NEW YORK, NY — In response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget released today, Raysa Rodriguez, associate executive director at the Citizens’ Committee for Children, issued the following statement in response on behalf of the Family Homelessness Coalition:

“We applaud Governor Cuomo for including $250 million in supportive housing capital in his preliminary budget, as well as funding for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. There is no doubt that State leaders are in a precarious situation as we await a new federal stimulus package with state aid. But regardless of what comes through from Washington, protecting against a tidal wave of family homelessness must remain a priority. Of particular concern is cost shifting to localities, which threatens to cut off providers from offering essential high-quality homelessness prevention services on the ground. As the end of the eviction moratorium looms, the State should expand eligibility for existing rental assistance such as FHEPS, and ensure that an additional rent subsidy is in place to keep families safely housed and ensure those living in shelter or doubled up have the resources they need to find a safe place to call home.”