Council Votes on Major Legislative Package to Address Homelessness Crisis and Help New Yorkers Move Out of the Shelter System

 

The elimination of the 90-day shelter rule, among other bills, will make it easier for individuals and families to enroll in the CityFHEPS program

Today, the New York City Council passed legislation to help New Yorkers avoid or move out of the city’s shelter system by reforming the City’s rental assistance voucher program, CityFHEPS. New York City is facing a homelessness crisis, with over 80,000 people in the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter system – over 50,000 are longtime New Yorkers. According to the latest figures from the Mayor’s Management Report, single adults and families with children stay in shelter for over a year on average, while adult families remain for over two years. With an increased number of people seeking asylum in the United States arriving in the city, shelter space has become scarce and resulted in an expansion of emergency shelters that are far more expensive. The legislative package of four bills will not only help New Yorkers move out of shelters, but also prevent the evictions of New Yorkers most at risk of homelessness and entering our shelter system.

“Today’s CityFHEPS legislation to remove barriers to accessing housing vouchers will not only help New Yorkers move out of shelters, but also prevent the evictions of New Yorkers most at risk of homelessness,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “CityFHEPS vouchers can be powerful tools to help us, but the City’s arcane policies in administering them are counterproductive. Our legislation to remove these arbitrary obstacles will help reduce homelessness, stabilize communities, free up space for asylum seekers and others, all while saving money on costly emergency shelters that skew far more expensive than traditional shelter models while offering fewer services. This is the clear and cost-effective choice for New Yorkers and our communities.”

In addition, the Council voted on several pieces of legislation, which includes: providing transportation safety protections for students with disabilities; establishing technology access and training programs, which was originally proposed in Speaker Adams’ 2022 State of the City address; requiring coordination of summer youth employment program opportunities; making the Open Culture Program permanent; and state home rule messages, including one in support of Sammy’s Law.

Reducing Barriers to CityFHEPS Vouchers

Introduction 878-A, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would remove shelter stay as a precondition to CityFHEPS eligibility. This would expand eligibility, reduce length of stay in the shelter system and prevent new shelter entrants.

“CityFHEPS vouchers have been one of our city’s best measures to address the crisis of homelessness. This package of legislation will remove the barriers that keep New Yorkers from accessing CityFHEPS and transitioning out of our shelter system,” said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. “Through my own experiences, I intimately understand the difficulty and trauma of losing your home and living in a shelter. No New Yorker should have to experience homelessness and remain in a shelter for an arbitrarily long time in order for the City to provide assistance. It is a proud moment for me to pass these bills with my colleagues and put forward solutions to help meet the crisis we are facing.”

Introduction 893-A, sponsored by Council Member Pierina Sanchez, would remove certain Department of Social Services’ criteria that determines eligibility for CityFHEPS and gives New Yorkers the ability to demonstrate risk of eviction by presenting a rent demand letter. 

Introduction 894-A, sponsored by Council Member Pierina Sanchez, would change the eligibility for a CityFHEPS voucher from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 50 percent of the area median income and remove work and source of income requirements that make it difficult for individuals to pursue employment and housing concurrently.

“We are at a critical juncture in our city’s housing and homelessness crisis, with record levels of individuals and families affected,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez. “In my district, we know the heartbreaking consequences firsthand. One in ten households of Bronx community district 5 faced eviction last year. This means children forced to commute over 90 minutes from shelters in Queens to the Bronx, severing vital social bonds and support networks that are crucial for their development. The resulting stress at the household and community level permeates our community, manifesting as food insecurity, poor health outcomes, and even violence.”

“We cannot allow this to continue, which is why I am proud to sponsor two vital bills that will stabilize our communities and make our shelter systems more efficient,” continued Council Member Sanchez. “Int. 893 removes the requirement for a previous homelessness history, while Int. 894 eases work and income requirements for shelter residents. These measures will relieve program requirements that essentially require homelessness as a precondition to voucher eligibility and instead make CityFHEPs accessible as an upstream prevention tool to keep families in their homes and out of shelter.”

Introduction 229-A, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán, would prohibit the Department of Social Services from deducting a utility allowance from the maximum amount of a CityFHEPS voucher except in limited circumstances.

“A comfortable, reliable home is the essential pillar of a dignified life, and a key foundation of true public safety, not to mention public health. New Yorkers without one are, almost by definition, not safe, not healthy, and not being shown the respect they are entitled to as human beings whose lives inherently matter,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “I’m so proud to stand with my colleagues Council Member Sanchez and Deputy Speaker Ayala in putting forward this vital package of legislation to further the goal of housing as a human right.”