Rental Voucher Increase Will Start In September: De Blasio

NEW YORK CITY — Mayor Bill de Blasio approved a raise in the city's rental voucher program on Friday in a move that advocates say will help thousands of New Yorkers afford permanent housing.

The value of rental assistance programs known as CityFHEPS will increase to match federal Section 8 fair market rent levels. Currently, voucher values are aligned with the state's much-lower rental assistance program.

The new CityFHEPS rent levels will take effect for September.

“New York City’s recovery depends on giving every family the tools they need to thrive in their communities. Increasing rental vouchers will help thousands of New Yorkers find stable housing or avoid the shelter system altogether. It’s a transformative change,” de Blasio said in a statement. “New York City is the most compassionate city in America, and these vouchers are an essential step forward for our most vulnerable families.”

There is a moratorium on evictions in New York State until August 31 due to the pandemic.

"With the end of the eviction moratorium looming and thousands of households still residing in shelters, access to meaningful rental assistance will enable thousands of New Yorkers to access permanent housing," said Catherine Trapani, executive director for Homeless Services United, said in a statement.

City Council members approved the increase in May amid fears and criticism that the city's vouchers simply didn't pay enough to keep roofs over families' heads.

Officials also hope to establish an additional structure to provide long-term rental assistance to people moving into permanent housing through non-profit organizations under contract with the city.

The new voucher values are:

• One person — $1,900
• Two people — $1945
• Three to four people — $2,217
• Five to six people — $2,805
• Seven to eight people — $3,006