Housing Stability Plus (HSP) The Nation’s Largest Local Rental Subsidy Program for the Homeless The City of New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs Department of Homeless Services Robert Hess, Commissioner

Prior to HSP: EARP/Section 8 Landlord advantages Bonuses: $2,000 for a family of 2; $10,000 for a family of 8 Payments continued if clients fell off Public Assistance (PA) Payments linked to room size Client advantages Shelter clients received priority Transferable to other states Vouchers did not expire No new EARP/Section 8 vouchers

Designing a New Program In line with Mayor Bloomberg’s 5-Year Homelessness Reduction Plan “Uniting for Solutions Beyond Shelter” Minimize incentive for shelter entry, but maximize program for truly needy Encourage gradual client self-sufficiency Specific factors to consider Funding Length of stay (LOS) for eligibility Payment amounts Time limits

Housing Stability Plus Serves 3 populations Families with children Adult families Singles Nation’s largest local rent subsidy Over $50 million spent between December ‘04 and June ‘06

Basic Structure Maximum Rent = PA Shelter Allowance + HSP Supplement HSP Supplement decreases 20% for 5 years to encourage independence Rent supplement based on number of family members on PA PA Shelter Allowance does not decrease automatically

Basic Structure Landlord Payments 3 months advance rent Current month’s rent prorated 1 month security 15% broker’s fee

Eligibility Criteria At least one family member on PA Meet LOS requirements Families with children: 90 consecutive days Domestic Violence families: 42 days Six or more family members: Immediate Adult Families: 270 days (within 1 year) Singles: 270 days (within 1 year) DHS automatically evaluates eligibility and notifies client

Apartment Criteria DHS inspects for required repairs DHS reviews NYC databases for lead paint violations, vacate orders, and/or illegal creation or apartment conversion Repairs must be made prior to lease signing Landlord registers Apartment with DHS Minor repairs completed; Landlord attestation Lease signing No repairs needed Major repairs completed; Re-inspection

Success to date 7,416 HSP leases signed between December ‘04 and June ‘06 6,760 Families with children 224 Adult families 432 Single adults

Immediate Program Evaluation HSP Workgroup: DHS, clients and providers Working families are ineligible Family member status can reduce supplement 20% HSP decrease per year Landlords not paid when clients fall off PA Is Length of Stay appropriate?

Overcoming Client Challenges All families are eligible to apply for PA “one-shot deal” that covers 1 month’s rent, 1 month’s security, moving expenses, and furniture allowance HSP-ineligible families with income may receive additional 2 months’ rent from Human Resources Administration if lease signed July 15 th – August 15 th HSP eligibility for all families with children in shelter as of June 1 st Negotiating with other agencies to expand funding for working families

Overcoming Landlord Challenges $1,000 bonus for landlords for each apartment leased in July Exploring aftercare enhancement to address PA issues before they become a problem

Thank you!!! Barbara Ruth Rosenberg Assistant Commissioner Planning and Administration NYC Department of Homeless Services Family Services Division