However, where a district seeks reimbursement for costs (New. Many of NYC's 30,000 students in shelters still waiting for Whats the deal with CORE Services Group? And in fact, its actually much more cost-effective to ensure that people have permanent affordable housing, than to just continuously watch the shelter system expand.. ***Well, housing connect is great! This voucher increase cannot come soon enough. In order to be eligible, someone earning minimum wage would need to make sure they dont work more than 33 hours a week in order to qualify (most hourly jobs operate on a 35 or 37.5 hr. Officials said it was at capacity or over. 10-04 Initial Eligibility and Approval for Shelter Residents and Persons Who Are Street Homeless. To implement recent amendments to the Citys Administrative Code, HRA is increasing the maximum rents for apartments and single room occupancies by providing that HRA will set the maximum rents in accordance with section 982.503 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, at the standard adopted by the New York City Housing Authority pursuant to federal law to administer the Section 8 program in New York City. HRA should support its case managers and third-party providers by promoting an understanding of the new Rule and voucher levels, and ensuring that procedures to apply and process applicants are accessible and streamlined. (f) The standard of need for determining eligibility of a single person who has applied for safety net assistance who resides in a public shelter for the homeless other than a shelter for families operated under Part 900 of this Title is the sum of the statewide monthly grant and allowance, the statewide monthly home energy payments, the statewide supplemental home energy payments and the local agency monthly shelter allowance schedule without children, as contained in section 352.3(a)(1) of this Part, each for a single person living alone. At $32,200 for singles and $54,900 for families of three, 250% FPL is an extremely low income ceiling for a high-cost city, such as New York. Prior versions of the bill did not have the existing income restrictions. Residents are held accountable, as we all are, for the behaviors and conditions necessary to live safely with neighbors, are entitled to privacy within their own home, and are encouraged to feel safe to share behavioral health needs or crises without concern about jeopardizing housing security or being required to engage in a particular course of treatment. 10-01 (nn) Clarify the Street homeless definition to include anyone receiving case management services at a DHS Drop-In Center, or residing in a safe haven. It is not at all uncommon in NYC apartments to have flex spaces generally for office or dining use be converted into a bedroom; we ought not rob families of options that would work well and be safe for their families based on some arbitrary standard absent actual evidence of overcrowding or other hazardous conditions. However, incentives or requirements for landlord participation are lacking. for the Coalition for the Homeless, told City & State. Eliminate the 10-04 (a) (8) (A) and 10-04 (b) and 10-04 (c) requirement of a 90-day qualifying shelter stay for a household to become eligible for CityFHEPS. Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have DHS considers families with children to be the following households: Families with children younger than 21 years of age Pregnant women Families with a pregnant woman Families with Children: Applying for Temporary Housing Assistance Families with Children: The Shelter System Families with Children: Special Inititatives We need the voucher value to increase! I am a current cityFHEPS voucher recipient. The mother does not supervise either of her children, but allows them to aggravate me day & night. Additionally, you may contact our legal The constant anger & stress have debilitated me to the point of being hospitalized twice. Its only me and my daughter on the case all because my son gets a check!! *As of March 2020, there have been some important changes to the application process due to the pandemic. Councilmember Stephen Levin-Chair, General Welfare Committee, HRA Rules I was told once I start work and make over a certain amount Im no longer eligible for cityfheps. The wages in New York are low compared to the cost of living . Hello. What is the policy if your hotel room is filled with a molded carpet because the hotel refuses to handle the problem the correct way. But the part that hurts the most is being accepted for 4 lottery apartments and because the case workers and directors dont want to help me update my voucher I have Been Rejected I cry everyday to the point where Ive started Harming myself. 