Saratoga County committee accepts $322,466 rental supplement allocation for 2025-26

The Saratoga County Health and Human Services Committee on May 6 approved a resolution accepting $322,466 from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to fund the county's Rental Supplement Program for the program year April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.

Commissioner Patrick Maxwell, who presented the request, told the committee the award amount matches the county's allocation since the program's inception and that the county was notified of the allocation on April 25. "I'm here to request a resolution accepting an allocation from New York State Office temporary and disability assistance for the rental supplement program," Maxwell said, describing eligibility rules and program mechanics.

The program, established in 2022, provides temporary rental supplements for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or facing imminent loss of housing. Maxwell said eligible households cannot have income greater than 50% of area median income (AMI), with initial priority to households at 30% of AMI. Household contributions are capped at 30% of earned or unearned income; supplements may be up to 85% of the fair market rent for the household size.

Maxwell told the committee the county estimates it can serve approximately 44 households under the current allocation formula. As of the meeting, 31 households were enrolled. Maxwell gave program statistics: the average monthly supplement has been about $681; supplements have ranged roughly between the lower hundreds and $1,369; and the county's monthly cost in April was $21,117. He said eight households were transitioned off the program in the last state fiscal year.

Maxwell described an example household on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with a monthly income of $943: 30% of that income would be the household's contribution, and the county supplement in that case covered the remaining rent up to the applicable level. He also said applicants and recipients are required to apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher Program as part of efforts to transition participants to permanent housing.

The resolution authorizes the chairman and/or the commissioner to execute and submit all documentation required by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to facilitate receipt of the funds and reimbursements, and specifies that the form and content of any agreements are subject to approval by the county attorney. Maxwell told the committee the county opted to run the program in-house rather than contracting it out.

A motion to approve the resolution was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The committee recorded seven ayes and the resolution passed.

Committee members who spoke during the discussion asked whether the program targets specific housing locations or landlords and were told the supplements are used across different landlords in the community; some recipients move from emergency housing into private rentals with supplement support. No additional conditions or restrictions on use beyond those Maxwell described were placed on the funds during the committee action.

The committee adjourned after completing the vote.