BILL NUMBER: S8672
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the private housing finance law, in relation to enacting
the "employer-assisted housing matching grant act"
 
PURPOSE:
To establish the Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) Matching Grant Program
to support the nonprofit human services workforce. The program is
designed to improve workforce stability, reduce turnover, and reduce
vacancies.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one provides the short title of the act as the "Employer-Assist-
ed Housing (EAH) Matching Grant Act."
Section two sets forth legislative findings and intent, recognizing that
housing affordability is a major driver of workforce instability among
nonprofit human services providers and that employer-assisted housing
supports can help retain critical frontline staff.
Section three adds a new section 47-f to the private housing finance law
to establish the employer-assisted housing matching grant program. Key
provisions include:
* Eligibility for nonprofit provider agencies that are funded, licensed,
certified, or contracted by OPWDD, OMH, or OASAS, including joint or
collaborative applications.
* Eligibility for employees working at least 20 hours per week in quali-
fying care workforce positions, earning no more than 150 percent of area
median income, and residing in New York State.
* Allowable uses of funds, including security deposits, first month's
rent, emergency rental arrears, and down payments and closing costs for
a primary residence.
* A state match equal to 50 percent of the employer's contribution, up
to $3,000 per worker in any rolling twelve-month period.
* Administrative authority for HCR to issue regulations, advance or
reimburse funds, reallocate unused funds, collect reports, and audit
participating employers.
* Coordination with other housing assistance programs and requirements
for accessible outreach and appeals processes.
Sections four and five contain a severability clause and establish an
effective date 180 days after enactment, with authority for HCR to
promulgate regulations prior to that date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent years, New York State has taken important steps to strengthen
the human services workforce through targeted investments that have
contributed to measurable improvements in turnover and vacancy rates.
Despite these improvements, the rising cost of housing has become an
equally critical barrier to recruitment and retention, especially in
high-cost regions of the state.
Nonprofit providers certified or contracted by OPWDD, OMH, and OASAS
operate essential programs that support individuals with disabilities,
serious mental illness, and substance use disorders. These services
depend on a stable, local workforce. However, many employees are unable
to secure or maintain housing near their workplace, leading to excessive
turnover, staffing shortages, and disruptions in care.
Employer-assisted housing has emerged as a proven workforce strategy,
but many nonprofit providers lack the resources to scale such programs
independently. This bill leverages limited state dollars by matching
employer contributions, encouraging shared investment while maximizing
impact. By focusing on modest, targeted assistance such as security
deposits, rental start-up costs, and down payment support, the program
addresses the most immediate housing barriers facing care workers.
This approach complements, rather than duplicates, existing housing
programs and aligns workforce policy with housing policy to strengthen
the stability of New York's human services infrastructure.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law; provided, however, that the division of housing
and community renewal may adopt rules and regulations necessary for its
implementation prior to such date.