The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) held a virtual meeting on July 12 to discuss the progress of the Emergency Housing Voucher program (EHV) designed for public housing residents at risk of becoming homeless due to unpaid rent.
According to HUD press officials, "The two PHAs have cumulatively issued almost 7,000 EHVs as a result. NYCHA has 95% of EHVs in use (leased or currently issued), and HPD has 74% in use."
EHVs are administered by two Public Housing Authorities-- the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
HUD press officials added that the agency worked closely with NYCHA and HPD to make sure that applicants were guided through the system properly. To be eligible for EHVs, applicants must be in one of three categories.
First, they must either be, or at risk of being, homeless. Second, they must either be fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. Lastly, applicants must either be recently homeless and at a high risk of housing instability.
Once applicants are in one of these categories, these are the next steps.
First, applicants complete an initial screening with a caseworker or housing navigator. Next, they complete the Coordinated Assessment Survey (CAS), through the Coordinated Assessment and Placement System (CAPS).
Then, the EHV program administration further reviews applicants. Last, applicants are identified for referral are contacted by their caseworker or housing navigator for details on next steps.
Those who want to apply for the EHV program in NYC can find more details and resources here.
