What's happening
This bill clarifies that individuals receiving rent subsidies under social services law may use them while living with roommates.
Why it matters
Expands housing options for subsidy recipients. By explicitly allowing rent subsidies to be used by individuals living with roommates, the bill enables recipients to access shared living situations, which may be more affordable or accessible in high-rent areas.
Promotes stability for families and youth in transition. The change may help prevent homelessness or prolonged stays in foster care by making it easier for individuals or families to secure adequate housing, especially in cases where independent housing is not feasible.
Removes administrative ambiguity. Clarifying that subsidies can be used with roommates helps ensure consistent application across social services jurisdictions and reduces the risk that local officials might deny subsidies based on living arrangements.
Potential cost savings. Allowing shared housing arrangements could stretch limited subsidy dollars further, potentially enabling more people to benefit from preventive housing assistance without increasing the maximum subsidy amount.
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
Allow Rent Aid for Roommates
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.624
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 57–1
- 3rd reading cal.1008
- Substituted for S4339
- Referred to social services
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.136
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
Show 1 earlier action
- 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.
Allow Rent Help for Roommates
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Julia Salazar
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4258
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2019
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 providing rent subsidies to individuals living with roommates
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 hundred dollars per month, shall not be provided for a period of more than three years, and shall be considered a special grant. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the ability of those using such 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 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01054-01-9
A. 4258 2
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 hundred dollars per month, shall not be provided for a period of more than three years, and shall be considered a special grant. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to limit the ability of those using such 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.