New City Housing Assistance Program for Families and Individuals

Online comments: 10

• Anonymous

  Less paperwork to prove homeless, people in shelter do not have EVERY document, this hinders their ability to seek housing.

  Comment added October 8, 2026 8:57am

• Bekbol Shiribaiev

  To Deputy Commissioner Meryl Block Weissman:

  I am writing to support the City Housing Assistance Program and to urge HPD to strengthen the proposed rules in four areas: immigrant households, the consent requirement, documentation, and owner-caused termination.

  The program serves rent-stabilized households facing eviction and families living in shelters. Many of these households are immigrant families, including mixed-status families where some members are citizens or have lawful status and others do not. The proposed rules say nothing about immigration status, which leaves applicants guessing. Families who fear exposure will skip help they qualify for, and the vouchers will miss the people the program was built to protect.

  First, Section 65-04 should state that no household member needs to provide proof of citizenship, immigration status, or a Social Security number to be eligible, and that mixed-status households may apply. HPD should also state that information collected under the program will not be used to determine anyone’s immigration status.

  Second, Sections 65-12(a)(11), 65-13(a)(2), and 65-13(b)(2) require every household member to sign a consent form allowing HPD to “obtain and disclose” program information. Refusal means denial or termination of assistance. The rule does not say what HPD may disclose, to whom, or why. I recommend three changes. Limit disclosure to what is necessary to administer the program. Bar disclosure to federal immigration authorities unless the law requires it. Provide the form in plain language and in the household’s primary language.

  Third, Section 65-03(b) ranks applicants by the date and time of their completed application, and Sections 65-12(a)(3) and 65-13(c)(12) allow termination when documents are missing. People in shelter or facing eviction often lack complete records. Immigrants may hold documents in other languages or have no U.S. tax history. Section 65-04(f) already lets HPD rely on referring agency certifications for non-income criteria. HPD should accept alternative proof of income, such as self-attestation or letters from employers and community organizations, and give households a reasonable chance to fix missing documents before denial or termination.

  Fourth, under Section 65-13(b)(3), a household loses assistance when its owner is at fault, and that decision cannot be appealed. Tenants should not be punished for an owner’s actions. HPD should give prompt written notice, and enough time and help to find a new unit, before payments stop.

  For these reasons, I respectfully urge HPD to adopt the program with these changes.

  Thank you

  Comment added October 11, 2026 3:57pm

• Kimberly Billingslea

  There are people on housing voucher abusing the program by harassing their neighbor or neighbors and their sitting home all the time. Which creates a problem because it affects how the person feels in their home. Some are getting vouchers and I personally have been harassed myself by voucher holder and I have a voucher but I am a good tenant. This needs to change in NYC when a person is complianting about a voucher holder who is abusing the system and taking money from the city. Sitting home all day and harassing their neighbor everyday.

  Comment added October 14, 2026 11:04am

• Arthurgarriesjr

  Im ready now

  Comment added October 20, 2026 1:30am

• Anonymous

  Before this voucher program can truly benefit New Yorkers, a thorough audit of NYC’s shelter and housing assistance systems needs to be conducted. There are growing concerns about people relocating to New York from other states specifically to access housing assistance, while longtime New Yorkers continue to struggle to secure affordable housing.

  The city needs to reevaluate its Right to Shelter law and ensure that housing resources are being distributed fairly, with greater accountability, transparency, and consideration for New Yorkers who have been struggling with housing insecurity for years.

  This is especially concerning because individuals and families residing in shelters are often given priority for many housing opportunities, while hardworking New Yorkers who are struggling to pay rent, facing eviction, or living in overcrowded or unsafe conditions may not receive the same level of consideration. Housing assistance should not only focus on those already in the shelter system but also on preventing individuals and families from becoming homeless in the first place.

  Council Member, I also encourage you to take a look at social media platforms. There are literally individuals using these platforms to promote moving to NYC specifically to access free shelter and housing assistance. These public discussions raise serious questions about how the system is being used, whether adequate oversight exists, and how limited housing resources are being allocated. These concerns deserve to be examined rather than ignored.

  My question to the Council Member is: What specific steps are you taking to address these concerns, and would you support a comprehensive audit of the shelter system and a review of the Right to Shelter law? More importantly, how do you plan to ensure that longtime New Yorkers who are struggling to maintain their housing are given fair access to affordable housing opportunities instead of having to enter the shelter system to receive priority?

  New Yorkers should not have to become homeless before they are considered a priority for housing assistance.

  Comment added October 20, 2026 8:12am

• Angelina Torres

  My name is Angelina Torres, I am a licensed social worker, working with homeless New York men who rely on housing assistance. I appreciate HPD’s efforts to establish the new CHAP program and expedite its launch.

  However, I am concerned about §65-13 (c)(14) and (15), which establish a proposed code of conduct governing CHAP tenants. These rules go beyond what is required for CityFHEPS and are inconsistent with the administration’s goal of protecting and empowering tenants. These tenants, who are already at risk for discrimination, and harassment will inevitably deal with these at an increased level should this code of conduct be put into effect. Please do not punish those who rely on vouchers, as all NYers deserve the same protections.

  Comment added October 20, 2026 11:37am

• Day

  Why is it that these voucher programs are only for people with shelter history or facing eviction? There are plenty of low-income families/individuals that need vouchers. Many people are surviving paycheck to paycheck or getting help here & there just to pay bills. A voucher with more reasonable requirements would benefit many New Yorkers to prevent evictions or having to enter the shelter. I had twins this year, had to leave my job, & ended up getting called for an apartment. I’ve been trying to get help with rental assistance but every program denied me saying I don’t qualify. I’m unemployed with 2 kids and can’t even get a voucher. Before I had kids and tried to get a voucher, they always told me people with kids are first priority. But here I am now with two babies and unemployed & can’t even get help. Rent in NYC is way too high and these buildings being built claim to be affordable but low income residents can’t even get in them because we can’t afford them still. A voucher would help people be able to afford more apartments, since actual affordable/low income apartments aren’t being prioritized.

  Comment added October 21, 2026 7:11pm

• Anonymous

  As a woman living in an affordable housing unit now, please add to the Code of Conduct so that registered sex offenders and applicants with domestic violence convictions are ineligible for these vouchers. Women and children living in affordable housing buildings and/or complexes that accept vouchers deserve safe environments to live and prosper away from violent men.

  Comment added October 22, 2026 2:39am

• Jennie Pascual

  NYC has become unaffordable for working-class families. The cost of living is a real crisis, and hardworking New Yorkers are struggling just to survive. No family should have to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and putting food on the table. We work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to this city, yet many of us are one paycheck away from homelessness. Working families deserve housing stability and a chance to live with dignity.

  Comment added October 22, 2026 10:12am

• Vicki

  Dear Deputy Commissioner Meryl Block Weissman:

  I am writing to exhort you to implement CityHAP as someone who has faced hardship and instability in NYC housing and homelessness over the years. I strive for continued self sufficiency; however, with rising costs, I am currently facing eviction from a rent stabilized apartment. This unfortunate situation has exacerbated my mental health concerns. Implementation and referral of the CityHAP program for those currently in court prior to 2027 would provide the necessary support, safeguard and timely relief to prevent homelessness that too often disproportionately and negatively impacts people living with mental health diagnosis. This is especially important to maintain safe and stable housing at a time when homelessness, rents and poverty in NYC is at an all time high. I also respectively request implementation of safety protocols for recipients of vouchers to ensure women and children are not subjected to harassment in rent stabilized property/voucher approved buildings by management or other residents. Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing my request.

  Comment added October 22, 2026 7:25pm