What's happening
This bill doubles the maximum monthly rent subsidy for preventive services under social services law from $300 to $600.
Why it matters
Makes it more feasible for families at risk of foster care involvement to secure or keep housing. , since the previous $300 cap was often far below actual market rents—especially in high-cost areas—limiting the subsidy’s usefulness.
May help reduce the number of children placed in or kept in foster care solely due to inadequate housing. , as lack of stable housing is a common reason for removal or delayed reunification, and this higher subsidy could directly address that barrier.
Could lessen the strain on the foster care system and related costs. , since preventing unnecessary foster placements or speeding up reunifications can reduce government expenditures on foster care, legal proceedings, and related services.
Signals a policy shift acknowledging rising housing costs and the need for more meaningful support for low-income families. , potentially prompting further consideration of social service benefit levels in other areas.
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
Increase Rent Subsidies Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to social services
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to social services
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.
Increase Rent Subsidies
In Assembly Committee · Children And Families · Sponsor Andrew Hevesi
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1882
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to increasing the value of rent subsidies to be included as a part of preventive services
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, and shall be considered a special grant. 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 chapter 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 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01197-01-7
S. 1882 2
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, and shall be considered a special grant. 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 on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 the value of rent subsidies to be included as a part of preventive services
Purpose
The purpose of this legislation is to amend Section 409-a of the Social Services law to allow for an increase in rent subsidies for families with a lack of adequate housing that may cause entry of children into foster care, or prevent reunification.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph (c) of subdivision 5 of section 409-a of the social services law, as amended by chapter 339 of the laws of 1993.
Section 2 amends subdivision 7 of section 409-a of the social services law, as added by chapter 83 of the laws of 1995.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
Justification
Foster care has the potential to adversely impact children and families in already difficult situations by increasing stress and straining familial relations. Adequate housing is a central factor in the consideration of whether to remove a child from their family and when to discharge them back to independent living. This rental subsidy is successful at preventing the placement of children into foster care and speeding their discharge, but hasn't been updated in almost 30 years. By increasing the subsidy cap, this initiative will enable more families to obtain adequate housing, avoid foster care, and has the potential to reduce long term fiscal costs for the state.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.