Speaker Heastie and Haitian American Legislative Delegation Announce $1.6 Million in Funding for Haitian New Yorker Community Based Organizations

Speaker Carl Heastie and members of the Haitian American Legislative Delegation today announced that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes $1.6 million for community based organizations (CBOs) that support linguistically and culturally responsive services for Haitian New Yorkers.

“New York is a state rich with diversity and communities with diverse needs,” Speaker Heastie said. “The funding included in this year’s budget will allow CBOs that are on the ground providing critical services to Haitian New Yorkers to continue the good work they're doing and address the unique needs of their communities.” 

“From accessing health care to legal assistance to social services, this funding will help members of our Haitian community here in New York get the services and resources they need,” said Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages. “I’m proud we were able to secure this funding for groups that are doing vitally important work uplifting and empowering the Haitian community.”

“New York City has the largest concentration of Haitians in the U.S., and New York State has the second-largest Haitian population of any state,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “I thank Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for providing vital funding for CBOs that will uplift our communities across the state, providing culturally-competent services to aid with immigration, healthcare access, and many more pressing issues facing our Haitian constituents. This funding from the New York State Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget comes at a critical time. Our community is reeling from Haiti’s escalating crisis and suffering from uncertainty. Nearly everyone here has loved ones, family, and friends in Haiti—with hardly any ways to communicate with them. With Haiti’s escalating violence, shortages of clean water, sanitation, and other essential resources, our communities are in distress, including the ‘Little Haiti’ neighborhood I proudly represent in Brooklyn. As we commemorate Haitian Heritage Month this May, I’m grateful that we are uplifting the vibrant Haitian communities that have innumerably contributed to the fabric of New York during this time of need.”

“Our Haitian communities here in New York are integral parts of the fabric of our state,” Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre said. “This funding will help thousands of Haitian New Yorkers get the services and care they need, and help our communities continue to thrive in our state.”

“This funding is critical to so many organizations on the ground that provide services for the Haitian and other immigrant communities,” said Assemblymember Clyde Vanel. “We will continue working to get Haitian New Yorkers the resources needed to thrive in our state.”

“Organizations like these are vital to addressing the unique needs of Haitian New Yorkers,” Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. “The funding we included in this year’s budget will help them continue to provide the culturally responsive services and resources that our communities need to grow and thrive.”

New York is home to the second largest Haitian population in the U.S. According to the last census, there are more than 182,000 Haitian individuals living in New York State, but experts say that including temporary visitors and workers, students and trainees, that number could be closer to 500,000. The SFY 2024-25 budget includes critical appropriations to help CBOs provide linguistically and culturally responsive services in communities across the state. The $1.6 million in the budget will go to the following Haitian New Yorker CBOs:

• $350,000 for Little Haiti Brooklyn;
• $250,000 for Haitian Americans United for Progress;
• $100,000 for the Haitian American Community Center;
• $100,000 for Diaspora Community Services;
• $100,000 for Global Trauma Research;
• $100,000 for ARA Wellness;
• $100,000 for Konbit Neg LaKay Community Center;
• $100,000 for the Haitian American Lawyers Association;
• $100,000 for the Caribbean Women’s Health Association;
• $100,000 for the Morris Heights Health Center;
• $100,000 for the Haitian Roundtable; and
• $100,000 for the Beraca Community Development Corporation.