ALBANY COUNTY — Eight organizations in Albany County have received awards for supportive housing as part of the governor’s $2.6 billion five-year plan to develop 6,000 supportive housing units for homeless people with special needs or conditions.

The latest round of Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative awards are five-year renewable contracts for services and operating costs for at least 1,200 additional supportive housing units, bringing the total number of units funded to more than 4,200 in just three years.

Awardees are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in services and operating funds for each new supportive housing unit. The awards will help applicants secure capital through New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the Homeless Housing Assistance Program to finance the development and construction of their supportive housing project.

In this third round of awards, applicants were instructed to demonstrate how their proposals would help specific populations, including homeless veterans and their families; victims of domestic violence; frail or disabled senior citizens; young adults with histories of incarceration, homelessness or foster care; chronically homeless individuals and families; individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; and people living with HIV or AIDS, serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

In Albany County, Rehabilitation Support Services and Catholic Charities Housing Office, each received two awards and these agencies each received one: Albany Housing Coalition, Inc.; St. Catherine’s Center for Children; Unity House of Troy; Corporation for AIDS Research, Education, and Services; Equinox Inc.; and Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless.

The recent awards may be used to provide rental assistance and services to eligible target populations to ensure their housing stability, including but not limited to:

— Primary and behavioral health services;

— Employment and vocational training and/or assistance;

— Educational assistance, including support for high-school equivalency;

— Parenting skills development and support;

— Child-care assistance;

— Counseling and crisis intervention;

— Children’s services, including educational advocacy, support and counseling; and

— Services or staff to identify and locate eligible individuals that need housing.

New York has more supportive housing than any other state in the nation. Supportive Housing is a cornerstone for individuals with disabilities or other challenging life circumstances, providing stable, permanent homes and on-site services. Providers work with tenants to ensure the appropriate services and treatment are available to help them lead independent lives.