Bill > A07585

This bill establishes the "Fair Share for Homeless Shelters Act," which creates an Office of Fair Share Enforcement to manage and regulate homeless shelter distribution across municipalities and community districts in New York State. The bill defines key terms like "homeless shelter," "shelter-to-population ratio," and introduces concepts of "overburdened districts" and "under-contributing municipalities." The new law requires municipalities with over 50,000 residents to provide shelter capacity proportional to their homeless population, prohibits excessive concentration of shelters in one area, and mandates that under-contributing areas cannot refuse new shelter sites. The Office of Fair Share Enforcement will monitor shelter distribution, review and approve shelter siting decisions, maintain a public database of shelter locations, and investigate non-compliance. Municipalities that fail to meet fair share requirements can face penalties including reduced state funding, potential legal action by the Attorney General, and state override of local zoning to directly site shelters. The bill also includes provisions for emergency shelters, requiring them to be reported, distributed evenly, and reviewed for long-term integration. Importantly, the law will create a transparent system where municipalities must submit annual reports detailing their shelter situations and compliance status. The act will take effect 180 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for implementing regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7585