BILL NUMBER: S72 Revised 1/23/2025
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to establishing the
housing access voucher program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide housing assistance to the homeless and those facing an immi-
nent risk of homelessness.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill creates the Housing Access Voucher Program, which provides
rental assistance in the form of vouchers to individuals who are home-
less or who face an imminent risk of losing their homes. The Housing
Trust Fund Corporation will oversee this Program, and State and local
public housing agencies will administer the program.
Section 1 of the bill amends the Public Housing Law by adding a new
Article 14-A to be known as the "Housing Access Voucher Program."
§ 605 of the new article sets out legislative findings. § 606 of the new
article prescribes definitions.
§ 607 of the new article creates the Housing Access Voucher Program
under the Housing Trust Fund Corporation.
§ 608 of the new article defines eligibility for the Housing Access
Voucher Program.
§ 609 of the new article outlines how funds are distributed within the
program by county or the City of New York and how they are allocated
among participants in the program based on income.
§ 610 of the new article determines the amount of payment of rental
assistance to the landlord.
§ 611 of the new article promulgates the requirements of leases between
the tenant participant in the program and landlord.
§ 612 of the new article defines the tenant participant's rental obli-
gation in the program.
§ 613 of the new article establishes the requirements of rental assist-
ance payments between the landlord and local administer.
§ 614 of the new article requires and sets the standards for the
inspection of homes in the program by the local administer.
§ 615 of the new article outlines the standards for rent under this
program.
§ 616 of the new article describes what happens to homes when no longer
occupied by a participant receiving rental assistance under this
program.
§ 617 of the new article sets different rules for inspections and rent
negotiations when the home to be included under this program is owned by
a local administer
§ 618 of the new article establishes frequency and guidelines for veri-
fying a participant's income.
§ 619 of the new article sets out standards for determining who keeps
the rental assistance voucher upon the dissolution of a family partic-
ipating in the program.
§ 620 of the new article requires localities maintain current programs
and expenditures in place that assist the homeless or those facing immi-
nent risk of homelessness.
§ 621 of the new article provides that the vouchers are portable
throughout New York state.
§ 622 of the new article requires all housing used in this program
comply with applicable local and state health, housing, building and
safety codes.
§ 623 declares that this program shall promote housing choice and affir-
matively further fair housing.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Far too many New Yorkers experience homelessness, and the consequences
of housing instability for individuals, families, and society as a whole
are far-reaching.
There are many factors that contribute to this reality, but inadequate
resources to ensure that homeless individuals and families are able to
secure permanent housing - and that those facing imminent loss of hous-
ing can avoid displacement - is a fundamental cause of homelessness.
We must commit ourselves to ensuring that no New Yorker is denied access
to safe, long-term housing because of a lack of financial resources. The
Housing Access Voucher Program will enable individuals and families to
transition out of shelters or unsustainable housing situations into
stable housing. It will also enable local housing agencies to avert
evictions for non-payment of rent and other causes of displacement.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S568B (Kavanagh) - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE /A4021 Rosen-
thal L referred to ways and means
2023: S568B (Kavanagh) - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE /A4021A
Rosenthal L - reported referred to ways and means
2022: S2804B (Kavanagh) - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE /A3701B
(Cymbrowitz) - reported referred to ways and means
2021: S2804B (Kavanagh) - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE /A3701B
(Cymbrowitz) - referred to housing
2020: S7628A (Kavanagh) - REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNI-
TY DEVELOPMENT /A9657A - referred to housing
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The fiscal implications to the State would be subject to the amounts
appropriated for the program through the State budget process. The
program would probably reduce costs currently borne by localities, for
shelter and other services they currently provide to homeless individ-
uals and families.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule, regulation, plan or guidance document necessary for
the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to
be made and completed on or before such effective date; provided further
that any rule, regulation, plan or guidance document shall apply only to
those counties located outside of the city of New York. The New York
city department of housing preservation and development and the New York
city housing authority, as applicable, shall promulgate or release
rules, regulations, plans or guidance documents as necessary for the
implementation of this act within the city of New York.