Ny bill would expand housing vouchers to illegal aliens under 25

ALBANY, N.Y. – Migrant youth receiving homeless services could soon qualify for state housing vouchers under new legislation introduced in the Assembly.

Assembly Bill A00503, sponsored by Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, would amend the Social Services Law to make individuals under 25 who are receiving, or have previously received, runaway and homeless youth services eligible for the Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS) program.

The FHEPS program currently provides housing vouchers to low-income families facing eviction or homelessness in New York City. The proposed amendment would extend eligibility to migrant youth, with the state covering full rent for undocumented recipients and partial rent for documented youth who are employed.

According to the bill, the vouchers would be capped at the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair market rent level. Local social services districts, including New York City, would administer the program, with the state reimbursing the costs.

Hevesi, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Children and Families, has long pushed for expanded housing support as a way to combat youth homelessness. The measure is identical to Senate Bill S00168 and was referred to the Assembly Committee on Social Services on January 8.

If enacted, the law would take effect immediately.

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Key Points

Assembly Bill A00503 would expand FHEPS housing vouchers to migrant youth under 25.
Undocumented youth would qualify for full rent coverage, while employed documented youth would receive partial assistance.
The program would be administered locally, with costs reimbursed by the state.

The measure could significantly reshape housing support for homeless migrant youth in New York City.

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