File #: Res 0171-2014    Version: * Name: NYCHA to stop charging tenants a debit card convenience fee when a rent payment is made using a debit card.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Public Housing
On agenda: 4/10/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to stop charging tenants a debit card convenience fee when a rent payment is made using a debit card.
Sponsors: James G. Van Bramer, Ritchie J. Torres, Margaret S. Chin, Costa G. Constantinides, Mark Levine, Rosie Mendez, Donovan J. Richards, Deborah L. Rose, Vincent J. Gentile
Council Member Sponsors: 9
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2017*James G. Van Bramer City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/10/2014*James G. Van Bramer City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/10/2014*James G. Van Bramer City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 171

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to stop charging tenants a debit card convenience fee when a rent payment is made using a debit card.

 

By Council Members Van Bramer, Torres, Chin, Constantinides, Levine, Mendez, Richards, Rose and Gentile

 

Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) is a public housing authority with 334 developments, 2,596 buildings, and 178,914 public housing units, making it the largest public housing provider in North America; and

Whereas, NYCHA currently serves 176,221 families and 403,736 residents; and

Whereas, Of those families, 47.5 percent are working families, 11.1 percent are on public assistance and 41.4 percent are on fixed incomes, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, a pension or Veteran’s benefits; and

Whereas, According to NYCHA, the average household income for families living in public housing is $22,994;

Whereas, According to the United States Census Bureau, the median household income for New York City is $51,865; and

Whereas, NYCHA residents pay an average monthly rent of $436; and

Whereas, Rent can be paid by phone, mail, e-payment on NYCHA’s website or in person at a payment center; and

Whereas, Residents who elect to pay rent using a debit card are charged a convenience fee by NYCHA’s payment processing vendor; and

Whereas, According to NYCHA, the amount of the convenience fee charged depends upon the amount of residents’ monthly rent; and

Whereas, In light of the extent of NYCHA residents living on fixed incomes and the amount of low- and very low-income households, NYCHA residents should not be charged a convenience fee when electing to pay their rent using a debit card; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Housing Authority to stop charging tenants a debit card convenience fee when a rent payment is made using a debit card.

 

GP

Res 724/2011

LS 1025/2014

3/18/2014