What's happening
This bill doubles the monthly rent subsidy for foster youth living independently from $300 to $600 and allows subsidies up to age 24.
Why it matters
Helps address housing insecurity for foster youth aging out of care. , who often struggle to afford rent on their own, by making the subsidy more responsive to actual rental market costs.
Extends support for older foster youth up to age 24. , recognizing that many young adults, especially those with a foster care background, may still need financial help to secure stable housing as they transition into independence.
Explicitly allows rent subsidies to be used when living with roommates. , increasing flexibility and potentially making it easier for youth to afford safer or higher-quality housing in areas with high rent.
Aims to prevent both homelessness and unnecessary foster care placements. by making it easier for families and young adults to secure or maintain adequate housing, which can have positive long-term impacts on stability, employment, and overall well-being.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Double Foster Youth Rent Help
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to children and families
- Reported and committed to finance
- 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 Aid
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Andrew Hevesi
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1291
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sens. AVELLA, PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00964-02-7
S. 1291 2
that may cause the entry of a child or children into foster care and the 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to increase the housing subsidy from a maximum of $300 a month to $600 month for foster youth who are leaving care.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 5, paragraph (c) of section 409-a of the social services law to increase from $300 a month to $600 a month, the maximum rent subsidy or assistance for foster care youth who are leaving care. The subsidy is allowed when 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.
Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.
Justification
This housing subsidy has not been increased in more than 20 years, during which time rents throughout New York City and the State have increased many times over. The public housing for which foster youth and their families qualify is severely limited and is shrinking, and there are not enough supportive housing units.
Prior legislative history
2015-16 S.1615 (Avella)
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.