After Push From Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris, New York State Renews Contracts For Settlement Houses

NEW YORK – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris announced today the State of New York is renewing contracts with neighborhood settlement houses, local organizations that provide essential social services in their neighborhoods. Contracts will be renewed for one year, retroactive to September.

“Neighborhood Settlement Houses provide critical services for communities, which is why even in difficult financial times the legislature funds these programs,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I am pleased the state has agreed to keep these programs up and running and I will continue to fight for the services New York’s neighborhoods need and deserve.”

The state legislature allocated $2.45 million during the FY 20-21 budget, which is administered by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The funding was slated for 48 different settlement houses across the State. Funding for the Settlement House Program ceased in August 2020, despite the fact it was funded for the full year in the budget. Senator Gianaris wrote to the Governor urging a restoration to these programs.

Programs available at each settlement house may vary with the needs of their neighborhoods, but often include job training, early childhood education, after school programming, arts and cultural events, English language training and citizenship test instruction, and senior services.

Western Queens is home to several such programs, including the Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement House and Sunnyside Community Services.