How does HRA housing program work in NYC

 

Areal photo of NYC

Buying and owning a home is a dream for many people. Everyone comes to a point when it is necessary to provide and buy your own roof over your head. However, this is not an easy task. We all live in chaotic surroundings and there is no telling what tomorrow may bring. This is why many people are reluctant to get a loan or search for a property. This is because of the fear that you won't be able to maintain a loan and that you will ultimately lose your home. In these cases, people who want to downsize need some assistance. Luckily there are forms of assistance that you can rely on. So let's take a look into just how does HRA housing program work in NYC.

What is HRA?

The US government has an organization that is dedicated to providing social services to those in need. This organization is mainly known as the Department of Social Services or today a the Human Resources Administration (HRA). In short, the task of this agency is to provide vital assistance and services to those in need. If we focus on NYC and its boroughs then we can say that HRA aims at fighting income inequality and poverty by providing some of the essential benefits to New Yorkers. These benefits or services can span from food assistance to Emergency rental services.

Aerial photo of a neighborhood in construction.
HRA must provide assistance with housing to those in need.

But let's be clear, HRA functions through two departments and provides a pallet of diverse programs. Today in the wake of the Covid - 19 crisis the assistance HRA provides is more important than ever. This is also true for the HRA housing programs that provide to New Yorkers. To be precise the programs that HRA provides covers multitude o fields. To better understand how does HRA housing program work in NYC, let's concentrate on housing programs, these are:

  • Affordable housing
  • Eviction assistance
  • Rental supplement programs
  • Housing vouchers and
  • Veteran housing

How it works

The HRA programs work in many different ways and situations. They are meant to provide both housing and if needed moving subsidies and assistance. So if you are moving to Brooklyn and are in need of a subsidy to pay Capital City Movers NYC or any other moving company you can apply.

The procedure dictates that you must work with pre-approved social service providers to fill in the application. After that, the HRA team reviews the application and determines the eligibility. Based on the type of requested services you are then referred to other social service providers for the completion of the process.

So, if you apply for supportive housing you can be referred to the designated placement agency that will complete the process. However, these housing solutions have limitations. They are usually limited to 6 months due to the lack of units and high demand. So you will have to plan to move elsewhere as soon as you can. If you apply for tax benefits you will be referred accordingly.

Who is it for?

HRA provides housing programs to all NYC residents that are in need of assistance and help. The aim is to prevent homelessness and provide support to both individuals and families that are at risk of becoming homeless. The HRA creates housing programs that can achieve a supportive, functional, and affordable environment for people in need of housing.

NYC yellow cabs on an avenue.
HRA in NYC works pretty much the same way as anywhere else.

However, these housing services and support do not only target those that do not have a roof over their head. Even those with ownership and property can apply. These cases are:

  • Owning property in another city
  • House under construction
  • Unable to move in
  • Having a loan and moving

Owning property in another city

You can apply for HRA assistance even if you have your own property. This can occur if you buy a home and then have to move for work. In these cases, you must first budget and pay for your expensive move. You also must pay rent for an apartment even though you own your property. If you also have a loan for this property then you have another expense. In these cases, you can become endangered so you can apply for assistance.

House under construction

You can also claim tax benefits on the interests you pay for a house loan. This occurs when your home is in construction and you have to pay rent until the job is done. HRA can then assist you by providing tax relief on your loan.

Unable to move in

Sometimes a family may own a home that it can't use. In these cases NYC HRA can provide tax benefits. This is a situation when you are forced to rent a place and move closer to your work because your home is too far. Usually, your home will have to be more than 35 miles away from your work to be able to apply.

Social service action is part of how does HRA housing program work in NYC.
HRA activities are much broader than just providing social services but also extend to housing solutions.

Moving

HRA can also provide further assistance if you are moving. For example, if you have a loan on a house and are moving to Brooklyn to live in your new home. In addition to the loan payments, the move itself may be quite expensive. Of course that the moving experts can help you with everything but it may prove to be too much of a financial burden. In these cases to prevent you from being exposed to the risk of poverty, HRA can provide additional moving assistance. To get this kind of help you should get in touch with the HRA to get information on your available options.

So, HRA is invaluable to provide support and assistance to those that are at risk of financial turmoil and problems. There are many HRA housing programs that are active and work within the NYC area. These programs are key to providing assistance, support, and security to both individuals, young adults, and families that have financial issues. As such they are important and you should understand just how does HRA housing program work in NYC in order to utilize it.

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