections and the protections already in place for FHA-insured Multifamily mortgages where the borrower is under a forbearance agreement. Additionally, in order to initiate eviction, HUD may require additional steps of covered landlords. 

Connecting people with rent relief – HUD is working with the Department of Treasury to help Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) grantees connect tenants behind on rent or concerned about paying future rent with financial assistance. Throughout this year, HUD has brought our expertise on housing programs to Treasury, providing advice and assistance on program design and implementation, and engaged HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. As part of a whole-of-government approach, we call on state and local ERAP grantees to lean into the flexibilities provided in this program and get assistance out quickly to those who need it the most.

Providing Tools to Help Public Housing Authorities, HUD-assisted Landlords/Tenants, and People Experiencing Homelessness – HUD program offices have delivered webinars, created documents answering frequently asked questions, granted waivers to ease administrative burdens created by the pandemic, and are distributing relief resources such as Emergency Housing Vouchers and additional assistance to people experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible.

You can find more information https://www.hud.gov/rent_relief 

WCoC Bonus Project RFI Conference - Friday, September 3, 2021

2021 RFI Proposers conference will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday September 3rd.

This meeting will discuss all aspects of this RFI, especially considerations for designing projects with partners in order to access the HUD bonus category points. The CoC Bonus is offered by HUD to provide services and permanent housing to homeless households.

The Request For Information (RFI) offered by the Westchester Continuum of Care to solicit proposals from eligible partner agencies requesting to be included as sub-recipient providers in the application to HUD for Continuum of Care Bonus (CoCB) and Domestic Violence Bonus (DVB) projects, which might be awarded through the FY2021 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program competition.

The RFI and the forms required to submit a proposal can be found here: https://www.wcochomeless.org/fy2021-applications

  • Only Continuums of Care which score high enough will receive CoC Bonus and/or DV Bonus funding.

  • CoC’s are allowed to submit more than one CoC Bonus and/or DV Bonus application to HUD, so the Westchester CoC may choose one or two CoC Bonus partners and one or more DV Bonus partners to submit an application.

    • Responses to the CoC Bonus RFI must request either 50% or 100% of the maximum available from HUD

    • Responses to the DV Bonus RFI can request any amount from $50,000 to $1,271,640

  • The DV Bonus is offered by HUD to provide services and housing to homeless households fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and/or human trafficking. Individuals and families who have been made homeless or are at eminent risk of homelessness by attempting to flee are eligible for HUD funded housing as stated in the Category 4 Definition of Homelessness in the HEARTH ACT.

  • The maximum funding request total for applications from Westchester CoC for the CoC Bonus is $1,045,034.

  • The maximum funding request total for applications from Westchester CoC for the DV Bonus is $1,271,640.

  • Responses to this CoC Bonus RFI are due September 21 at 1pm.

As noted below, there will be a conference to discuss the RFI this Friday September 3 at 1:30pm.

Join the meeting on WebEx as follows:

Join from the meeting link

https://westchestergov.webex.com/westchestergov/j.php?MTID=ma56279da8f31cc86875a75dbb5d28e31

Join by meeting number

Meeting number (access code): 161 306 9139

Meeting password: RPcRgsYa567

Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)

+1-415-655-0001,,1613069139## US Toll

1-844-621-3956,,1613069139## United States Toll Free

Join by phone

+1-415-655-0001 US Toll

1-844-621-3956 United States Toll Free

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2009). S. 896 HEARTH Act of 2009 - HUD Exchange. HUDExchange.Info.

Westchester Seniors Department Issues Multiple Requests for Proposals

(Mt. Vernon, NY) – Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) has issued four (4) requests for proposal (RFPs) from qualified agencies for services that benefit seniors.  Funding comes from grants through the federal Older Americans Act as amended, to be funded under the American Rescue Plan Act (SSC6 Services).

The RFPs:

Information Mobility Management (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County on available transportation services, benefits and entitlements and other areas of concern. This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

Crime Prevention And Safety Program  (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County, consisting of educational presentations on benefits and entitlements for seniors who are victims of crime and strategies to help seniors avoid crime victimization, and other areas of concern. This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

Information & Assistance - Senior Housing (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County, to provide direct housing counseling, assistance with accessing entitlements for NYS IT-214 and rent exemptions, section 8, weatherization and home improvement deferred loan programs, as well as other related services.  This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

Immigration Assistance (SSC6 Services): This RFP seeks services for persons 60 years or older residing in Westchester County, to provide immigration services, benefits and entitlements and other areas of concern and linking such individuals to such appropriate community resources, opportunities and services.  This RFP has a due date of Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

Information on this RFP is available at www.westchestergov.com/rfp.

