SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES PROVIDER IN NEW YORK

Fatumata Kaba
Sep 4
4 min read

CREATING SAFE AND STABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS WITH WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICES

Supportive Housing Services in New York assist individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, or chronic challenges in maintaining stable housing. These services integrate housing assistance with personalized support to enhance independent living and community integration. Supportive Housing Services are authorized under New York Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver funding for Supportive Housing Services and oversees provider enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement.

Agency: Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

Role: Provides oversight for supportive housing services targeting individuals with developmental disabilities.

Agency: New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

Role: Ensures compliance for supportive housing programs serving individuals with mental and behavioral health needs.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure Medicaid-funded Supportive Housing Services meet quality, safety, and person-centered care standards.

2. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES OVERVIEW

Supportive Housing Services combine secure, affordable housing with comprehensive support services, promoting long-term stability and community integration.

Approved providers may deliver:

Housing Placement Assistance: Helping individuals secure affordable and accessible housing.
Case Management: Coordinating care and support services tailored to individual needs.
Life Skills Training: Teaching budgeting, cooking, personal care, and household management.
Behavioral Health Support: Addressing mental health needs through counseling and crisis intervention.
Health and Wellness Monitoring: Ensuring individuals maintain their physical and mental well-being.
Tenant Advocacy: Supporting tenants in understanding their rights and responsibilities.
Independent Living Skills: Enhancing skills needed for successful community living.
Substance Use Support: Connecting individuals to addiction treatment and recovery resources.
Community Engagement: Facilitating participation in local activities and social connections.
Documentation: Maintaining records of housing stability, support services, and outcomes.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register the business entity with the New York Department of State.
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2).
Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver Supportive Housing provider via the New York Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (eMedNY).
Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance.
Develop policies for housing stability, tenant support, and community integration.
Ensure staff complete required background checks, health screenings, and training in supportive housing practices.

4. NEW YORK PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Complete the Provider Enrollment Application via the eMedNY Portal for Supportive Housing Services under HCBS waivers.

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, insurance certificates, housing policies, and staff training documentation.

Program Readiness Review:

NYSDOH, OPWDD, and OMH evaluate provider readiness, including housing support protocols, safety measures, and staff qualifications.

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon approval, providers are authorized to bill Medicaid for Supportive Housing Services using designated billing codes.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (New York Department of State)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of general and professional liability insurance
Supportive Housing Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Housing placement and stabilization protocols
- Tenant support and crisis intervention guidelines
- Staff credentialing, background checks, and ongoing training records
- Documentation standards for service tracking and Medicaid billing
- HIPAA compliance, tenant rights, and grievance handling
- Safety and emergency response protocols
- Quality assurance and compliance monitoring

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Supportive Housing Program Director

Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, human services, or healthcare administration; experience in housing stability and community support.

Role: Case Managers

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field; experience in client advocacy and housing support.

Role: Housing Support Coordinators

Requirements: Experience in property management, tenant support, and crisis intervention; background clearance.

All staff must complete:

Training in housing stabilization, tenant advocacy, and community integration
HIPAA compliance and tenant rights education
Annual competency evaluations and ongoing professional development
Safety, crisis management, and supportive interaction training
Documentation and record-keeping best practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Supportive Housing Services are available under the following New York Medicaid Waivers:

OPWDD Comprehensive Waiver
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) Waiver
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver
Children’s Waiver

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Compliance Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Program Development

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: New York Medicaid Provider Enrollment and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Supportive Housing Service Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

Website: https://www.health.ny.gov/

Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

Website: https://opwdd.ny.gov/

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH)

Website: https://omh.ny.gov/

eMedNY Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://www.emedny.org/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov/

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — NEW YORK SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG supports agencies in launching Medicaid-compliant Supportive Housing Services in New York, offering:

Scope of Work:

Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and licensing assistance
Policy manual development for housing stabilization and tenant support
Staff credentialing, training program templates, and compliance documentation
Medicaid billing setup and audit-prepared financial management
Branding, website development, and community outreach strategies
Quality assurance systems for housing stability and compliance monitoring
Collaboration with housing agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations