State Court Orders NYC to Expand Housing Voucher Program
On Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams faced a setback when a state court mandated that his administration follow the city council’s debated proposal to expand the housing voucher program in New York City.
The ongoing dispute between Adams’ administration and the city council centers around reforms aimed at eligibility for services tied to homelessness prevention and eviction aid known as CityFHEPS.
The court’s ruling emphasized that “The City Council, as the legislative body, has the authority to enact local laws that establish assumed shelter subsidies.”
With the proposed changes, New Yorkers would be able to receive residential vouchers without having to spend three months in the city’s shelter system. Additionally, it would prevent landlords from subtracting utility costs from the vouchers, raise the income limits for assistance, and eliminate job prerequisites.
However, Adams contends that these expansions could result in a staggering $17 billion cost to taxpayers over five years, arguing that they complicate efforts for individuals to transition out of shelters.
He noted, “Adding vouchers complicates the ability for people to leave homeless shelters. The affordable housing crisis won’t be fixed by competing for a lack of available homes. We really need to focus on increasing housing supply, which my administration is doing at record levels.”
Garcia, a spokesperson for Adams, also stated that the current administration has facilitated a “historic number” of New Yorkers finding permanent homes.
The administration has reportedly utilized CityFHEPS more than previous ones, assisting many individuals in securing permanent housing last year, even amidst a housing shortage with a low vacancy rate of just 1.4%. Yet, roughly 13,000 households remain in pursuit of stable housing through these vouchers.
In contrast, the city council argues that the mayor’s office estimates costs about $7 billion higher than anticipated for these reforms.
Rendy Desamolls, a city council spokesperson, expressed frustration, saying, “It’s unfortunate that Mayor Adams’ team has hindered New Yorkers from staying home and blocked the pathway from shelters to permanent housing.”
This court ruling marks the second significant challenge faced by Adams’ administration in recent weeks. In another instance, a Manhattan judge determined on June 30 that the mayor had broken the law when the federal government intervened to halt council measures on solitary confinement, instead of appealing to a designated monitor.
Nonetheless, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to the city, halting full enforcement of the local law regarding solitary confinement without monitor approval. A spokesperson for Adams remarked, “The implementation of Local Law 42 would jeopardize the safety of our staff and the public, and we appreciate Judge Swain’s decision to pause it.”
