State Budget Must Include The Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP)
NYAA Advocates For Voucher Expansion
(New York, NY) – The New York Apartment Association is calling for the inclusion of the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) in this year’s state budget. The bill, (S72/A1704) would direct the state to set up a new voucher system similar to federal Section 8 that could be available to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are facing homelessness, depending on the amount of funding the State includes.
“Vouchers are a vital part of the housing ecosystem. And make no mistake, they are at risk from federal government cuts and New York City’s budget constraints. This is why the state must include HAVP with a robust investment to fill potential gaps,” said Jay Martin, NYAA Executive Vice President.
Last year we received feedback from more than 1,800 New Yorkers via email and text message voicing support for passage of HAVP and the expansion of vouchers.
A father wrote to us looking for help for his daughter, who is a single mom raising six children. He said a voucher like HAVP or a Housing Choice Voucher would be life-changing for their family.
A veteran who has a job and a current home is scared they won’t be able to keep up with their rent payments. HAVP would cap the amount this person pays in rent at 30% of their income, and the government would cover the rest, giving them peace of mind.
An elderly woman who relies on her son to take care of her is renting a bedroom in a three-family home with eight other people. The overcrowded situation is detrimental to her health. An HAVP voucher would allow her to move into a small studio or one-bedroom that would better suit her needs.
“It is clear that the people want an expansion of vouchers to make their lives more affordable. Supporting renters also helps apartment building owners who rely on steady income to cover growing expenses. Thousands of rent-stabilized buildings are currently in distress, even with the support of vouchers. Without them, they would fail overnight,” said Martin.