Comptroller Report Highlights Serious Flaws With City FHEPs Program

Reforming the Program is Vital to Combatting Homelessness

(New York, NY) – New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released an audit of the New York City Department of Social Services and its administration of the City FHEPs voucher program. The report found that a lack of affordable housing and weak monitoring and oversight have led to significant delays in families being able to obtain permanent housing. 

“Lack of supply is the number one reason why homelessness persists in this city, but the second biggest reason is the overly complex voucher system and its failure to be managed. We want to work in tandem with NYC to help solve the homeless crisis. To do this, we need a better system that works for voucher holders and housing providers,” said New York Apartment Association CEO Kenny Burgos.

The report highlights many complaints NYAA members have made, including the inability to process an application in a timely manner, an inefficient inspection process, and failure to reauthorize vouchers in a timely manner. It concluded that it takes an average of 10 months for a voucher holder to find permanent housing.  One of the main reasons was the failure of DSS subcontractors to conduct in-person inspections of apartments that would have been eligible for voucher holders. 

NYAA has been working with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to improve voucher efficiency and to find additional housing supply. We also support all efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing, including the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal before the City Council. 

“We know that leadership at DSS is committed to improving the FHEPs program. We remain optimistic that their efforts will lead to a better system for both voucher holders and housing providers,” Burgos said. 

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The New York Apartment Association (NYAA) is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization that represents a diverse coalition of apartment building owners and managers who provide the majority of affordable multi-family housing in the state of New York. To put it simply, we are Housing New York. NYAA was formed through the merging of two organizations that historically represented rent-stabilized building owners: The Rent Stabilization Association (RSA) and the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). The official NYAA website is HousingNY.Org. @HousingNY on X; @HousingNY on Instagram; @HousingNY on Youtube, and @HousingNY on TikTok.