What's happening
This bill increases the monthly rent subsidy for foster youth living independently from $300 to $600 and allows subsidies up to age 24.
Why it matters
Doubling the rent subsidy to $600/month could make a significant difference for young people aging out of foster care, who often struggle with New York’s high housing costs and are at higher risk of homelessness.
Extending eligibility for the subsidy up to age 24 recognizes that many young adults need continued support as they transition to independence, especially given the challenges in securing stable housing and employment.
The bill explicitly allows recipients to use the subsidy while living with roommates, increasing flexibility and making it easier to find affordable housing arrangements in expensive rental markets.
By making it clearer that rent support is available for both preventing foster care entry and aiding those leaving foster care, the bill could help reduce family separations due to housing instability and promote better long-term outcomes for vulnerable youth.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Double Foster Youth Rent Aid
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to children and families
- Referred to children and families
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Double Foster Youth Rent Help
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Tony Avella
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
259
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to increasing from $300 a month to $600 a month the rent subsidy payable to a foster child living independently
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 5 of section 409-a of the social services law, as amended by chapter 339 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a social services official determines that a lack of adequate housing is the primary factor preventing the discharge of a child or children from foster care including, but not limited to, children with the goal of discharge to independent living, preventive services shall include, in addition to any other payments or benefits received by the family, special cash grants in the form of rent subsidies, including rent arrears, or any other assistance, sufficient to obtain adequate housing. Such rent subsidies or assistance shall not exceed the sum of [three] six hundred dollars per month, shall not be provided for a period of more than three years, may be provided up to age twenty-four for youth discharged from foster care, and shall be considered a special grant. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the ability of those using the rent subsidy to live with roommates. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit such official's authority to provide other preventive services.
§ 2. Subdivision 7 of section 409-a of the social services law, as added by section 83 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a social services official determines that a lack of adequate housing is a factor that may cause the entry of a child or children into foster care and the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00964-02-7
A. 259 2
family has at least one service need other than lack of adequate housing, preventive services may include, in addition to any other payments or benefits received by the family, special cash grants in the form of rent subsidies, including rent arrears, or any other assistance, sufficient to obtain adequate housing. Such rent subsidies or assistance shall not exceed the sum of [three] six hundred dollars per month, shall not be provided for a period of more than three years, may be provided up to age twenty-four for youth discharged from foster care, and shall be considered a special grant. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to limit the ability of those using the rent subsidy to live with roommates. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit such official's authority to provide other preventive services.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.