0:00:09 12 sec
Procedure
Staff calls Housing and Buildings Committee to order
Council staff opens the hearing, reminds attendees to silence devices, and confirms Chair Sanchez is ready to begin the committee meeting.
New York City Council
Committee on Housing and Buildings
Establishing a rental assistance voucher program
Jun 30, 2026 · 10:30 AM · 8 min 30 sec
Hearing Vote
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
0:00:21 33 sec
Remarks
Chair Sanchez opens with gratitude to Speaker Menin and coalition
Chair Pierina Ana Sanchez introduces herself and thanks Speaker Julie Menin, the City Council leadership, and the Progressive Caucus for holding the line on FEPS settlement negotiations, calling the moment monumental.
0:00:54 19 sec
Remarks
Sanchez introduces T-2026-2097 rental assistance voucher legislation
Sanchez introduces the preconsidered bill T-2026-2097, sponsored by her, which establishes a new rental assistance program for New Yorkers facing imminent eviction and shelter residents previously excluded from City FEHEPS, advancing a component of the settlement between the Council, the Mamdani administration, and the Legal Aid Society.
0:01:14 46 sec
Remarks
History of City FEPS and multi-year legal battle
Sanchez recounts the history of City FEPS from its 2018 establishment through the 2023 Council expansion vote, the previous mayor's refusal to implement the law, and the joint lawsuit with Legal Aid Society that led to the current settlement with the Mamdani administration.
0:01:59 48 sec
Remarks
Settlement goals, funding commitments, and estimated impact
Sanchez details the legislation's goals of preserving 2023 FEPS reforms, with $175 million in FY27 and $125 million baseline annually, projected to serve approximately 9,600 families with housing stability they have awaited for years.
0:02:48 48 sec
Remarks
Sanchez clarifies shelter population eligibility thresholds
Addressing press misunderstandings, Sanchez explains that eligibility is largely intact: families and adults in shelter earning above 200% FPL and below 50% AMI qualify, with expanded access to runaway homeless youth, DYCD shelter residents, HPD shelter residents, and MACJ shelter residents.
0:03:36 54 sec
Remarks
Community eligibility, no work requirement, and funding allocation
Sanchez describes the new community eligibility category for renters facing eviction in rent-stabilized apartments at 50% AMI, confirms there is no work requirement, and explains funding will be evenly split between in-shelter and in-community populations, with a provision allowing future expansion.
0:04:30 29 sec
Remarks
Codified reforms: ending 90-day rule and utility allowance fix
Sanchez notes the legislation codifies reform laws from 2023, including ending the 90-day shelter rule championed by then-Councilmember Diana Ayala and reforming the utility allowance advanced by Councilmember Tiffany Caban.
0:04:59 35 sec
Remarks
Sanchez frames historic shift from shelter reliance to permanent homes
Sanchez emphasizes the legislation represents a historic win, responsibly expanding vouchers through a capped appropriation rather than an entitlement, and pivoting the city from costly shelter reliance toward permanent housing for vulnerable families.
0:05:34 1 min 8 sec
Remarks
Sanchez acknowledges staff, advocates, and coalition partners
Sanchez thanks the legislative division staff including Andrea Vasquez, Jeff Baker, and general counsel Maka Ehebe; finance division staff; Mayor's counsel Steve Banks; and the Homes Can't Wait Coalition, Legal Aid Society, Vocal New York, WIN, Coalition for the Homeless, and other advocates, as well as her own team.
0:06:42 29 sec
ROLL CALL
Roll call vote on T-2026-2097
Committee Clerk William Martin conducts the roll call. Chair Sanchez votes aye, followed by Council Members Riley, Feliz, Abreu, and others casting affirmative votes with congratulations to the Chair.
0:07:11 1 min 7 sec
Remarks
Council Member Hudson explains her aye vote
Crystal Hudson acknowledges Chair Sanchez and her team's tireless efforts, noting the outcome is not exactly where they wanted but represents significant progress, and casts her vote in the affirmative.
0:08:18 17 sec
VOTE OUTCOME
Item adopted by full committee 11-0
The clerk announces the vote of 11 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative, with no abstentions. The item is adopted by the full committee, and Chair Sanchez closes the vote.