146-C, and for increasing maximum rent levels to match those of NYCHA Section 8 standards. Download the PDF (English / Spanish). Resources of course, but what is perhaps more vital are new approaches, a new vision for what is acceptable, and of course, collaboration to build and sustain the political will for systemic change. Hello, I am currently a voucher holder. I am currently looking to transfer to another apartment with my safety transfer and have not been able to find anything at all in Staten Island due to my voucher amount. However, if their income increases to 2,700 a month, they will lose the voucher and be liable for the entire $1,900 rent value. Have Fheps but my daughter has now turned 19. All families who are applying for shelter at PATH must have proper identification for all members of their household, such as: Any form of ID with a picture and proof of age, such as a welfare ID card, green card, driver's license, passport or visa, or picture employment card Gabriela Sandoval Requena on behalf of New Destiny Housing Corporation. Housing Works urges HRA to amend or clarify the program rules address the following additional issues: We thank you for your work to provide permanent, stable housing to New Yorkers, for the immediate implementation of higher maximum rents for CityFHEPS, the creation of CityFHEPS project-based vouchers, and the opportunity to submit comment. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York. A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a Two or more adults who can provide birth certificates to prove a parent/child or sibling family relationship. Please implement the increases swiftly, properly, and so that it is the most efficient it could be. Wrongful Convictions, Appeals, Clemency & Sealing, Advocating for Financial Rights & Assisting Entrepreneurs, Empowering People with Disability & Health Issues, Lifting the Voices of Children & Adolescents, Supporting Survivors of Violence & Navigating Divorce, What You Need to Know About Applying for Shelter at PATH. I was recently put on the waiting list for Section 8 when it opened for NYC, but I honestly have no hope. I was in good health when I moved in here ready for a fresh start to get on my feet. Its like no matter how hard you try to get on your feet its a wall blocking you from greatness. Personal Information. The Coalition and Legal Aid have repeatedly called for the City and State to address the root of the problem the lack of affordable housing in New York City through investments in new housing development, rental assistance, supportive housing, and public housing. Similarly, under the proposed amendments, households total gross income cannot exceed 250% of Federal Poverty Line (FPL) in order to remain eligible for CityFHEPS ( 10-08). I have a voucher and Im trying to find a 2 bedroom apartment but landlords and brokers do not offer apartments for $1,580, especially not a two bedroom. Family Shelters Attachment G - Emergency Operational Plan Family Shelters Attachment H - Request for Regulations Waiver Form . Hello, I currently have a Citifheps voucher and the conditions Im living in is uninhabitable I stay in a air tight room, with NO WINDOWS and an illegal air conditioning system and Im on hemo-diaylsis I had multiple hospital visit due to these issues and I cant take it No longer its not good for my health both mentally and physically. Im a voucher holder and dont know how much longer I have being that five is the cut off time. What We Do - WIN See attached comments. "The right to shelter is a vitally important part of New York City's safety net . This is not a mistake. able to use or see these sharing tools. We simply want our health care. Retirees rally at City Hall for Medicare Advantage bill, Challengers soar past George Santos in fundraising, SOMOS COMMUNITY CARE: AT THE HEART OF PRIMARY CARE. I commend the City for passing Intro 146 and moving toward its full implementation to make CityFHEPS work for New Yorkers. The Division of Shelter Oversight and Compliance (DSOC) is responsible for the certification and inspection of publicly funded homeless shelters for families and adults throughout New York State. I have no productivity because I cant go to bed when I want to & cant get up when I need to. (b) Each social services official must establish: (1) An allowance for each recipient or family purchasing room and/or board to cover the cost of board, room rent and other expenses, except where such items and services are furnished by a legally responsible relative or a recipient of public assistance. Comments are now closed. 2 yrs, 7 mo. She's been staying at a Queens shelter with her family. As an organization committed to ending the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness, New Destiny has serious concerns with this criterion. We commend HRA for your sense of urgency to implement increased rent levels earlier than required by Int. The requirements and expectations are unrealistic. I was told because my child receives Ssi I have a portion to pay thats why my voucher is that amount. performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. The question of whether the recipient has left the program prior to completion will be determined solely by using the guidelines and rules of the program. Andrea Stewart-Cousins wants to ax the Commission on Judicial Nomination, A (not so) brief guide to New Yorks bail reform evolution, What you need to know about NYC retirees health care fight, Following the asylum-seeker odyssey: a timeline. Homelessness remains at record levels in NYC, with over 50,000 people in shelters each night, and thousands more New