2,330 SECTION 8 VOUCHERS TERMINATED
In light of severe funding cuts to the New York City Housing Authority's (NYCHA's) Section 8 Leased Housing Program, NYCHA is unable to honor 2,330 vouchers that it has issued. Leased Housing Department Assistant Deputy General Manager Gregory Kern sent a letter to all 2,330 affected voucher-holders on December 30th, notifying them that their vouchers would not be processed, while emphasizing NYCHA's commitment to help those affected and their families. NYCHA's current Section 8 tenants are not at risk.
NYCHA's Citywide Section 8 voucher program is the largest in the nation, with 101,559 active Section 8 residents and over 29,000 landlords.
Participants in the Section 8 program, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher program, pay a reasonable share of their income in rent each month to a participating landlord, and NYCHA makes up the difference. The subsidy paid to the landlord is usually between 30% of the household income and the contract rent.
A number of factors have led to NYCHA's inability to honor the 2,330 vouchers. In May 2009, the federal government cut NYCHA's Section 8 funding six times more than expected, rescinding $58 million instead of the anticipated $10 million. At the same time, the demand for Section 8 has been extraordinary over the past year while turnover last year was half what it was in 2008 (3% instead of 6%).
When funding was cut in May, NYCHA took several steps to preserve funding for those most in need, issuing vouchers only to families under duress: these included victims of domestic violence, referrals from the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) and individuals in the Witness Protection Program, among others.
The result was an immediate drop in the number of vouchers issued by 70%.
The 2,330 affected voucher-holders will be given priority to have their vouchers restored should Section 8 funding become available. NYCHA, along with ACS, the Department of Homeless Services and the Human Resources Administration, is working collaboratively and aggressively to identify alternative housing assistance.
In the meantime, DHS is offering advice and counseling on alternatives to shelter for those at risk of homelessness through Homebase offices located Citywide. Those interested should call 311 for the nearest Homebase location. The Housing Authority is not accepting any new Section 8 applications.