CM Banks questions OMB on emergency housing vouchers for NYCHA residents

Council Member Brinks, followed by Morano.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I know the emergency housing vouchers has been something that's been of concern.

And obviously, due to the fact the impact it may have on close to 5,200 NYCHA residents and some of the most vulnerable residents of public housing.

During the last week's hearing, we heard that NYCHA is conducting outreach to the 5,200 EHV holders.

And approximately, we believe, 1,200 had actually been signed up for the Section 9 wait list.

This leaves approximately 4,000 households with an uncertain future with the EHV funding, which is set to expire in November.

Is OMB aware of any state funding or alternative housing voucher programs that would help cover the $124 million,

which is the annual cost for these households?

And is the city prepared to cover any shortfall that might arise to ensure that these residents are able to retain their housing?

Yes, Councilmember.

We knew that this was an important issue that we had to confront in the face of the federal government cuts here in this area.

So what we will do is we will

been able to do is work with our agencies.

We've looked at reallocating alternative federal funding, notably the home tenant-based rental assistance program.

And we were able to do that so that we can use basically

this rental assistance program to assist the households that are affected over a two-year transition period.

Okay.

So, you know, I think the long-term outlook we have to really focus on still as well because the problem will come right back.

We need to make sure that we're addressing it head on, but we went to work to find that alternative, as you noted, that will work for the short term.

And are you looking at any vouchers?

Are these residents eligible for FEPS?

Or I know NYCHA has been known to use the housing voucher for a lot of residents who are on Project Bay Section 8.

If they choose to leave or opt out of Project Bay Section 8, they've given NYCHA residents the housing choice voucher.

Is that an option as well?

Yeah, I mean, I think we take a holistic approach if we can assist households in any way.

If you don't match up with one particular voucher and we need assistance, then our goal is to try to help as much as possible.

So you will cover the shortfall.

We'll look at it.

We're covering the shortfall in terms of what we're doing.

Talking about for that specific, the EHV loss, right, the emergency housing voucher loss through the tenant-based assistance program.

But if there are any other gaps to fill that wouldn't be covered by what we've talked about, we'll look at other voucher programs.

We just don't know if there's a match.

Just want to make sure these 5,200 or the remaining 14,000, 4,000 households are covered and protected.

We'll make sure we work with NYCHA to make sure that we can do what we can.

And one last question.