The New York State Office of Mental Health has launched an expanded “Safe Options Support” (SOS) program, targeting the Southern Tier to provide critical assistance to individuals facing chronic homelessness. Operated by the Monroe Plan for Medical Care, the program now offers support to homeless individuals in Steuben and Chemung counties, including those grappling with mental health and substance use challenges.
The SOS program, which is part of a statewide initiative to address homelessness among New Yorkers with complex medical and behavioral needs, is one of several now operating outside of New York City. This Southern Tier team became fully operational following a soft launch over the summer, quickly accumulating nearly 80 referrals. With homelessness affecting approximately 600 people in the region, the program’s multi-disciplinary teams of peer specialists, housing advisors, and mental health professionals aim to bring stability to individuals’ lives through a tailored approach.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, emphasized the importance of the SOS program, noting that it “connects individuals to stable housing and ensures necessary resources are in place to help them reintegrate as active community members.” This initiative forms part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s broader mental health agenda, which has seen state investment in SOS increase from an initial $25 million to $35.2 million this year, supporting expansions throughout New York.
The Monroe Plan team, funded by a $5 million grant over five years, is one of nine SOS teams now assisting counties across upstate New York. Using the Critical Time Intervention model—an evidence-based approach designed to connect individuals in crisis with resources and establish sustainable support networks—the program has assisted nearly 300 people statewide. Of those served, approximately 120 have been placed in permanent housing, and close to 60 were previously unsheltered.
Kim Hess, Chief Operating Officer of Monroe Plan for Medical Care, highlighted the pressing need for this initiative in the Southern Tier, stating that the program “will be able to provide direct, life-changing support to individuals in the region, connecting them with housing, healthcare, and community resources.”
The program’s growth reflects its success in other parts of New York, where SOS teams are also active in areas with high homeless populations, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Capital Region counties. New York City alone hosts 15 SOS teams that canvass subways and transit locations, resulting in nearly 600 people finding permanent housing, including 137 placed in licensed housing facilities.
Monroe Plan’s Southern Tier team collaborates with government agencies, shelters, healthcare providers, and other community organizations, ensuring that each client receives comprehensive care to achieve long-term housing stability and support.
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