Press Release: A New Report From CSS: What New Yorkers’ Experiences Tell Us About Improving CityFHEPS

Press Release

A New Report From CSS: What New Yorkers' Experiences Tell Us About Improving CityFHEPS

CityFHEPS Is Highly Valued, But Source-of-Income Discrimination and Administrative Burdens Remain Obstacles

Findings from a new Community Service Society of New York (CSS) brief analyzing New Yorkers' experience using CityFHEPS-the city's primary rental assistance program-offer valuable insights on where the program is working well, areas where voucher-holders encounter barriers, and opportunities to strengthen the program in achieving its main objective: keeping New Yorkers housed and reducing homelessness.

The brief, `Faster Processing and Clearer Communications': What New Yorkers' Experiences Tell Us About Improving CityFHEPS, draws on data from a survey of 2,000 New Yorkers who had applied for public benefits in the past three years, including 727 who applied for or renewed CityFHEPS and 550 who had been determined eligible for the program. More than 64,000 households currently receive CityFHEPS vouchers. Most participants qualify for the subsidy while staying in a Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter, while approximately one in five receives the subsidy as an eviction prevention measure.

Overall, survey respondents reported positive experiences accessing their CityFHEPS benefits, while also identifying opportunities to simplify the application and renewal process. And while the findings suggest that respondents generally understand the program and its requirements, the CSS brief shows where relatively practical administrative changes could help more New Yorkers successfully use the benefit and stay housed.

"Placing struggling families in the shelter system is not only expensive, but traumatic," said Council Member Sandy Nurse. "CityFHEPS has kept thousands of New Yorkers in their homes and helped many more transition out of the shelter system and into stable housing. I'm thankful for the Community Service Society's brief, which reaffirms what we all know by now: CityFHEPS is a lifeline for recipients and we need to cut the red tape holding it back."

"CityFHEPS is a transformative program that moves many New Yorkers out of shelters into safe, affordable homes, and helps New Yorkers at risk of eviction stay housed," said David R. Jones, President and CEO of Community Service Society of New York. "By addressing persistent administrative hurdles and enforcing housing discrimination laws, the city can make the program more efficient and keep more vulnerable families out of the city shelter system."

"Our findings demonstrate that CityFHEPS is an effective program for keeping people safely housed when they can access it and use it," said Yvonne Peña, CSS Public Benefits and Housing Policy Analyst and report co-author. "But applicants continue to face administrative barriers, illegal housing discrimination, and payment delays that put them at risk. These are fixable problems that should be addressed to help families in vulnerable situations move into a place they can call home or avoid eviction and entering the shelter system."

This week, the New York City Council's General Welfare Committee will hold hearings on four CityFHEPS-related bills. Some of the proposed legislation takes aim at issues raised in the survey responses, including addressing administrative delays and payment problems that result in avoidable housing loss. The CSS brief was co-authored by Yvonne Peña and Rachel Swaner, CSS Vice President of Policy, Research and Advocacy.

Key Findings

CityFHEPS is highly valued by recipients

Among eligible respondents, 93 percent said the value of CityFHEPS was worth the effort required to apply for and maintain it. More than one-quarter of respondents, when asked what they would change, said they would change nothing or offered positive feedback about the program.

"I think CityFHEPS is amazing and it saves lives." - Study participant

The application process generally works, but unnecessary administrative burdens remain.

Most respondents-about eight in ten-found instructions clear, found it easy to gather documents, and knew their application or renewal went through. At the same time, 53 percent had to submit the same documents more than once, 49 percent felt stressed or overwhelmed, and 44 percent said the process took a long time.

"It takes over a month to just get a call back; by that time people are getting evicted." - Study participant

Housing discrimination is a major obstacle to using the housing subsidy.

76 percent reported some form of source-of-income discrimination. Among those who experienced discrimination, 52 percent had their shopping letter expire before finding an apartment, compared with just 7 percent of those who did not experience discrimination.

"CityFHEPS would definitely work better if all landlords actually stuck to the law and accepted rental assistance vouchers." - Study participant

When CityFHEPS payments are interrupted, the consequences can be severe.

One-quarter reported that their assistance had stopped at some point despite believing they remained eligible. Among those experiencing an interruption, 83 percent accumulated rent arrears, 65 percent were taken to housing court, and 56 percent were ultimately evicted.

"The payout process must be shortened. I signed my lease and payments were not sent to the landlord until 4 months later. I almost lost the apartment." - Study participant

Key Recommendations

Make CityFHEPS easier to access and maintain.

Simplify applications and renewals, reduce duplicative document submission, improve case tracking, and make eligibility determinations easier to understand.

Make it easier to successfully use the voucher.

Strengthen enforcement against source-of-income discrimination and extend CityFHEPS shopping letters to at least six months.

Prevent administrative payment problems from putting stable housing at risk

Reduce payment delays; improve tools for identifying and resolving payment problems; and strengthen coordination among DSS/HRA, Housing Court, and eviction prevention programs.

CityFHEPS works. These survey results further reinforce the critical role the program plays in mitigating the city's housing crisis. Taken together with our previous finding that 95 percent of recipients credited CityFHEPS with helping them remain stably housed, we urge policymakers to consider both legislative and programmatic modifications that can ensure that the program continues to assist vulnerable New Yorkers with their housing needs.

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The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment opportunities, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. Join us at www.cssny.org.

Issues Covered

Affordable Housing

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