All proposals must be received at:

The Department of Senior Programs and Services

Westchester County Office Building

9 South First Avenue, 10th Floor

Mount Vernon, NY 10550-3414

For information about the Department of Senior Programs and Services, call (914) 813-6300 or visit www.westchestergov.com/seniors.

FY 2021 CoC Program Competition Now Open

On Wednesday, August 18, 2021 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year of 2021 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition on Grants.gov as well as the Funding Opportunities page of HUD.gov.

The deadline for the opportunity is November 16, 2021, to meet this final date, all local project applications will be due October 17, 2021.

For details about our local competition including the ranking procedures the Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (WCoC) Board of Directors approved in March of 2021 which will be used to select projects for WCoC application, please visit https://www.wcochomeless.org/fy2021-applications or click the black bar at the top of any page.

RFP for Westchester County CoC NY-604 Planning Grant EXPANSION

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL : CoC Planning and Management Expansion FY2020

 

The County of Westchester, acting by and through its Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to provide planning and management services for the Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (CoC).

 

Due Date: Jul 23, 2021 4:00:00 PM

Info session Date: Jul 13, 2021 10:00:00 AM

Clarification Date: Jul 13, 2021 5:00:00 PM

 

Please go to this link to access the RFP:

https://rfp.westchestergov.com/rfp/rfps

Westchester CoC EHV Designated Partner Agency Opportunity - Response due at 12 PM on Friday, June 25, 2021

The Westchester County Continuum of Care (CoC) Partnership to End Homelessness is soliciting Requests for Information (RFIs) from eligible partner agencies to be designated by the Westchester County CoC as the local agency representative appointed to administer the New York State HCR Emergency Housing Voucher Program (EHV) in Westchester County.

A single agency will be chosen based on their ability to administer the EHV project successfully in partnership with HCR, the Westchester County CoC & its member agencies, and Westchester County EHV Steering Committee under the guidelines and requirements set by HUD and HCR.

Applicants should have experience engaging the target population described in this application and successfully & rapidly moving households from temporary housing into permanent housing.

Background:

• The American Rescue Plan included $5 Billion for 70,000 time-limited Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV’s) which expire 09/30/2030. Vouchers may not be assigned/reassigned after 09/30/2023.

• EHVs must be administered by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in partnership with their local CoCs

• Westchester’s only access to EHVs is through NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR)

• HCR has potentially allocated 482 units to Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties

• No county is assured of receiving any specific number; EHVs will be distributed to the four counties on a first come, first served basis.

• HCR has not finalized all aspects of the program but is considering including incentives to landlords and participants including rent above FMR; landlord signing bonus; funding for repairs, security deposits, and rent guarantees; and tenant stipends.

The local CoC will administer the program with a Designated Partner Agency that will confidentially forward referrals made by Westchester CoC Coordinated Entry to HCR or their designated Special Purpose Local Administrator and then work to rapidly transition potentially 100 households or more from their current temporary housing to permanent housing units subsidized with the EHV.

CVR NY Westchester Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Opening

CVR NEW YORK WESTCHESTER COUNTY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER WAITING LIST OPENING FOR LIMITED TIME STARING MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M. ENDING FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 AT 4:00 P.M.

Apply 24 hours a day online from any mobile device or computer with Internet access at:

applicantportal.cvrnewyork.com

You must have an active email address to apply.

For assistance during the wait list opening period call 914-256-8877 or email nyinquiries@cvrnewyork.com between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily

Applications must be submitted online through the Applicant Portal. Applications will not be available or accepted at CVR NY’s office, nor will CVR NY provide computers, internet access, or in-person assistance at its office for the submission of applications.

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CVR New York encourages anyone to apply. Applicants who are selected will be placed on a waiting list and screened for eligibility as vouchers become available. For eligibility information, please go to applicantportal.cvrnewyork.com. CVR New York will select 5,000 applicants for the Westchester County HCV Waiting List through a randomized computer lottery process. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please email nyinquiries@cvrnewyork.com or call 914256-8877 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily during the wait list opening period for assistance.

City of Mount Vernon Seeks Public Comment on 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan

  PUBLIC NOTICE

 

THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK

2021-2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

 

The City of Mount Vernon, NY invites residents, public agencies, and other stakeholders to provide input on Mount Vernon’s housing and community development needs.   

