Donate

January 2026 Housing Advocacy Roundup

Advocacy Blog Post |  Published February 2026

 

Calling for Fair Pay for Domestic Violence Service Workers

Thaiasia Johnson, Program Director of The Anderson & The Morris, is calling for just pay for domestic violence service workers across the state, who have been excluded from annual budget increases. In her op-ed for AM New York, she shares her personal story to urge New York’s leaders to step up and pass Senator Persaud and Assemblymember Hevesi’s legislation (S1580/A2590) so that the domestic violence workforce can be included in future human services funding increases. Read Thaiasia’s piece here.

 

Why New York Must Invest in Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors

New Destiny’s CEO, Nicole Branca, spoke with Tom Eschen at CBS6 Albany to discuss why New York needs to invest in supportive housing for domestic violence survivors. Their conversation explored: 

  • New Destiny’s reaction to Governor Hochul’s State of the State 
  • Key priorities for this year’s budget 
  • How federal landscape shifts are impacting vital housing programs nationwide 

Watch the CBS6 segment here, and the full interview on YouTube.

 

Urgent Call to Strengthen the New York State Supportive Housing Program

We also released a statement calling on Governor Hochul to protect domestic violence survivors in supportive housing by increasing funding for the state’s oldest program, the New York State Supportive Program (NYSSHP), by $62.1 million.  

This proposed investment would help ensure: 

  • Building security 
  • Adequate staffing ratios 
  • Timely, necessary repairs  
  • Safe, dignified homes for survivors 

Read New Destiny’s full statement here.

 

Advocates Push for $250 Million for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP)

Alongside Senator Brian Kavanagh, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, and fellow advocates, we called on Governor Hochul to include a $250 million investment in the Housing Access Voucher Program in this year’s budget.   

As our CEO, Nicole Branca, emphasized:  

“At a time when the federal government is disinvesting from proven solutions to homelessness like rapid rehousing and supportive housing, New York’s domestic violence survivors need resources at their disposal that can help them quickly escape from their abusers and secure safe housing. HAVP is a powerful tool that can help end homelessness among survivors and their families, and $250M for the program must be included in this year’s budget if we’re serious about moving survivors from shelter to stable homes.”   

Read the full press release here.

Comments are closed.