June 1, 2026

New Destiny Housing strongly supports the legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Rosenthal (A10992) and Senator Kavanagh (S9430A), which would expand eligibility for the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) pilot to New Yorkers losing their federal rental subsidy, among other important protections.

A crisis is unfolding for thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers housed with NYCHA-administered Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs). This bill would make EHV participants eligible for HAVP — and is the fastest path to keeping these families housed.

The federal EHV program, created in 2021, provides rental assistance to survivors of domestic violence, runaway and homeless youth, and other high-risk households. Although originally funded through 2030, the administration has announced that funding has run out, placing 50,000 households nationwide at risk of losing their homes.

In New York City alone, NYCHA administers 5,200 EHVs — on which 1,144 domestic violence survivors and 600 runaway and homeless youth rely. The only solution NYCHA has offered — applying for public housing or transferring within its portfolio — is not viable. With a waitlist of 182,000 applicants, many families could wait years. Without action, thousands face displacement to shelters, to the streets, or, for domestic violence survivors, back into life-threatening situations.

This bill clarifies that households who are at risk of homelessness because they are losing access to their federal subsidy should be prioritized for HAVP to the same degree as households currently experiencing homelessness and enables program administrators to inspect participating apartments in a manner consistent with State standards.

If A10992/S9430A is passed and implemented, these families will have a viable housing option when the EHV program ends. We urge you to act before families are forced from their homes and we stand ready to work with your office toward a solution.

If S9430A is passed and implemented, these families will have another option when the EHV program ends. We urge you to act before families are forced from their homes.

About New Destiny

New Destiny’s mission is to end the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness for low-income families and individuals by developing and connecting them to safe, permanent, affordable housing and services.

Thirty years ago, New Destiny was founded on the understanding that shelter alone cannot put an end to this cycle and has remained steadfast in its focus on permanent housing as the solution for families fleeing abuse with nowhere safe to go.

New Destiny builds and manages permanent supportive housing for survivors; helps survivors find safe affordable apartments throughout the city and provides them with the aftercare support they need to remain housed and thrive; and is a leading advocate in the effort to end family homelessness in New York.

For more information, contact Gabriela Sandoval Requena, VP of External Affairs, at gsrequena@newdestinyhousing.org.