Making CityFHEPS A More Effective Tool

Too few homeless families are able to use New York City’s rental voucher (CityFHEPS) to leave shelter. And those who use the voucher spend more months than necessary in shelter searching for one of the few apartment vacancies that meet the program’s limited rent requirements. Alarmingly, after months in shelter attempting to move out using their CityFHEPS voucher, some families ultimately choose other options for exiting shelter that leave them at high risk for returning. These circumstances exacerbate the homelessness crisis, increase shelter costs, and exact a toll on the well-being of families. Win is calling on New York City’s elected leaders to support Intro. No. 146, a bill currently pending in the City Council that would increase the CityFHEPS allowable rents to the Fair Market Rent.