BILL NUMBER: S7139
SPONSOR: TEDISCO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act authorizing the commissioner of general services to transfer and
convey certain lands in the town of Wilton, county of Saratoga, to the
Veterans and Community Housing Coalition; and providing for the repeal
of certain provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
To permit New York State to transfer state land to the Veterans and
Community Housing Coalition to develop supportive housing for aging
veterans who may no longer be able to live independently but who do not
require nursing home level of care.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 authorizes the commissioner of general services to transfer
and convey property to the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition.
Section 2 describes the property that will be transferred and conveyed.
Section 3 allows for a survey to be submitted to the commissioner of
general services by the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition.
Section 4 requires the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition to make
an application to the office of general services within two years of the
effective date of this act.
Section 5 specifies use restrictions and reverter. Section 6 provides an
effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
The Veterans and Community Housing Coalition (VHCH)requests 15 acres of
state land in Wilton, New York to develop an adult home for aging veter-
ans who may need some support services. The VHCH has a thirty-seven year
track record in providing housing and support services to homeless
veterans in Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie
and Schenectady counties, including 12 units of permanent housing for
veterans and their families, twenty scattered apartments provided to
vets with little or no income, two duplex homes for disabled veterans
and their families, transitional beds for homeless male and female
veterans, a meal/supply pantry, case management, and temporary financial
assistance to help veterans prevent eviction, and remain in or obtain
permanent housing during their experience or threat of homelessness.
The new adult home proposed for Wilton, New York will be adjacent to an
existing 12-unit supportive housing complex for formerly homeless veter-
ans and their families. The transferred land will be used to build 12
additional permanent housing units, with the possibility of expansion in
the future as funding becomes available. The home will serve older
adults, including veterans with physical and mental health needs. There
will be 24-hour staff, personalized care plans, transportation to
medical appointments, medication assistance, help with bathing, dressing
and other personal hygiene activities, housekeeping, prepared individ-
ualized meals following a dietician's plan, social activities, and peer-
to-peer support.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed three years after such date.