Yorkers struggling to survive on the streets or other places not intended for sleeping. HRA staff at Centers and ACCESSHRA as well as applicants must all be informed that the household is applying for a single issuance, not ongoing Cash Assistance. PDF SEX OFFENDERS IN THE NYC HOMELESS SYSTEM - The New York State Senate City of New York. NYC's Homeless Shelters Are Straining to Adapt to the Migrant Crisis In response to the stories, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday in a press conference that there are only so many organizations that provide the services.. What do families need to bring to PATH in order to apply for shelter? However, there exists a glaring deficiency in the legislation with regard to the income cap of 250% FPL. I have the voucher currently having problems to transfer to another apartment NO LANDLORD WANTS THIS VOUCHER. It has long been known that income cliffs and greater-than-100% marginal tax rates are bad policy, which is why there are programs like the EITC designed to subsidize, rather than penalize, working. Advocates Want the Changes Made Permanent By David Brand . The fallacy that housing is a draw to shelter must end and the Citys housing policies should not reflect it. Its as if the system is built to keep us in the system . determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and The City should adopt the federal Section 8 programs renewal criteria, in which the voucher holder only becomes ineligible when 30% of their income equals the cost of their rent, better allowing voucher households to build economic stability and opportunity and helping to ensure they are not rent-burdened when the voucher ends. Establish and disseminate clear policies and procedures pursuant to 10-01 and 10-03 to ensure equal and meaningful access to referrals from CityFHEPS qualifying programs to prevent or abbreviate a stay in a DHS or HRA shelter, including routine referrals for all homeless youth; and non-profits under contract with the City. All New York City shelter operating budgets will be due by July 1st annually, beginning with the City . PDF 18 NYCRR Part 900.12 Resident Obligations/Rights - Office of Temporary 2023 The Legal Aid Society. Alongside this concern is the even lower eligibility criteria of just 200% FPL. Simone said the city ought to be providing proper oversight over providers its contracting for its shelters and should select providers that are responsive to clients and will provide people with humane shelters. PDF Shelter Program Rules - Mass.gov Homeless Intake Shelters and Drop-In Centers (DICs) - ACCESS NYC Our vouchers have a clock and its ticking and we dont have the luxury of burning time trying to hold those that have denied us housing accountable. I have current auto protections,dv papers, public assistance never sanctioned or closed, we care and ssi track and still nothing? This is critical to ensure that these vital programs reach the New Yorkers they are intended to serve. This increase is indeed needed as it will allow a greater field of opportunity especially living in such a expensive city like NYC alongside the increase landlord listings for those who will accept programs and offer opportunities for voucher holders. Rather than cut off voucher access entirely for households at 250% of FPL, putting them at risk of homelessness again, HRA should move to a model that caps rent at 30% of a familys income. Workers literally turn down raises in order to maintain their housing voucher. performance. to learn more. There is now, in 2021, a large and strong evidence base for this housing first approach to housing assistance, and at Housing Works we have seen firsthand the healing power of safe, secure housing as the baseline for improved health and well-being. To apply for shelter, you must bring identification and proof that your household constitutes an adult family. Some have flat out blocked me after telling them the name of the voucher. and paying NYC local, state and federal taxes, its appalling the disgraceful help we receive from our city government and the Human Resources Administration, just to help us get back on our feet and embrace financial independence and permanent housing once again. Regulations | Shelter Oversight and Compliance | OTDA This rate must be established in accordance with the provisions of Part 408 of this Title. I am consistent with my search and contact. Eyes are on the shelter system in light of recent investigations from the New York Times and the New York Post into CORE Services Group, which revealed that its CEO Jack A. After working for 40yrs straight, making upwards to $80k/yr. will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. All intake facilities for individual adults are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays. The water is usually yellow and when its not yellow it smells of rust,the floorboards are coming up which is a huge concern for me considering that I am less than 4 months away from giving birth to baby girl whos most likely going to end up crawling on these floors. We jump through all the hoops and I respect its their property but my kids are not less because I have a voucher and Im sick they