O’Mara welcomes announcement of new housing, treatment services in Yates County, Finger Lakes region: Says new state-local effort key to addressing addiction and homelessness

Penn Yan, N.Y., December 5—Late last week the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling & Referral Agency announced the grand opening of a $2.62-million supportive housing project for the Finger Lakes region that will provide permanent and transitional housing for homeless veterans and residents suffering from a substance abuse disorder.

Specifically the project will provide critical new services in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties. In Yates County in O’Mara’s 58th Senate District, two units of new housing (four beds) are located in Penn Yan.

O'Mara said, "These state-local partnerships are critical and effective foundations for addressing local crises including addiction and homelessness. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and his administration for working closely with the Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling and Referral Agency to strengthen the housing and services available to homeless veterans and residents suffering from addiction. It's an important step forward for Yates County and the entire Finger Lakes region."

Additional units of housing are located in Waterloo (Seneca County), Geneva (Ontario County) and Newark (Wayne County).

Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling & Referral Agency Executive Director Martin Teller said, "We would like to thank Governor Cuomo and our partners in state and local government for their continued support and recognizing the important role that housing plays in treating addiction. This project will help people address the circumstances that have contributed to their homelessness while changing their lives for the better."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts said, "Governor Cuomo has made a strong commitment to addressing homelessness and this project is just another shining example. The supportive housing created will not only provide residents a safe and stable place to live, but also ensure the individuals served will have access to support services they need to achieve self-sustainability."

According to the announcement, operating funding for the Finger Lakes project is being delivered through the new Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and will be contracted through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). The Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling & Referral Agency will partner with local organizations on resident placement.