Alexandra Dougherty, Team Leader and Senior Staff Attorney in the Civil Justice Practice, testified before The New York City Council Committee on General Welfare regarding the administration of CityFHEPS.

"Amidst a persistent and escalating affordable housing crisis in New York City, the CityFHEPS program has been presented as the bridge to stable and affordable housing for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. However, despite changes to the program and City Council’s commitment to further improving the program, CityFHEPS vouchers remain incredibly difficult to access and use."

"The Council must do everything in its power to make the CityFHEPS processes as consistent and straightforward as possible. Eliminating the utility allowance, standardizing incentives, and guaranteeing a hold fee for the entire approval process are steps HRA can take right now to make more apartments available and reduce confusion and frustration that erodes trust in the CityFHEPS program."

Read the full testimony here.