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Division of Housing & Community Renewal

Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

Responsibilities and Functions

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) is responsible for Federal and State Government Relations, Special Needs Housing Policy, as well as oversight of the Consolidated Planning process. The respective operations work closely together to foster understanding and promote interchangeability.

The Office develops and advocates for policies and programs, as well as budgetary and legislative priorities on both the State and federal levels. IGA cultivates positive working relationships with elected officials, their key issue staff and relevant committee members to advance DHCR's mission. Further, it works with colleagues and staff, partner agencies, trade organizations and community-based organizations to mobilize efforts and strategically position the Agency for new opportunities.

Responsibilities also include conceiving and promulgating new housing priorities by developing, coordinating and negotiating legislation and regulations that relate to housing. This effort encompasses reviewing and tracking legislation that is introduced on both the State and Federal levels.

State/Federal Government Relations

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for conceiving and promulgating new housing policy by developing, coordinating and negotiating legislation and regulations that relate to housing. This effort includes reviewing and tracking legislation that is introduced in the New York State Legislature and identifying bills of particular interest to DHCR. Once a bill is before the Governor for consideration, comments are solicited from impacted program areas and an Agency position is formulated in coordination with the Office of Legal Affairs.

IGA represents the Agency at meetings of the Senate and Assembly Housing Committees and keeps the Commissioner, Executive Staff and program offices apprised of all relevant actions. It also responds to inquiries from legislators, legislative staff and constituents for information and assistance on housing related issues.

This effort includes reviewing and tracking legislative and regulatory activities under consideration by Congress, the Administration, and federal agencies concerned with housing.

Monthly Report to the Governor

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for coordinating submission of the Agency's Monthly Report to the Governor. Information is solicited from Executive Staff throughout the Agency on matters warranting the Executive Chamber attention or decision. This includes providing operating data and progress in implementing program initiatives, as well as providing a schedule of upcoming events and appearances.

Interagency Coordination

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs serves as the primary liaison between other units of government, partner agencies, trade and community based organizations. Staff serve on numerous cabinets, task forces, workgroups and committees, including:

  • Children's Cabinet
  • Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA)
  • Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC)
  • Economic Security Cabinet
  • Homeless Housing Assistance Corporation (HHAC)
  • Housing Subcabinet
  • Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS
  • Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking
  • Interagency Offender Reentry Task Force
  • Interagency Sex Offender Housing Task Force
  • Most Integrated Settings Coordinating Council (MISCC)
  • Most Integrated Settings Coordinating Council (MISCC) Housing Task Force
  • Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Workgroup
  • Money Follows the Person Housing Task Force
  • National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA)
  • NYS Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) Conference Committee
  • New York Conference of Mayors Main Street Conference Committee
  • New York/New York III Supportive Housing Agreement Oversight Committee
  • Task Force on Domestic Violence & Permanent Housing

Special Needs Housing

New York/New York III Supportive Housing Agreement

On November 7, 2005, New York City and New York State entered into a homeless housing initiative that will provide an additional 9,000 supportive housing units for individuals and families who are living on the streets or in emergency shelters in New York City. The New York/New York III Supportive Housing Agreement provides housing and related services to those New York City individuals and families most in need.

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) continue to work in close collaboration to implement this initiative.

As a signatory to NY/NY III, DHCR is charged with capital funding of 1,000 beds through the course of the agreement. The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs serves as DHCR's NY/NY III liaison and a member of the State/City Oversight Committee. As such, it is responsible for negotiations with City and State agencies, creation of necessary agency policy for implementation and monitoring that policy in order to achieve DHCR's targets.

NYS Accessible Housing Registry

The New York State Accessible Housing Registry (www.nysaccessiblehousing.org) is a product of a contract between the Center for Independence of the Disabled (CIDNY) and the DDPC. Success was achieved under that contract; however, there was no funding for its continued administration. DHCR worked with DDPC and CIDNY to develop a contract to support ongoing operation of the Registry through 2008. Funding is used to operate and maintain the site, conduct research, review and implement ongoing marketing strategies and encourage provision of information to the Registry, as well as to ensure quality assurance. The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs has oversight responsibility for the Registry contract.

Unified Funding

During the annual Unified Funding process, the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs works with DHCR's Office of Community Development (OCD) to create and monitor policies as they relate to the current funding round. This includes contributing language for the application package, assisting with workshop presentations and providing technical assistance to potential applicants. The Office also serves as an external relations liaison with government officials providing information on Unified Funding and relaying notification on program awards.

Money Follows the Person

The NYS Department of Health with the support and cooperation of DHCR received a competitive grant through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) which will provide financial assistance to the State over five years to help shift Medicaid from its historical emphasis on institutional long-term care services to a system that offers more choices for seniors and persons with disabilities from all age groups, including home and community-based services. This Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration was included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) currently being implemented by CMS.

DHCR plays an instrumental role in this important service delivery innovation. The State's proposal recognized accessible, affordable and integrated housing as critical to a person's successful transition from a nursing home or institution into the community of their choice. DHCR leads a Money Follows the Person Housing Task Force comprised of State agency partners, as well as advocates and community-based organizations charged with creating new opportunities aimed at providing housing alternatives for persons with disabilities and seniors who would, if given the opportunity, choose to live independently at home.

Consolidated Planning

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs oversees the collection of data, coordination of the citizen participation process, written preparation and timely submission of New York State's Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and Annual Performance Report. Collectively these documents establish the priorities, strategies and actions the State proposes to take to address affordable housing needs. This effort qualifies the State to secure federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the HOME, Emergency Shelter Grants, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and Community Development Block Grant Programs. It requires coordination with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office for Small Cities.

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Last Updated: 07/21/08

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