The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking proposals from not-for-profit organizations with experience in operating a licensed, mental health housing program, and experience providing supports to justice-involved individuals to develop and operate a 10 to 14-unit Short-Term Transitional Residence (STTR) primarily for people who are releasing from prison or were released in the past year. Individuals being discharged from an Article 28 or 31 hospital or who are street homeless are also eligible for this housing. STTRs programs are designed to support individuals who need additional supports to strengthen the skills necessary to move to a more independent housing setting.

OMH intends to award twelve (12) programs throughout the state with ten (10) to fourteen (14) units per program. The Short-Term Transitional Residences are intended to provide a home-like environment. The program will offer supports and skills training in a comfortable, safe, and recovery-oriented environment. Private bedrooms are ideal but no more than two people may share a room. Ample kitchen, dining and living space must be provided in order to facilitate skill building, group activities, and recreational opportunities.

Individuals who are admitted to this program will be connected to community supports to facilitate the transition back to the community and a more independent housing setting. These supports may include a Safe Options Support (SOS) Team, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team, Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) Team, Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Team, or Specialty Mental Health Care Management (SMH CM). An individual may be admitted to the transitional residence without an established connection to one of the teams noted above, but as part of the intake process, regardless of pre-admission setting, the individual will be linked to one of these specialized teams for support. The Teams will work closely with the transitional housing residences to ensure that individuals are able to move to a more independent housing setting within 120 days or less.

Although this is an unlicensed program model, the design is expected to provide adequate living and program space for individuals and staff without overcrowding. In addition, the residence will be required to be handicapped accessible, and have fire safety protection. The specific requirements will be shared with the agencies selected to develop the transitional residences. OMH may consider licensing these programs in the future to increase revenue opportunities.

Both capital funding for the development of the project and operating funding will be available to selected applicants. Capital project costs will be developed by the selected applicants and the OMH Bureau of Housing Development and Support after analysis of each individual project. The issuance of a capital contract and operating contract will be subject to the approval of the Division of Budget (DOB) and Office of the State Comptroller (OSC).

Notice: Notification of intent to apply should be made to the Local Governmental Unit (county director of community services) for each county to be served under the program application, as defined in Section 41 of the New York State Mental Hygiene Law.

The full RFP can be found at: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/

All applicants must be Prequalified by the due date/time of the RFP.

All applications/proposals must be submitted through the Grants Gateway.

NOTE: For all Not for Profit applicants, If your Vault was not Prequalified in Grant Gateway by 12/15/2023, you will have to restart the process (from start to finish) and Prequalify in Statewide Financial System (SFS) once it goes live on 1/16/24. You must be Prequalified by the due date and time of this RFP in order to have your application considered.