HPD Proposed Rule – City Housing Assistance Program

Comment by date: November 2, 2026

Printable Version of Proposed Rule Text
HPD-Proposed-Rules-re-Housing-Assistance-Program-Proposed-Rule-9.29.26.pdf

Local Law 126 of 2026 (the “Local Law”), which is codified in chapter 39 of title 26 of the Administrative Code, requires the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (“HPD”) to establish rules to implement a new City Housing Assistance Program (the “Program”) for families and individuals. HPD is proposing rules regarding administration of the Program to substantially align with the administration of HPD’s Housing Access Voucher Pilot Program (pursuant to NY Public Housing Law Article 14-a) as set forth in HPD’s Rental Subsidy Program Administrative Plan. The proposed rules would establish procedures regarding administration of the application process and waiting list for individuals and households participating in the Program. The rules would also establish priorities regarding the distribution of rental assistance vouchers issued pursuant to the Program. Per the Local Law: • 50% of the available funding in any fiscal year shall be used to provide vouchers to households in rent stabilized housing who are facing eviction (Administrative Code § 26-3903(a)(1)), and • 50% of the available funding in any fiscal year shall be used to provide vouchers to households living in shelters operated by agencies other than the Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration (“DSS shelters”) and households living in DSS shelters who are not eligible for City FHEPS (Administrative Code § 26-3903(a)(2)-(3)). In addition, a substantial portion of the vouchers issued to households residing in a shelter shall be distributed to households in each type of shelter. Specifically, the proposed rule would also establish: - Requirements for eligibility of a household under the Program, including that a household shall no longer be eligible to participate in the Program when 30 percent of the household’s monthly adjusted income is equal to or greater than the gross rent for the unit; - Requirements for the management of a waiting list of referrals to the Program to allocate the proportions of housing assistance payments contracts for the populations covered under the Program in accordance with section 26-3903 of the Administrative Code, that will be implemented subject to the timing of approval for rental assistance payments and disparities in expenditures for households and variables that include but may not be limited to the household size and the location of the unit; - Procedures for the issuance of vouchers under the Program; - Procedures regarding the approval of an assisted tenancy under the Program; - Requirements and procedures regarding housing assistance payments contracts under the Program; - Requirements and procedures regarding the calculation of the maximum monthly rents, including any utility allowances, for individuals and families participating in the Program; - Requirements and procedures to calculate the household monthly adjusted income for applicants to the Program, including that the department shall change the amount of monthly rental assistance based on changes to household income or composition; - Occupancy standards for households participating in the Program; - Requirements and procedures regarding the renewal of rental assistance provided under the Program; - Requirements regarding household obligations under the Program and requirements and procedures regarding the denial or termination of rental assistance under the Program; - Requirements for owners who accept vouchers under the Program; - Requirements regarding housing quality standards for buildings that have occupants who are receiving assistance under the Program and requirements for HPD when completing inspections of buildings housing participants in the Program; - Requirements for moving out of a unit, where the occupant or occupants of the unit have received assistance under the Program; and - Requirements governing administrative review of department determinations.

Send comments by

• Email: [email protected]
• Fax: 1 (212) 863-7749
• Mail: HPD/Housing Access and Stability, 100 Gold Street Room/Floor: 4-P1 ; New York, New York 10038

Public Hearings

Attendees who need reasonable accommodation for a disability such as a sign language translation should contact the agency by calling 1 (212) 863-8340 or emailing [email protected] by October 26, 2026