Tenant Advocacy Project
If
you live in federally- subsidized housing, or want to apply,
we can help!
To
access our services, leave a voicemail at 212-614-5347
You'll
receive a call back from our staff within 3 working days.
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for calling.
The
Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) is a comprehensive affordable
housing initiative that aims to empower low income New Yorkers
to take fuller advantage of federal housing programs, including
conventional public housing and Section 8 assistance vouchers. As
a central “how-to” resource on these programs for
poor tenants and the community-based organizations that
serve them, we provide:
- Training and technical assistance to a network
of community-based organizations and constituent service offices
of elected officials to enhance their ability to help the tenants
- Advocacy through
the CSS Public Policy Department for systemic change and
broad-based solutions to important issues that emerge from our
hands-on work with tenants and housing advocates
- Publication of a series of
user-friendly housing guides, called Housing Answers (in
English, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese), that address the most
common, serious threats to housing stability
- Direct services to tenants through
a help line and individual representation to resolve tenant
problems and prevent eviction and homelessness
Affordable Housing Crisis in New York City
Some
facts:
- Nearly 30% of New York’s poor households live in federally
subsidized and conventional public housing
- 110,450 households get Section 8 vouchers for private apartments
- 52,160 households live in HUD-subsidized developments
- 182,000 households live in conventional public housing
- As of April 2006,
- 148,914 households are on the waiting list for conventional
public housing
- 127,679 households are on the waiting list for Section 8
program
- The average waiting period is 8 years
- 65% of poor tenants in New York City spend 50% or more of their
incomes in rent
- 43% of poor New Yorkers faced housing hardships in 2005:
- 33% fell behind in rent
- 32% had utilities or phone turned off due to unpaid bills
- 12% of affordable private rental units are threatened with
loss
- 28,422 private apartments in major subsidized, privately
owned rental housing programs were de-subsidized
- 5,518 were lost in 2005 alone
- 80% of 2005 losses were in Harlem and the South Bronx
Residents of public and subsidized housing are among the most
vulnerable New Yorkers. Sixty percent of Section 8 voucher
recipients, half of public housing residents, and one third of
HUD-subsidized buildings residents live below the poverty line.
Many of them experience problems getting repairs, understanding
rent levels, getting necessary re-certifications, and dealing with
special issues such as earned income disregards for moving from
welfare to work.
A 2005 survey of lower-income New Yorkers conducted
for Community Service Society found that housing is the single
biggest concern for the poor. More timely help could prevent
many tenants from living in unsafe conditions or from reaching
the crisis point of eviction. Non-profit groups, legal services
agencies, and elected officials are inundated with requests
that they cannot handle because they lack staff, and sometimes
expertise. People seeking help are often bounced around from one
agency to another without getting their problems resolved.
The
need for housing assistance in New York City is staggering.
But the economic and human resources available to provide such
assistance are extremely limited. TAP’s training and
direct services initiatives help fill in this gap.
Housing Information & Resources for Tenants
Training & Technical Assistance for Community-Based
Organizations (CBOs)
TAP Publications
Housing Answers (Summer 2005): "Adding
Someone to Your Lease"
Housing Answers (Summer 2006): "What to Do if You
Fall Behind in Your Rent"
Contact
Help
Line: 212-614-5347
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