The NYC Advantage Program For Homeless Families

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

What is the Advantage program?

Advantage is a rental subsidy that helps clients transition from temporary, emergency shelter to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible, instilling responsibility through its firm linkage to employment.  Effective August 1, 2010, this new program has been revised from our previous Advantage subsidy to promote employment and foster self-sufficiency, so that households can return to independent living.

Advantage:

• Helps pay for one or two years of rent support to eligible households
• Requires participants to work and contribute:
  • 30 percent of their gross monthly income toward rent in the first year
  • 40 percent of their gross monthly income in the second year, if they qualify

Who is eligible for the program?

Households in shelter who:

• Have an adult in the household that must be working at least 20 hours a week, earning at minimum wage or above, and engaged in HRA-approved activities for a total of 35 hours weekly;
• If there are other adults  in your household, those adults must be:
  • Working and/or participating in HRA-approved activities for a minimum of 20 hours weekly, and be in compliance with all HRA public assistance requirements, OR
  • In receipt of SSI (or be coded by HRA as "SSI Pending"), SSDI or other federal disability benefits, OR
  • Certified by HRA as "Needed at Home" to care for a disabled family member who is in receipt of federal disability benefits:
• Have an Active or Single Issue Public Assistance case;
• Have been determined eligible and resided in shelter for at least 60 days;
• Remain compliant with all Public Assistance requirements;
• All household members must be free of sanctions  for 30 days before certification;
• Have a total household income that does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level.

Although we require households who can work to do so, we also recognize that some may be unable to work due to disability. Households may also qualify if:

• All adult members of the household are in receipt of SSI, SSDI or other federal disability benefits, or certified by HRA as "Needed at Home" to care for a disabled family member who is in receipt of federal disability benefits.

How long does the program last?

Clients will receive one year of rental assistance.  A second year renewal is available if clients meet the following renewal criteria:

• An adult in the household with demonstrated work, with an increase of employment to 35 hours per week at minimum wage or above - having been out of work for no more than two months since the start of the subsidy;
• Remain compliant with Public Assistance requirements, if applicable; 
• If the household is not on Public Assistance, and employment hours were less than 35 during the year, the household must show participation in other work-related activities approved by HRA for up to a total of 35 hours weekly throughout the year; 
• If there is another adult  in the household, that adult, at  the time of renewal, must be:
  • Working at least 20 hours weekly at minimum wage or above, OR 
  • In receipt of SSI, SSDI or other federal disability benefits, OR 
  • Certified by HRA as "Needed at Home" to care for a disabled family member who is in receipt of federal disability benefits;
• Continue to have an income that is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

What is the amount of rental assistance available?

The amount of rental assistance given to a particular household depends on its income and household size. DHS will not contribute to rent amounts above the maximums listed below. Rents above the allowed maximum amount are prohibited under the Advantage program. Landlords are prohibited from charging extra for heat and hot water. In addition, side deals are strictly prohibited. Advantage participants should not pay any fees to landlords or brokers above what is legally agreed upon in the lease.  Any such requests should be immediately reported to DHS by dialing 311, or calling the Prevention Helpline at (212) 607-6200.

Example of Year 1 Client Contribution and Rental Subsidy

	Household Size*	1 or 2 people	3 or 4 people	5 or 6 people	7 or 8 people	9 or 10 people	11, 12 or 13 people
Client  Contribution toward Rent	Household Income	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
	30% of Income (Client Contribution)	$300	$300	$300	$300	$300	$300
Rental subsidy	Maximum Rent	$962	$1,070	$1,316	$1,481	$1,703	$1,925
	Subsidy Amount	$662	$770	$1,016	$1,181	$1,403	$1,625

Example of Year 2 Client Contribution and Rental Subsidy

	Household Size*	1 or 2 people	3 or 4 people	5 or 6 people	7 or 8 people	9 or 10 people	11, 12 or 13 people
Client Contribution toward Rent	Household Income	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200
	40% of Income (Client Contribution)	$480	$480	$480	$480	$480	$480
Rental Subsidy	Maximum Rent	$962	$1,070	$1,316	$1,481	$1,703	$1,925
	Rental Subsidy	$482	$590	$836	$1,001	$1,223	$1,445

*Eligible household size is determined by HRA

What assistance is available once clients exit shelter?

Once a family or individual exits shelter, they can receive aftercare services through Homebase. Aftercare is there to help households transition back to homes in the community and it is important for clients to ask for help when they need it.

Aftercare services include: Tenant conflict resolution, good neighbor education, payment resolution, help accessing transitional benefits, assistance with upgrading or finding employment, assistance accessing services from other City agencies and community-based groups.

For all questions concerning Aftercare services, clients may dial 311 to find the nearest Homebase location, or call the DHS Prevention Helpline at (212) 607-6200.

For more information about the new Advantage: 

• Clients in shelter: Please see your caseworker or housing specialist
• Shelter Staff:  Please contact your Program Administrator or Program Analyst 
• Prevention and Aftercare: Please call the Prevention Helpline at (212) 607-6200
• Members of the Community and Elected Officials: Please contact DHS' Office of Communications and External Affairs at (212) 361-7900 or (212) 361-7973
• Landlords/Brokers:  Please call the DHS Office of Re-housing at (212) 607-5310

More Information: NYC.GOV