Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
(Publication Archives)

Community Connections, Spring 2003

Albany’s HAC Provides a Unique Service
By Dan Wilcox

On a cold February night in Albany, NY, a group of 30 or so community people slept in a park, while dozens more rallied and raised money for the Homeless Action Committee’s 10th Annual Sleep-a-thon in the Park. By the time the sun rose they had raised $12,000.

In 1989, The Homeless Action Committee began its work in Albany, operating out of the Social Justice Center on Central Avenue. Since 1991 HAC has also operated an Outreach Van that makes rounds on the streets and assists people without shelter or housing. The outreach workers provide a listening ear, food, clothing, blankets, referrals and transportation to area resources.

In late 1999, HAC opened its 30 room, single room occupancy (SRO) on North Pearl Street in a predominately industrial area. The SRO provides a permanent home for chronic alcoholics who have been on the streets for years and who have difficulty staying sober. What sets HAC apart from other programs is that it does not require that residents be sober when they arrive at the SRO. There is no requirement that the residents be in a treatment program, take medication, or most of the other demands of shelters in the area. HAC Director, Donna DeMaria said that in the SRO “we accept where people are at”.

Many of the residents have been in all kinds of programs and they are generally turned off to treatment. But, she says, “it’s amazing what people can do when their basic needs are met, when they are not in a vicious cycle of spending the day worrying about where to go for something to eat, about drink, about avoiding the police, about finding a place to sleep.” At the SRO they can get three meals a day, have a roof over their heads, companionship, help, and referrals when they need them.

The SRO also gets Section 8 funding from HUD. Tenants pay some of the costs if they have income; if not, HUD pays $314 per room per month. HAC also receives some support from the State for additional program staff and $20,000 in community based block grants. The rest of the funding comes from community fundraising efforts like the Sleep-a-thon.

Dan Wilcox works with NYS Office of Disability and Temporary Assistance, Division of Disability Determinations. For additional information, call Dan at (518) 473-8999

posted 6/13/03