Res. No. 465

Resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to include an admission preference for public housing in its next proposed agency plan for all veterans of the U.S. military.

By Council Members Ariola, Brooks-Powers and Carr

Whereas, The veterans of the U.S. military have served the U.S. and deserve support upon their return to civilian life; and

Whereas, According to a report published in 2023 by the Office of the New York State Comptroller citing data compiled by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as of 2022 there were approximately 500 homeless veterans in New York City alone, highlighting the need for supportive housing measures in New York City for veterans; and

Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), a public development corporation responsible for providing public housing in New York City, is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 528,105 residents across New York City’s five boroughs; and

Whereas, Pursuant to section 156 of the Public Housing Law of New York State and federal regulations outlined in section 960.206 of title 24 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, NYCHA has the capability to establish admission preferences and specific priorities to address the needs of certain populations; and

Whereas, Populations currently receiving specific priority in NYCHA public housing admissions include victims of domestic violence, working families, and intimidated witnesses, among others; and

Whereas, Such preferences and priorities are determined based on local housing needs through a process mandated by section 1437c-1 of title 42 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, involving inclusion of such preferences and priorities in NYCHA’s annual plan that is subject to a period of public comment, consultation between NYCHA and its resident advisory board, and submission to and approval by HUD; and

Whereas, Veterans do not receive admission preference or specific priority in public housing under NYCHA, a point evidenced by Attachment A to the NYCHA Final Annual Agency Plan for Fiscal Year 2024, in which the “other preferences” section under the “(C)(1)(A)(4) Admission Preferences” subheading includes an entry for “veterans and veterans’ families” but the corresponding box remains unchecked; and

Whereas, According to the NYCHA Final Annual Agency Plan for Fiscal Year 2024, NYCHA has an allocation from HUD of 3,385 Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers intended to provide financial rental assistance to homeless veterans, but such assistance is separate and distinct from an admission preference for public housing; and

Whereas, The Council has historically advocated for the inclusion of admission preferences for veterans within NYCHA’s policies, expressly calling for a preference for veterans with a military service-connected disability in the years 2004, 2006, and 2010, yet NYCHA still does not have an admission preference for veterans; and

Whereas, Establishing an admission preference for veterans within NYCHA’s policies would directly respond to the significant challenge of veteran homelessness in New York City, providing essential support to those in need of affordable housing; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Housing Authority to include an admission preference for public housing in its next proposed agency plan for all veterans of the U.S. military.

JL

LS #16150

3/14/2024 11:37 AM