Albany Housing Coalition

Much of the coalition’s fiscal year 2023 budget of $3,710,847 was supplied by government grants, amounting to 87 percent of its budget. ³

Background

The Albany Housing Coalition works to reduce veteran homelessness in the Albany area, with the goal of eventually ending veteran homelessness in the region. The group does not have a particularly ideological mission statement and is mainly focused on service and housing provision. ^{1 4}

The Albany Housing Coalition was formed in 1987 and has been tax exempt since 1993. It reports that veteran homelessness has decreased 11 percent between 2020 and 2022, and claims that progress was being made due to large increases in federal spending on the issue, along with community involvement. ^{2 5}

Finances

For the 2023 fiscal year that ended in January 2024, the Albany Housing Coalition reported $3,710,847 in revenue, of which $3,431,694 stemmed from contributions and grants, $234,715 came from program service revenue, and $44,438 from investment income. It reported $2,528,666 in expenses of which $378,390 was paid out in grants, $1,581,886 for salaries, and $90,907 for food. It ended the year with a net surplus of $1,182,181 and net assets of $3,787,245. ⁶

The coalition received $3,230,230 in government grants, amounting to 87 percent of its total funding for the 2023 fiscal year. ³

Projects and Initiatives

Housing

The Albany Housing Coalition provides housing for homeless and at-risk veterans in the greater Abany area. This includes a 32-bed intake house that provides a stable environment for veterans to address issues that have led or contributed to their homelessness, such as unemployment and mental and physical health issues. The coalition also administers permanent housing units for long term residents who have transitioned out of the intake house. ⁴

Support Service Programs

The coalition administers service programs to support veterans in and out of the housing program. Case managers are available for rapid rehousing and permanent housing. The group also provides training and employment services, health service connections, counseling, and financial assistance. On average the coalition places 44 veterans in a job each year, with over 70 percent retention over nine months. ⁴

Leadership

Sondra Young is the executive director of the Albany Housing Coalition, a position she has held since August 2024 when she replaced Joseph Sluszka, who had led the organization from 2004 until April of 2024. She previously worked as the executive director of the Catholic Charities housing office and has a background in real estate property management. ^{7 8 1}