Notice of Public Hearing: Ending the Perfect Storm: Finding Solutions and Identifying Alternatives for New York’s Section 8 Problem

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SUBJECT:  Ending the Perfect Storm:  Finding Solutions and Identifying Alternatives for New York’s Section 8 Problem

PURPOSE:  Update on various government agencies’ plan to (1)  address the lack of funding in New York’s Section 8 Program and (2) assist families who hold terminated vouchers.

April 15, 2010
11:00 a.m.
Richard Harris Terrace (Located in Main Lobby)
Borough of Manhattan Community College
199 Chambers Street
New York, N.Y.  10007

On December 10, 2009, NYCHA announced that it was no longer processing any new Section 8 applications.   On December 30, 2009, at least 2,589 families received noticethat their existing vouchers cannot be used.   Additionally, recent reports indicate that the problem will extend well beyond those families originally affected.  DHCR is also dealing with funding shortages and its Section 8 program may also be impacted.

Public input is requested concerning the State’s role in:

1) Finding viable housing solutions for the families who hold cancelled vouchers.

2) Preserving New York’s low-income housing and rent subsidy programs.

Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of postponement or cancellation of the hearing.

Witnesses are asked to keep oral testimony to no more than five minutes in length. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. If you are testifying, please submit ten copies of any prepared testimony at the hearing registration desk. In order to further publicize the hearing, please inform interested parties of the Committee’s interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Senate has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. Accommodation will be provided for individuals with disabilities, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate facilities and activities.

New York State Senate Standing Committee on Social Services
New York State Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction & Community Development

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on New York’s Section 8 program on April 15, 2010 are requested to complete the attached reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to:

Lily M. Fan
Counsel to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Services
Legislative Office Building, Room 946, Albany, N.Y. 12247
(518) 426-6956 (fax)
fan@senate.state.ny.us
(518) 455-2625 (phone)