For FY2021, the City is receiving the following allocations: 

Community Development Block Grant 

$1,703,058.00 

HOME Investment Partnerships Grant  

$   511,949.00 

Emergency Solutions Grants 

$   145,722.00 

Total 2020 Entitlement Funding: 

$2,360,729.00 

 

The City of Mount Vernon will hold a thirty (30) day public comment period open to all residents, especially low-and moderate-income residents on the 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan.  The public comment period will begin on Friday, June 11, 2021 and end on Monday, July 12, 2021.   

 

The City invites citizens, public agencies and other interested parties to attend and provide public comments at the virtual public hearings being held on the following dates: 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 5:30pm
RSVP here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJckfu6qrTstHdKvJLlgG89UP_BHDiQnAQ5I​   

Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10:00am
RSVP here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpcemurzgpGdRQ8Z6brkoz6-j4HYg8lP8W​   

 

The 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan is  available on the City’s website at:
https://cmvny.com/2021/06/10/public-notice-2021-2022-annual-action-plan-notice-of-public-comment-period/  

or at the following locations: 

    • City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, First Floor, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mount Vernon, NY 10550

    • Department of Planning and Community Development, Second Floor, 1 Roosevelt Square, Mount Vernon, NY 10550

 

The City Council of the City of Mount Vernon is expected to take action on the Annual Action Plan for FY 2021 in July 2020. In addition, the City anticipates submitting the approved Annual Action Plan to HUD in July 2021. 

 

Written comments on the Plan are encouraged and may be submitted via email until July 12, 2021 to: Sbolivar@ch.ci.mount-vernon.ny.us.  

Or mailed to:  

Department of Planning and Community Development
1 Roosevelt Square
Mount Vernon, NY 10550 

Please voice your opinion on housing and community development needs by attending the June 16 or June 25th virtual public hearing.  

NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Westchester County Residents

Beginning, June 1, 2021, Westchester County residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program!

Read more at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/Emergency-Rental-Assistance/

ARE YOU BEHIND ON YOUR RENT?
HELP IS AVAILABLE
Beginning today, June 1, 2021, Westchester County residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to apply for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The Program, which is being operated by New York State OTDA, offers rental and utility assistance to eligible households which are behind on their rent, have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and earn at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Residents of the city of Yonkers should contact https://www.yonkersny.gov/

CALL 2-1-1 TODAY FOR HELP
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE
If approved, you will receive up to 12 months of past due rent. You could also receive up to three months of additional rental assistance, if your household spends 30 percent or more of your gross monthly income on rent. The program could also provide up to 12 months of past utility expenses.

TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ERAP,
VISIT THE NEW YORK STATE WEBSITE.
FOR HELP APPLYING, CONTACT THE FOLLOWING NON-PROFITS:
Catholic Charities
Community Housing Innovations
Community Resource Center
El Centro Hispano
Human Development Services of Westchester
Hudson Valley Justice Center
Keeping Communities Safe
Mount Vernon United Tenants
Neighbors Link
Salvation Army
Westchester Residential Opportunities

Source: Westchester County Youth Bureau June 2, 2021 email blast

New Opportunity Being Offered by MHA of Westchester for Providers of Service

Please see the flier below regarding a new opportunity being offered by MHA of Westchester for PROVIDERS of service. This is a service for any professional (care managers, caseworkers, care coordinators, clinicians, etc.) to obtain guidance and advice from an MHA staff person with experience and knowledge on all things related to benefits and entitlements. Feel free to share with your provider networks.

Westchester CoC Homeless Resources Cards Available Upon Request

Image: Cover of the 2021 Edition of the Homeless Resource Card

Image: Cover of the 2021 Edition of the Homeless Resource Card

Homeless Resource Wallet Cards available to distribute. These are the 2021 fold-out informational wallet cards distributed during the PIT Count.

If you would like cards, please use this form to request them: https://forms.gle/u31LvsyocQAXbyFi9

Requests will be fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis. There is a 10 card minimum per request. Requests are capped at 100 cards per organization until all interested organizations have been served.

We do another printing at the end of each year to update the information, so if more requests are received than can be fulfilled with available inventory, we will increase the number of cards printed for 2022.

Affordable Housing Opportunity - 14 LeCount Place, New Rochelle

We recently received a brochure regarding Affordable Housing at the newly constructed building located at 14 LeCount Place (across from New Roc). Please click here to download & distribute the brochure as you see fit. Any questions regarding Affordable Housing in New Rochelle should be directed to the Housing Action Council (HAC) at the phone number or email address below.