AP: NY lawmakers urged to add more mental health housing

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Advocates for New Yorkers with mental illness are urging state lawmakers to increase funding for housing for that vulnerable group.

The so-called Bring It Home Coalition was created to push for greater housing resources for people whose mental illness puts them at risk of being homeless. The group has scheduled a rally Tuesday at the state Capitol to highlight their request, which comes as lawmakers are putting together the next state budget.

The coalition says the state has 40,000 housing units currently at risk of closing because of decades of lackluster funding.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included $10 million for community-based mental health housing in his budget proposal. Advocates say much more is needed to address the problem.

Read the story on the Associated Press’ website.