deserve the same as anyone elses kids who are in a better financial position than I am we need help my family and the thousands of others who are holding an illusion they call a voucher. Beyond that, Simone stressed that nothing in the Callahan consent decree prevents the city from investing in permanent housing, arguing that whats emerged is a false dichotomy between shelter and housing. I literally have a piece of my kitchen ceiling hanging. *** https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/cityfheps.page, https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nycha/downloads/pdf/S8_%20PH%20Occupancy%20Standards.pdf. THE NEW MONTHY RENT INCREASES (Equivalent, TO MONTHLY RENTS FOR SECTION 8),WILL TAKE EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1, 2021.AS OF 2018- Presently,I HAVE PATIENTLY, WAITED, to obtain a new, Uptown Bronx, lower-Manhattan, or(various sections of Brooklyn), 0ne(1)-bedroom Apartment. (a) The standard of need includes an allowance to be provided by each social services district for persons residing in the following living situations: room and board; approved residential programs for victims of domestic violence; maternity homes; family homes or boarding homes; family care or residential care facilities; drug-abuse-control facilities and residential facilities for the mentally disabled. Im currently at 25 Junius St. this shelter is no help at all. I have perfect rental history. Sometimes even a single dollar can prevent you from finding any apartment. We are a family of 5 . Families with Children: Applying for Temporary Housing Assistance New York City remains in the worst homelessness crisis in a century, with some 51,000 people living in Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters each night, and hundreds of thousands more at risk of losing their homes due to loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preferences menu of your browser. DHS or HRA DV). Under Section 8, the household only becomes ineligible for rental assistance once 30% of their income is equal to their rent, allowing the household to earn more and ensuring they are not rent-burdened after the voucher ends. As the Chair of the City Councils General Welfare Committee and the sponsor of Introduction 146 (enacted as Local Law 71 of 2021), I commend Mayor de Blasio and HRA for implementing the legislation on September 1st, and increasing the maximum allowable rents for CityFHEPS vouchers to Section 8 allowable standards. The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. My son should count as a person on my case I need a two bedroom please my children need a room, The bedroom size need to be updated . And do something about landlords they dont want this voucher the moment you say voucher they stop talking block and ghost you. Subscribe to The Legal Aid Society's newsletters for campaign updates, case victories, client stories, and more. Our vouchers will not cover the rent for the 130% AMI units in higher opportunity areas in NYC unless the unit is a studio or 1-bedroom. And I feel like even with the increase landlords not gonna want it. ALSO it would be much easier for voucher holders if HRA and Housing Connect worked TOGETHER. The level of the tax rate can be quite high. We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to Its getting to the point that Im thinking of moving out of NYC all together. Under Section 8s income renewal criteria, which we feel should also be adopted for CityFHEPS, the household only becomes ineligible when 30% of their income equals the cost of their rent, allowing the household to earn more and ensuring they are not rent-burdened after the voucher ends. may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other Since the pandemic began I lost my place and came to be closer to family Ive been staying with family members house to house trying to find an apartment in a decent area in the bronx for me and my 16 year old twins Im on SSI after working for the citys shelter system and living in the shelter before I really couldnt do it again especially since my daughter and I having medical issues. Family Shelters: New York | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and For example, to increase text size using: In the menu to the right of the address bar, select and set Zoom level. Introduction Sex offenders can enter the homeless system in a number of ways. [Public relief and care] Family-type homes certified by the Office of Children and Family Services and family care homes certified by the Office of Mental Health or the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The amendments to the Citys Administrative Code take effect in December 2021. We have and we do. For many voucher holders, access to quality housing is already difficult and families know what situation is appropriate for them. SHARE Three in Four Family Shelter Applications Rejected in 2021, Setting Record LinkedIn A family leaves the PATH shelter intake center in the South Bronx, Jan. 27, 2022. Examples of documents showing the definition of a family is met include: Learn more about how families with children or pregnant women can apply for shelter. Moreover, it introduces uncertainty for landlords who accept the vouchers, who have to worry they can be taken away when someones income increases a small amount, rather than gradually phased out as a persons income grows to where they can afford the entire rental cost at 30% of income. This is the only way that families with vouchers can move into high opportunity areas in NYC under the current 421-a tax abatement rules. If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a We strongly urge DSS/HRA to ensure continued eligibility for a CityFHEPS voucher renewal until a household has sufficient income to be able to afford their housing by paying no more than 30% of income towards rent, the Federal standard for housing affordability. