New York City Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement rental program.
Residents who are facing eviction and that are struggling with paying their rent may be able to receive help from the NYC Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement, or FHEPS. The program was created in order to provide financial support to individuals or families who are currently receiving public assistance. Find how to get help from FHEPS in New York City.
Qualified low income residents, single people, immigrants or parents can receive help with paying an arrears on their account as well as rental assistance on a go forward basis. The funds from the program are for people who currently receive cash assistance (TANF) in New York City, including Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, State Island or the Bronx.
FHEPS helps pay rent of people on cash assistance
There goal is to help very low-income families, as well as those in poverty, who are facing homelessness. There may be many reasons for this such as a job loss, a decrease of affordable housing in NYC along with a steady increase in housing costs, a family health crisis resulting in unexpected bills, or the reduction of federal government. FHEPS will also help pay the rent of families who lost city and state housing vouchers.
The program is known as FHEPS for short and was created by the Human Resources Administration. It is funded by both the state government as well as New York City. The focus is on supporting people who are in danger of being evicted and losing their home due to unpaid rent. Funds are also for currently homeless people who need a place to live in NYC.
It was created as a form of short term stabilization and will provide individuals additional time to gain self-sufficiency. The rent help from Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement is combined with other support, including cash assistance (CA) for paying other bills. Some of the conditions of the program are below.
- Qualified candidates will receive thousands of dollars to pay their back rent as part of Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement. Any assistance paid out is on a one time basis only.
- A free monthly voucher/housing supplement will be provided to pay housing costs going forward. This can last for up to five years.
- There is also help in finding an affordable apartment to live in, including homes with no waiting lists. Locate apartments with no waiting list.
Applying for Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement program
A number of qualifications need to be met by applicants in order to get FHEPS rent payment help. All resources are limited and unfortunately not everyone will be able to qualify for help.
- The family needs to have at least one child under 18 years old living with them, and that child needs to be in school. FHEPS can also help single moms or dads in the NYC boroughs.
- This program is only for people on public assistance, namely who receive government cash.
- The applicant needs to either live in a rent-regulated apartment or have a one year lease on their current unit.
- They need to both owe back rent and have been sued by their landlord, with a focus on tenants facing eviction.
- The families monthly rent expense needs to be greater than grants and cash paid by state or federal government Public Assistance program.
After applying, the office will submit the application for the NYC Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement to the state of New York as well as city. They will then need to determine eligibility. Many agencies in New York city, state and court system partner together to ensure applicant's get the attention and help they need when applying.
If you are found to be qualified then the Human Resources Administration will pay any back rent due directly to the landlord or property owner, up to the maximum allowed per terms. Case managers will then meet with you on the go forward plan as well in order to set up the monthly rent supplement payments. Also keep in mind restrictions on moving and other landlord/tenant issues around safety of the apartment. When applying the process takes up to 30 days so please plan accordingly.
Also, representatives from the FHEPS program will try to work with Public Assistance to increase the clients shelter allowance. This additional government support will ideally help them afford their rent expense going forward. Legal Aid may also be able to help with any housing court case and guide applicants through the process.
Phone number to apply
There is a formal application process in place for the supplement. You can either dial Legal Aid (see phone numbers below) or call a social service office in New York City. The legal aid offices to apply for help from Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement are as follows.
- Bronx – Call 718-991-4758
- Upper Manhattan including Harlem – Phone for FHEPS applications is 212-426-3000
- Lower Manhattan: 212-577-3300
- Brooklyn: 718-722-3100
- Queens – Telephone number is 718-286-2450
- Staten Island: Dial 718-273-6677 or (347) 422-5333
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