Tuesday, September 26, 2023

MAYOR ADAMS GIVES NEW YORKERS ABILITY TO USE CITY-FUNDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE

 

City Continues to Develop and Utilize All Tools Available to Get New Yorkers Housed

 

New Yorkers With CityFHEPS Housing Vouchers Will Now Be Able to Find Permanent, Affordable Homes Not Only Within New York City but Also Across New York State

 

Amid Severe Housing Shortage and Record-High Shelter Populations, Thousands of Households With Housing Vouchers Are in NYC Shelters Unable to Find Permanent Homes

 

City Connected More New Yorkers to Permanent Homes With CityFHEPS Last Year Than in Any Year Since Program’s Creation

 

Only CityFHEPS Voucher Holders Will Be Eligible for Expanded Program


New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced further innovations to the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) rental assistance program that will immediately and significantly expand access to housing for New Yorkers with housing vouchers. While New York City continues to face a serious housing shortage with a record-high shelter population totaling more than 113,000 individuals in the city’s care, CityFHEPS voucher holders will now be able to utilize their voucher to obtain permanent, affordable housing not only within New York City but also in any county or locality across New York State.

 

“As a result of a housing crisis and more than 116,000 asylum seekers arriving in New York City asking for shelter since last spring, we have more people than ever in the city’s care. Our shelters are far past capacity, but thousands of households still remain left stuck without any affordable housing options across the five boroughs. Now is the time to create new options for permanent affordable housing for New Yorkers by expanding CityFHEPS even further than this administration did earlier this year,” said Mayor Adams. “These reforms will give longtime New Yorkers the ability to move out of our city’s shelter system to other parts of the state with more affordable housing options, while simultaneously opening up space in our city’s shelter system for the approximately 10,000 migrants who continue to arrive in the city seeking shelter month after month. We hope our partners across the state will greet these longtime New Yorkers with open arms and good job opportunities.”

 

“Today’s announcement puts more choices in the hands of New Yorkers who hold CityFHEPS vouchers by increasing the housing stock from which they can choose,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “They can now settle here in the city or anywhere across the state, thereby quickening the rate at which they can secure stable housing for themselves and their families. This important policy change helps take one more step in the city’s effort to help every individual and family secure a permanent home.”

 

“Despite housing supply constraints, we helped connect a record number of CityFHEPS voucher-holders to permanent housing in New York City through the implementation of robust reforms, innovative housing solutions, and focused placement efforts this past fiscal year,” said New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “With this critical statewide expansion of housing opportunities for CityFHEPS voucher-holders, we will be able to honor their choice to pursue stable housing and job opportunities anywhere in New York State, while better aligning the city-funded rental assistance program with federal rental assistance standards. With this commonsense step, we also look forward to building on the vital progress we have made increasing placements from shelter to permanent housing by nearly 18 percent year over year.”

 

The commonsense step Mayor Adams is taking today will build on the significant progress the city has already made to connect vulnerable New Yorkers, including those in the city’s shelter system, to permanent, affordable housing. In the last year, the Adams administration implemented robust reforms and process improvements to expand access to CityFHEPS vouchers and then eliminated the 90-day length-of-stay requirement for New Yorkers in shelter to be eligible for CityFHEPS vouchers — allowing New Yorkers who would have otherwise been required to wait 90 days before becoming eligible for a housing voucher to immediately become eligible for CityFHEPS and bringing them one step closer to finding permanent housing.

 

Those changes helped contribute to the Adams administration making historic progress moving New Yorkers from shelter into permanent housing by connecting more households to permanent homes in New York City with CityFHEPS last year than in any year since the program’s inception. Furthermore, in Fiscal Year 2023, DSS helped 15,000 households move out of shelters and into permanent housing using a variety of tools and subsidies — an approximate increase of 18 percent over the prior fiscal year. As a result of the agency’s focused efforts, new initiatives, and process improvements, DSS also increased overall placements in supportive housing by 32 percent year-over-year.

 

New York City’s severe housing shortage has been one of the greatest impediments to the administration’s efforts to connect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity to stable, affordable housing, as less than 1 percent of apartments with rents below $1,500 are currently available for new tenants — the lowest in 30 years. As a result, thousands of households with housing vouchers are currently living in shelter, unable to find permanent, affordable housing. By allowing CityFHEPS voucher holders the opportunity to identify and obtain housing outside of the five boroughs, the city is expanding a critical pathway out of shelter and into permanent, affordable housing, while simultaneously reaffirming its commitment to voucher holders who have long requested additional flexibility to explore housing opportunities beyond the bounds of New York City. Housing mobility is a key pillar of fair housing policy, and this step will help better align the CityFHEPS voucher program with the federal Section 8 voucher program in that regard.