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking The system is supposed to help us and honestly in Nyc its like the system is against us. Additionally, tenants and landlords need a way to troubleshoot directly with HRA disruptions in Public Assistance benefits which cause CityFHEPS to fall off budget. They (2) When a facility provides some or all or the items for which the allowance is intended through an in-kind contribution, the value thereof shall be computed and shall be applied to reduce the amount of the allowance. July 27, 2009 Homeless families can be kicked out of city shelters for repeatedly breaking rules like staying out past curfew or for refusing apartments offered to them, according to a tougher. Indeed, Housing Works has successfully employed this low-threshold, harm reduction approach to serve over 500 residents since March 2020 at the Isolation Hotel we operate under contract with DSS to provide a safe, private, and supported space for people experiencing homelessness to recover from COVID-19 illness. OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, CHAPTER II. Why do some poverty-stricken families have access to better schools, healthcare, and safer neighborhoods than others in this city? We are also happy to see clarification that SCRIE and DRIE households can also access CityFHEPS if otherwise eligible, and simplifies the street homeless definition. However, you Landlords who the City fails to pay need available and effective paths to escale non-payment issues and to be granted just compensation for the Citys failure to perform. Effective 9/9/21 I will be separated from my job and my current portion on rent that I pay myself is $831.75 and I wont be able to pay that by the end of next month. families benefitting from SCRIE/DRIE may use CityFHEPS toward their rent. Cant voucher holders who already have rentals based on the current standard be exempt from the offset that would come with utilizing SAFMR? Good morning , Ive received my voucher for cityfheps many months ago and I am currently living in a homeless shelter in red hook , its nasty in there , unsafe , nobody helps me (case worker , placement specialist) wise and Ive been trying to get into my own place for so long Ive mad calls , emailed people and nobody wants this voucher what so ever especially because the amount of the voucher is $1265 nobody can get anything with that amount living in the 5 boroughs everything is expensive and its time for me to be on my own ASAP I really need you guys to increase this voucher a lot more if you want all of us to feel comfortable/ live comfortable in NYC if not is there a way for us cityfheps holders to get section 8 because I need to be in my own and cityfheps is honestly bogus ! Other positions I have held include VISTA Volunteer/community organizer, Family Court probation officer, Probation and NYPD project director, ACS director of contracted preventive services programs. The City intends to use the data collected from this survey to generally add and improve City services. Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on the proposed rulemaking. Menu > Zoom > +, In the View menu, select Zoom. To remedy this, we recommend to provide tenants with a CityFHEPS shopping letter and presumptive eligibility, while coordinating PA single issuance paperwork separately, budgeting the household and opening the single issuance when the apartment is located. With all of that said, here is my experience: **** 99% of private landlords do not take vouchers. Thats all I have to say about that. Telephone: (212) 776-2000 The regulatory amendments provide an alternative to the following general rules regarding sleeping arrangements: Not more than . Im currently living in a one bedroom apartment with 4 people in the household. The voucher should be made so that families could rely on it until they are self-sufficient and able to afford rent once it becomes 30% of their income. I dont receive rent help no nothing its frustrating being all bunched up under on roof with little children. I Feel as if they should raise everybody cityfheps voucher even if they have a place because what if they can not pay the water or electricity bill and they have alot of kids how do they live they would have to find another place asap those are just my thoughts on the matter, Have tenants with the voucher be able to transfer without a actual reason - sometimes things change and they cant continue where they are at.