The Supportive Housing, Network of New York recently hosted the 2004 Supportive Housing Awards honoring leaders from the business, government hand non-profit sectors that have made tremendous contributions to the field of supportive housing. Honorees included the successful Housing First! Affordable Housing for All New Yorkers Campaign, an initiative created to increase. the, supply of affordable and supportive housing in New York; Gerald J. Flannelly, Principal MMA Financial (formerly Lend Lease R.E.I.); and the Housing Development Team at the New York State Office of Mental Health.

"Supportive housing enables individuals and families who are homeless or living with mental illness, AIDS or other disabilities achieve housing stability, independence and hope," said Maureen Friar, Executive Director of The Network. "Thanks in part to the efforts of our honorees, thousands of low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers now have a safe, affordable place to call home."

Two outstanding supportive housing tenants, Steven Fernandez, a resident at. The Times Square in Manhattan, and Anna Sezenias, a resident at the YWCA of Binghamton & Broome County, were also honored. The tenants were selected based on their contributions to the community and their courage to overcome obstacles such as domestic violence and substance abuse while living in supportive housing.