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Due To Funding Issues, City Cancels 3,000 Section 8 Vouchers
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 18, 2009
Modified Dec 18, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 18, 2009
Modified Dec 18, 2009
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Yesterday, the New York City Housing Authority revoked over 3,000 Section 8 vouchers, citing "Congress, a lower-than-usual attrition rate in the program and unprecedented demand." This means that thousands of families may try to enter the city's already overflowing shelters.
Federal Section 8 vouchers allow poor (and elderly and disabled) tenants to pay just 30% of their incomes towards rents in private apartments, with the government picking up the rest. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was outraged, telling NY1, "[The NYCHA] knew this in May. They didn't let anybody know. People were walking around thinking they have an affordable housing unit, the potential for that, and they don't." But the NYCHA says they waited until the last possible moment, in hopes that funding would be restored.
One man who showed up at a NYCHA office—with a signed lease in hand— to find out his voucher was worth nothing told the News, "They said, 'There's no money.' They wouldn't take the voucher," and added that his 5-year-old son said, "Daddy, what are we going to do? Are we going to have to go back to the shelter again?"
Tagged
federal program
housing voucher
nyc housing authority
rent
section 8
shelter
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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