Being homeless sucks. That said, whatever has brought you here to this shelter or transitional program, this housing section is designed to both educate you on the different programs but to also provide a few of the resources I have crossed paths within the last year. You are going to need all the documentation you can get BEFORE committing to the process of obtaining sustainable housing. If you have a DD214, be sure to get a New York State ID unless you own a car whereas you will want to get a driver's license. If you don’t have your DD214. The VA is supposed to help with that, but don’t count on it.
Housing Programs
Sustainable and Supportive Housing
Eviction Prevention - Vacating as a Last Resort
Leaving the apartment should be the last resort. Once the resident has vacated, the chances of re-entering are little to none. Contact the legal organizations listed in this guide. Losing an apartment is easy. Getting back into one is a nightmare.
As the NY State Eviction Moratorium comes to a close on January 15th, NYC is launching a campaign to inform tenants about their rights and connect them to critical resources. Most importantly, we want every New Yorker to know three things:
1. Lockouts (also known as unlawful evictions or self-help evictions) are illegal. All tenants (including those in private residential programs) have the right to stay in their home unless they choose to leave or are evicted through a court process.
2. Under New York City's Right-to-Counsel (RTC) law, legal services are free, available in every ZIP code, and available regardless of immigration status. DSS/HRA's Office of Criminal Justice (OCJ) ensures tenants facing eviction in Housing Court or NYCHA administrative proceedings have access to free legal representation and advice, provided by nonprofit legal services organizations from across the five boroughs.
3. We urge all New Yorkers in need of rent relief to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) web portal, as a pending application will provide temporary protection from eviction.
Eviction Proceedings
Non-payment
The only legal way to evict a nonpaying tenant is through a nonpayment eviction proceeding in Housing Court. Building owners must notify the tenant that rent is late, what the balance is, and that, if not paid, the tenant will be evicted.
Holdover
An owner may commence a summary proceeding for possession of an apartment for a breach of the lease. If a tenant’s lease contains a provision allowing for termination for committing a “nuisance,” an owner may undertake eviction proceedings for objectionable conduct.
Seniors
Seniors who have received a Notice of Eviction or a written notice from their landlord can get eviction prevention assistance and legal referrals. The City also provides eviction assistance for persons over the age of 60 who are mentally or physically impaired. For help, call 311.
What is Affordable Housing?
Housing is considered affordable if it costs about one-third or less of what the people living there get in income. In addition to HUD / VASH program, local principalities also provide a wide range of housing opportunities depending on:
- Age
- Nature of disability
- Income / financial stability
- Mental health challenges
- Drug / alcohol dependency
HUD / VASH is a program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) to help veterans facing homelessness and their families find and sustain permanent housing under the Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher (HCV).
The HUD / VASH program works as a rental subsidy that allows veterans to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Think of Section 8 for veterans. Eligible veterans will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. Generally, veterans will pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share.
Community Housing Programs and Vouchers
Pursuing a HUD/VASH housing voucher can be lengthly and frustrating for VA - eligible veterans often stuck in shelters or on the street. Many vererans will instead opt for a localized voucher for the market rate rent and the veteran pays approx. 30 - 40% of their total monthly income. Depending on the type of supportive housing requested, additional documentation may be required, but the standard city voucher can be awarded within weeks of entering a shelter or transitional program such as the GPD program.
Additional housing options include:
New York State’s Veterans Emergency Housing Program
New York State’s Veterans Emergency Housing Program assists New York State’s Veterans who are confronting emergency housing needs and lacking the funds to cover these immediate costs. This is currently being run as a pilot program that will last through 2024. During this period, a total of $200,000 in emergency housing assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To qualify for these emergency funds, an applicant must be a Veteran living in New York State and facing an immediate housing hardship. An applicant must also have a personal net worth equal to or below the net worth limit established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assess eligibility for a non-service-connected pension.
Eligible Veterans can receive up to $2,000 apiece to help cover their emergency housing expenses.
Supportive housing is affordable housing with supportive social services in place for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Supportive housing typically comes in two setting model types: congregate (the only one developers work with) and scattered-site. In the Congregate Housing model, all tenants live in one building and each has his/her own individual room or apartment. Tenants have their own lease and pay rent directly to the landlord.
How Landlords Can Help End Veteran Homeless
No individual who served their country should be without a home. VA cannot address this alone and needs landlords who are interested in housing these Veterans.
Landlords have a unique opportunity to give back to those who have served. Veterans have selflessly defended our nation in times of need — and landlords can make a positive impact by protecting these individuals from the risk of homelessness. Housing Veterans doesn’t just provide shelter, but can lead to life-changing health, social, and socioeconomic outcomes for them and their families. Furthermore, housing Veterans provides a mutually beneficial relationship; landlords will benefit from responsible, often long-term, renters, support from VA, and guaranteed payments that come through Housing Choice Vouchers or grantees offering short-term subsidies.
Veteran Housing Coalitions, Task Forces, & Supportive Programs
The goal of most housing task forces is to address policies and regulations that effect homeless populations in our communities. Unfortunately, policies and funding rarely favor to address a multitude of needs of the individual veteran for a successful transition into sustainable housing.
The Forgotten Veteran is just one of numerous organizations that assist individual needs of the most vulnerable veterans experiencing homelessness in our communities and address idividual veterans on an individual basis with that knowledge being passed along.