 

As the Adams administration enters the second year of responding, largely alone, to a global humanitarian crisis, and the federal government declines to implement the national decompression strategy Mayor Adams has urged for months, such solutions are critical to the city’s efforts to quickly move more New Yorkers from shelter into permanent housing and make additional space available for tens of thousands of asylum seekers, as well as the large population of longtime unhoused New Yorkers.

 

Increasing the number of households able to move out of city shelters and into permanent housing has become increasingly urgent as more than 116,000 people seeking asylum in the United States have come through the city’s care seeking shelter since spring 2022, with hundreds more arriving each day, often without existing support systems and in need of temporary housing assistance. Though the city has continued to lead on this national crisis without the proper support necessary from its partners, this unprecedented influx has severely strained the city’s capacity to provide a temporary place to stay for those who need it. Before this crisis began, the New York City Department of Homeless Services shelter census was approximately 45,000 people, down from a previous peak of about 61,000. Today, the total number of individuals in the city’s care, including both longtime unhoused New Yorkers and asylum seekers stands at more than 113,000 — more than doubling in just over a year.

 

The Adams administration continues to urge the state and federal government to provide substantial support to help address the increasingly dire need for shelter for the more than 10,000 asylum seekers arriving every month in New York City in search of shelter. State law dictates that the overwhelming majority of asylum seekers are not eligible for non-emergency, ongoing assistance and thus are not eligible for CityFHEPS, including this expansion.

 

CityFHEPS is the largest city-funded rental assistance program in the nation. The program — established under the CityFHEPS rule — allows individuals and families to rent apartments at competitive market-rate rents based on the federal Section 8 Payment Standards. To support local housing markets outside of New York City, CityFHEPS payment standards will be adjusted based on the fair market rent levels of each locality, and all apartments will be required to pass a physical or virtual walkthrough, in accordance with existing DSS policy. This process will ensure that all voucher holders are placed in safe and habitable units, regardless of where they choose to move. Since the implementation of city-funded rental assistance in 2014, nearly 150,000 New Yorkers in 63,000 households have received support to move into permanent housing or remain stably housed. Currently, the CityFHEPS program alone supports 30,000 households through the provision of a rental subsidy.

 

“Children's Rescue Fund supports the expansion of CityFHEPS housing voucher for more New Yorkers to obtain permanent housing in all 62 counties of New York State,” said Orlando Ivey, president and CEO, Children’s Rescue Fund. “We understand the profound impact that stable housing has on individuals and families and the expansion of CityFHEPS vouchers to encompass housing opportunities statewide is a powerful step towards this goal and a testament to the city and state’s collaborative efforts in addressing homelessness and providing individuals and families with a second chance at a brighter future. It not only provides hope but tangible options for those striving to rebuild their lives."

 

“BronxWorks is encouraged by the announcement by the New York City Department of Social Services to expand housing opportunities for CityFHEPS voucher holders to counties throughout New York State,” said Eileen Torres, executive director, BronxWorks. “This is an important development, as New York City is currently experiencing a housing crisis. Allowing households to use the CityFHEPS voucher across the state will create opportunities for housing access and choice that will reduce the amount of time people spend in shelters. Shorter stays in the shelter system will improve the quality of life for families, especially children, and will allow individuals and families to more quickly get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.” 


EDITOR'S NOTE: 

We are sure this use of New York City housing vouchers will be attempted to be stopped in court. The CityFHEPS  vouchers are for housing in New York City not outside of the city.


Statement from NYGOP Chair Ed Cox in response to today's court decision blocking the Adams administration from housing illegal migrants at a former Catholic school:

 New NYSGOP logo 2023

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox today released the following statement in response to today's decision by the Staten Island Supreme Court blocking the Adams administration from housing illegal migrants at a former Catholic school: 

 

“The decision from the Staten Island Supreme Court issued today is absolutely correct.  The 1981 consent decree was never intended to deal with the massive influx of migrants from across the globe and it should be either terminated or significantly limited.  I congratulate Borough President Fossella, Congresswoman Malliotakis, and the other elected officials who brought this legal action.

 

“The disastrous open borders policies of President Biden have been an abject failure.  The crisis on the border has now impacted states across the nation.  New York Democrats, such as Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, who’ve supported the unlimited right to shelter and sanctuary city policies share the blame for this crisis.  It is yet another example of how their 'progressive' policies are ruining our state. 

