Broken Promises: The Cost of NYCHA Reneging on its Commitment to Vulnerable New Yorkers

This brief prepared by the Public Advocate’s Office examines the New York City Housing Authority’s December 2009 decision to revoke approximately 2,600 Section 8 vouchers. Since taking office in January 2010, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has received 148 complaints from New Yorkers whose Section 8 vouchers were rescinded by NYCHA, are on the wait list for a Section 8 voucher or who are in need of a Section 8 voucher but cannot get on the wait list due to NYCHA’s voucher waiting list freeze. It would cost the City approximately $25 million to pay for 2,600 Section 8 vouchers, whereas it would cost between $47 and $77 million to pay for the cost of sheltering these same 2,600 individuals and families for nine months. The Public Advocate recommends that the City consider using $25 million of the remaining $73 million allocated to DHS under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to cover the cost of one year of Section 8 vouchers for the 2,600 recipients until New York City Housing Authority is able to distribute vouchers again.