BILL NUMBER: S7632
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to including house-
holds who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence under the
family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program
 
PURPOSE:
To provide for the eligibility of FHEPS to include households fleeing or
attempting to flee domestic violence.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 131-bb of the social services law by extending
FHEPS eligibility to "households who are fleeing or attempting to flee
domestic violence" in New York City.
Section 2 sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Domestic violence survivors are frequently in danger of losing their
housing if they flee from an abusive living situation. If a survivor
enters a NYC HRA domestic violence emergency shelter, the stay is limit-
ed to 180 days and the survivor must find other housing or risk going
into another shelter, usually one run by the NYC Department of Homeless
Services. Allowing households who are fleeing or attempting to flee
domestic violence to be eligible for FHEPS would provide DV survivors
with the rental assistance needed for ongoing, stable housing.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S7632: 131-bb social services law