In recent years, homelessness in New York City has reached the highest level since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

In March 2024, 146,547 people slept each night in NYC shelters. Thousands more (there is no reliable number, as the annual HOPE estimate is deeply flawed) slept unsheltered in public spaces, and more than 200,000 people slept temporarily doubled-up in the homes of others. Thus, it can be estimated that more than 350,000 people were without homes in NYC in March 2024.

In March 2024, 69 percent of those in shelters were members of homeless families, including 48,304 children. That month, 46,065 single adults slept in shelters that month. Forty-four percent of those in shelters, or 64,453 individuals, were New Arrivals.*

(Coalition for the Homeless)

Lawmakers should work with property owners, tenant groups, social service organizations, religious organizations, and tens of thousands of renters to pass the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), a state-funded voucher designed to work like the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).

Many of those who would be eligible for HAVP live in rent-stabilized buildings. Our members see tenants’ struggles firsthand, even with rents that average $1,300. They report that about one quarter of all renters in low-income neighborhoods fall behind in their rent at least once a year.

Tenants, Dozens of Lawmakers, Housing Groups, Property Managers and more.

One of the reasons HAVP hasn’t passed yet, despite widespread support across the spectrum of housing and tenant advocates, is allegedly the cost. But considering the massive amount of money the state and city are already paying for social services to deal with the impacts of homelessness and the rising costs of vouchers that HAVP could eventually replace, it is actually a sound investment.

Not only would HAVP prevent evictions, but it would make good economic sense. Nearly every cent spent on a housing voucher makes its way back into the government’s coffers via property tax, regulatory fees, utilities, and local economic activity. It’s the best investment a government can make in its people.

There is still so much to be done to fix housing policy in New York. Let’s start by passing the Housing Access Voucher Program before the end of the session and provide some affordability to renters, now.