12,000 New Yorkers could be homeless if voucher problem isn't solved

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Nonprofit housing advocates are calling for action from city and state leaders after federal funding was cut for housing vouchers for 5,200 families in New York City.

"It's a huge concern," said Brendan Cheney of the New York Housing Conference. "These are some of the most at risk families in New York."

While there are 5,200 voucher holders impacted locally, that affects more than 12,000 family members, including children.

The nonprofit agency mapped where all of the families receiving vouchers live, showing it affects every district throughout all of New York city, but areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn are hardest hit.

"It's citywide, there are families with the vouchers living in every district, in every neighborhood across the city," said Cheney.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told Eyewitness News it's a problem that's on his radar.

"We're looking to take every step that we can to ensure that even as these programs are under attack from the federal level, we can do everything we can to step up, so we're exploring every option we have," said Mayor Mamdani.

Eyewitness News first reported on the issue last month.

Congress created the emergency housing vouchers back in 2021, but the feds cut the funding, which means it's now ending four years earlier than expected.

"It's helping many vulnerable people and without the assistance, many people might end up homeless," said Cheney.

The New York City Housing Authority, or NYCHA, who runs the program locally notified voucher holders to sign up for the public housing waitlist. However, thousands of people are already on the waitlist for housing and there's no guarantee they'll get in.

In a statement, a NYCHA spokesperson said:

"Last year the federal government announced that it would be ending the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program early, with funding running out by the end of 2026. In order to receive an offer of an alternative subsidized housing option from NYCHA, EHV participants must complete a public housing application. NYCHA will be accepting applications on a rolling basis through the summer."

Eyewitness News spoke with a mother, Lashonne Smith, who says the voucher helps keep a roof over her family's head in Brooklyn.

"It's emotionally draining," said Smith. "This is just going to make it worse for us, if we don't have somewhere to live."

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