Discriminating against tenants who seek to pay rent with a voucher is seen as a loophole for discrimination against protected classes like race or disability.

But in the years since the law changed, such investigations have evolved to include more than fining property management companies for damages for a single complainant. Through settlements, the commission is mandating companies accused of discrimination to set aside apartments in their buildings for people paying rent with vouchers.

Read More

At current payment levels, the CityFHEPS voucher falls close to $500 below fair market rent, leaving thousands of voucher holders competing with each other for the one or two units available on the market at that price range. Often these units are in far-flung neighborhoods or in buildings where the landlord doesn’t keep up with repairs, leaving tenants isolated from their support systems and struggling in apartments that are falling apart.

Read More

Speakers at the rally under Hudson Yards' giant Vessel sculpture took aim at the nearly $6 billion in tax breaks and other public funds that the complex's developers received from the city, saying it would have been better spent increasing the value of housing vouchers given to shelter residents.

The rallygoers' main demand was for the City Council to pass Intro 146, a bill introduced in 2018 and now backed by 41 council members that would raise each voucher up to fair market value, which is set by the federal government.

Read More