New York Combats Homelessness By Increasing Rent Subsidies

homeless” by Marc Brüneke licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: NY Times

New York issued a settlement called the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS) that will increase the number of monthly rent subsidies distributed to low-income families living in New York City.

Although most of its homeless population is sheltered, NYC has the largest number of homeless people in the country. There are currently over 60,000 people living in shelters, an increase of roughly of 10,000 since Mayor Bill de Blasio took office.

The FEPS settlement focuses on expanding eligibility for the program to more families, and on increasing the number of subsidies distributed to people who are at risk of losing their homes.

According to a supervising lawyer with the Legal Aid Society, Kenneth R. Stephens, the new settlement will put a “substantial dent” in NYC’s issue of homelessness.

The subsidy increase will go into effect in April.

Read full story at: NY Times

Children & Families, Justice & Poverty, News
Children & Families, Justice & Poverty, News