Updated 9:15 AM, Tuesday, October 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2024
Contact: Santino R. Thomas
(518) 949-4809 | [email protected]
Program aids Albany residents to address homelessness, mental health, addiction and housing insecurity issues
ALBANY, N.Y. – Today, a joint press conference was held at the Albany Public Library, on Washington Ave., to announce the public launch of the Albany Navigates Health & Housing program – a joint effort between host program CARES of NY, Inc., St. Catherine’s Center for Children, Albany County, the City of Albany, the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society and Joseph’s House & Shelter. The program, which officially started in June of this year, aims to address the growing issue of homelessness and adjacent issues in Albany County by bringing together organizations already working to end housing insecurity and combining their efforts. Albany County and the City of Albany are funding the program by investing $1.8 million over three years.
“This new partnership, especially the investment by both the County and City of Albany, will allow us all to connect with and help more of the hundreds Albany County residents struggling to put a roof over their heads,” said St. Catherine’s Executive Director, Cindy Kouhout. “As Albany County’s only shelter designed for families, our Marillac Family Shelter can house up to 24 families at one time. Michael’s House, our 20-unit, fully furnished supportive housing facility provides a safe environment for tenants to stabilize their situation, address ongoing issues and start on a new path toward independence. Additionally, our Care-A-Van mobile unit meets individuals where they are so they can access services and resources they may not seek out for themselves.”
Albany Navigates is a pilot program that aims to address the needs of the unsheltered population in Albany. The program has two key components: a committee of community stake holders and service providers working to break down barriers to program delivery and a street outreach initiative which will meet individuals where they are. This program will guide its clients through the challenges of the system related to mental health, addiction and housing. The first point of contact is programs like St. Catherine’s Care-A-Van mobile unit and the Joseph’s House Albany Outreach Van which provide hundreds of residents each year with food, clothing, referrals for services and other essentials. Albany Navigates has received referrals for nearly 100 new clients in its first five months.
“We are so grateful to Albany County and the City of Albany for funding this program,” said CARES of NY Director of Special Initiatives, Liz Mosier. “This collaboration of human services organizations to bring needed services to the unsheltered population in Albany. With fewer shelters available, we must work together to bring essential services out to those in need. With partners like St. Catherine’s Center for Children, Joseph’s House, HATAS and local government, we will make a significant difference for the unsheltered population.”
“This is an issue we must address,” said County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “The county used to have eight homeless shelters, but we are currently down to five. We cannot turn a blind eye to this growing crisis. In January, Albany County hit a record high with 677 individuals experiencing homelessness. There are multiple issues at play and the only way to address them properly is a partnership like the Albany Navigates program.”
Albany Navigates is addressing not only homelessness and housing issues, but mental health and addiction issues as well. Mental health struggles and addiction often snowball into homelessness which can then exacerbate the original problems. The programs partners are now ramping up efforts to get residents off the streets as the colder whether quickly approaches.
“The crisis we see on our streets permeates communities across the country, but here in Albany we are rolling up our sleeves and making progress by getting people the help that they deserve. We are getting them service and supporting them in building the lives they envision,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “I am proud to work with the county and great organizations like St. Catherine’s and the work they are doing in partnership with Albany Navigates. Standing with the outreach workers who joined us today is the clearest sign to the individuals we are trying to help. These outreach workers will meet them where they are, they acknowledge their struggles and they provide them the help they need, as well as the dignity they deserve.”
Additional attendees at today’s press conference include: Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins, Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham, Albany County Legislator Susan Pedo and Lark Street BID Chairman Pat Noonan.
For more information on the Albany Navigates program, visit www.caresny.org/albany-navigates/. For more information on St. Catherine’s homeless and housing services, visit www.st-cath.org/homeless-housing-services/.
The willingness of St. Catherine’s Center for Children to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support human service needs, throughout the region, by providing a comprehensive range of services designed to offer hope, foster growth and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.
For more information, http://www.st-cath.org.