 

“Meanwhile, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie sit and do nothing.  Kathy Hochul needs to call the legislature back into session now.  The legislature should end the 'right to shelter' for migrants, repeal sanctuary city policies, and join with other states to bring legal action against the Biden Administration for their failure to enforce immigration laws.  Those without a valid claim of asylum - which includes most of the people coming across the border now – should be returned to their nation.  It is not right that those who’ve followed the law to seek entry into the United States are forced to wait behind those who’ve entered the nation illegally."


Permits Filed For 12 Gouverneur Place In Morrisania, The Bronx

 


Permits have been filed for a nine-story residential building at 12 Gouverneur Place in Morrisania, The Bronx. Located between Park Avenue and Washington Avenue, the lot is closest to the 167th Street subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 94-foot-tall development will yield 24,624 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 30 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 820 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Andrew Knox of ESKW/A is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Open House on September 30th at 12pm

 


BRAC OPEN HOUSE 

AND REGISTRATION DAY

Saturday, September 30th

12:00 - 5:00pm


Free art activities for the entire 

family!

Come for a tour of our studios and enjoy an 

afternoon of art activities, community painting,

art sales, snacks, giveaways and art supplies.


SCHEDULE


12:00pm - Meet & Greet
12:30pm - Printmaking Workshop with Tammy Wofsey
1:30pm - Gallery Tour with Jordan Horton
2:00pm - Painting Workshop with Marta Blair
3:00pm - Latin Music & Piano with Victor Santos
4:00pm - Fine Arts, Ceramics & Computer Lab Tours
4:30pm - Art Sale & Giveaways


Special thanks to Con Edison and ArtsConnection for their support!


RSVP on Eventbrite
Visit Education Page


Sign Up Now for Fall Session  

Classes Start October 2


Classes run for 10 weeks

October 2 - December 16 

  

WEEKLY ART CLASSES

(Full descriptions available at 

www.bronxriverart.org/education)



Registration for BRAC’s Fall 2023 education program is 
now open! Our fall semester will run for 10 weeks from 
October 2nd to December 16th. Our education program 
in visual and digital media arts covers everything from 
painting to drawing to ceramics to photography, and is 
led by professional artists and educators who work 
one-on-one with participating students to help hone their 
skills and creativity!

Children and Teen Classes (ages 7 - 19): 

$95 for 10 sessions

Child & Parent (child must be ages 6 - 12): 

$144 for 10 sessions

Young Adult and Adult Classes (20+): 

$120 for five sessions


SNAP RECIPIENTS CAN USE "SNAP10" TO GET AN EXTRA $10 OFF


Register for Afternoon, Evening, 

and Saturday Classes


FRIDAY THREE-HOUR WORKSHOPS

(Full descriptions available at 

www.bronxriverart.org/education)


Every Friday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm, BRAC is offering 
three-hour workshops in everything from perspective 
drawing to video production. Workshops are $12 per 
session and are open to everyone ages 7 and above; 
with the exception of the Figure Drawing workshops, 
which are $20 and for adults only.


TEEN PROJECT STUDIO +2.0

(Details and Application Link at 


Teen Project Studio +2.0 is an intensive, eight-week 
interdisciplinary arts program for teens and young adults 
ages 14 to 25. This is a FREE program limited to 15 students 
and is by application ONLY.

The Fall 2023 session will begin October 16, meeting 
Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. The 
program is a unique opportunity to experience and learn 
about visual arts and the creative industries in an interactive 
and challenging way, taught by professional artists and 
designers. It is also an opportunity to meet other participants 
with similar interests and eagerness to learn and create 
together. In this 8-week intensive you will also take field trips 
to museums, galleries and artist studios. Students will craft 
increasingly complex projects that aim to familiarize them 
with art and art production for the marketplace.


NOTE: Classes may not run if there are less than eight registered 

students. If the class is canceled, you will be notified before classes 

start.


Covid-19 Protocols:

We appreciate your continued vigilance and cooperation.


Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Hike-then-sip at VCPA’s Annual Hike-toberfest!

 

Hike-toberfest

Saturday, October 21st

Support the park! Hike-then-sip at VCPA’s Annual Hike-toberfest!

 

Hike in the park followed by a classic Oktoberfest celebration, complete with local beer, German food, live music, lawn games, and more.


Tickets on Sale!

Click here to purchase tickets.


HIKES!

 

Start times vary, click here for details.

Lots of options! Something for everyone!

All registered hike participants will receive a VCPA beanie!


All Hikes:

Are led by skilled guides;

Finish at approximately 4:00pm… please take note of start times;

Begin and end at the Van Cortlandt House Museum;

Require onsite check-in. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time for your hike.


OKTOBERFEST!


Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org