Gov. Andrew Cuomo says among the items approved in the new state budget is $20 billion for New York's homeless. This includes $2.5 billion "to advance the creation of 100,000 new affordable and 6,000 supportive housing units."
However, after a review of legislative figures, that appears to hold the line on funding for New York's five-year plan against homelessness. This comes at a time when demand is continuing to rise, according to a couple of local advocates.
For comment on what the budget means for Western New York, WBFO reached out to Thom Piniewski, Shelter Director at Buffalo's Compass House, which serves teens and young adults, as well as Marlies Wesolowski, Executive Director of Buffalo's Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center, which serves a majority of displaced women with children.
