NY-508 CoC Funding Increases to Over 19 Million
The chart above illustrates the steady increase in CoC award funding for NY-508, growing from $12 million in 2018 to $19.6 million in 2023. This growth reflects not just system performance, but the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. As the CoC lead, the Homeless Alliance of WNY has been at the forefront of these efforts, advocating for new projects and leveraging community partnerships to maximize resources year after year.
Kexin Ma explains, “Our success is truly a community effort. Every organization that serves individuals experiencing homelessness plays a vital role in securing this funding. While rising Fair Market Rent (FMR) has contributed to the increase, this is a more passive change. What truly drives our growth is the Homeless Alliance’s efforts to bring new projects on board and secure additional resources. By staying proactive and strategic, we’re ensuring our community gets the support it needs.”
Kexin adds, “HUD looks at more than just numbers. They assess how well we engage diverse sectors, prioritize housing first principles, and incorporate the voices of those with lived experience. At the Homeless Alliance, we take pride in leading these efforts, ensuring the community is heard and our policies are shaped with compassion.”
Looking forward, Kexin emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration: “It’s not about competition with other CoCs—it’s about working together within our own communities to improve. By pulling together our resources and ideas, we’ll keep strengthening the system and increasing funding to meet the needs of those we serve.”