Workgroup Completes its Work

December 01, 2011

Affordable Housing Workgroup Completes its Work

MRT Final Draft Recommendations

The Affordable Housing Workgroup has completed its work. The final report to the full MRT is attached. It can also be found at: http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/docs/finaldraftrecommendations.pdf

There was a recognition that we could not analyze and propose solutions for the vast system of housing in the state (DOH,OMH,OASAS, OPWDD, OTDA, HCR) in a few weeks in 2 meetings. So we proposed ongoing workgroups to deal with these issues in more specificity into 2012.

Other Highlights include:
• A call for a NY/NY IV;
• A recognition that the adequacy of current funding and services in existing housing should be assessed;
• Unfreeze OMH capital that was frozen 2 years ago;
• Re-Investment into housing of savings from institutional closures;
• Re-Investment into housing of Medicaid and non-Medicaid savings;
• Reform some CR’s into emergency type housing programs, e.g. crisis intervention, hospital diversion or step-down;
• A recognition that housing providers should have opportunities to provide Health Home care coordination services;
• Increase the share of HCR tax credits that go to supportive housing
• Include in MRT 1115 Medicaid waiver funding for ongoing housing services and supports and operating costs.
• Explore the creation of a pilot program of “social impact investment bonds” that would pay for development, operations and services in supportive housing
• And more…….

Although the report seems long – 54 pages – the narrative is only 16 pages. Pages 17 – 56 are individual page analyses of each recommendation. You will have read what is important if you just read the 16 pages.

The report has been submitted to the full MRT and they will vote on it next week.

Category: ACL Updates