Establishes the community development financial institution disability housing program within the New York state urban development corporation

BILL NUMBER:S4047

Title of bill

An act to amend the New York state urban development corporation act, in relation to establishing a community development financial institution disability housing program

Purpose of bill

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to conduct a homelessness study.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill directs the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will conduct a homelessness study. The study will include, but not be limited to:

* The current shelter allowance and eviction prevention supplements, in light of increasing costs for housing;

* If the fuel and utilities is contributing to evictions, overcrowding and homelessness;

* If fuel and utilities is constraining the ability of the private sector to provide safe and affordable housing to low-income New Yorkers;

* If the requirement that a family is sued for eviction before they can access a rent supplement program is reasonable considering that it imposes litigation costs on landlords who are providing affordable hous- ing, increases state and local costs for court administration leaves tenants with negative credit that may inhibit their ability to find employment and secure housing in the near and future, and limits the program to others in need including those who are forced to move because of domestic violence.

* If the fuel and utilities is constraining the ability of public hous- ing authorities to maintain the condition and safety of their buildings;

* If the shelter allowance should be correlated to the HUD Fair Market Rent levels which are updated annually and based on real housing cost data;

Section 2 requires that by June 30, 2016, the office will provide a report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, temporary president of the senate, the minority leaders of the senate and assembly and the chairs of the social services committees in the senate and assembly.

Section 3 is the effective date

Justification

This legislation is critical to know the true picture of homelessness across New York State for the Legislature and the Governor to make decisions based on the most accurate information possible to make sure that children's and families have a place to call home. Furthermore, the increasing number of low-income New Yorkers facing the

possible loss of their housing and the challenges of moving families from homeless shelters into stable housing are greater than ever, this legislation will give us a true picture of that and give us the tools necessary to act.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Effective date

This bill will take effect immediately.