Employer-Assisted Housing Matching Grant: S8672 Fahy / A10457 Santabarbara

MEMORANDUM OF SUPPORT

S8672 Fahy / A10457 Santabarbara
Enacts the employer-assisted housing matching grant act

The above-referenced bill would create an employer-assisted housing match grant program under which certain nonprofit employees may be eligible for a state match for certain employer-provided funds for housing costs. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly supports this legislation.

The workforce serving the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports cares for New York’s most vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, the nonprofit providers servicing these agencies have long suffered from high turnover rates. Often, the workers struggle with low pay amidst ever-increasing costs of living. We must do more to ensure that these caregivers can afford to live where they work and are best able to remain in these critical positions. Less turnover not only means less disruption for the workers, but better outcomes for the individuals benefitting from their good work.

This legislation provides a targeted solution by matching employer contributions to housing assistance programs, better positioning nonprofits to support their employees. If enacted, this bill would be an important step toward a stable human services workforce. We urge you to pass this legislation this session.