Housing Assistance in New York
New York can be a big state full of financial opportunities. Although this is common sense in people’s minds, it is also a tough city to live in economically. Since living in the State of New York is very expensive, the apartment rents are too high. The biggest expense is house rents for working people. However, living as a single mother requires more responsibilities in many respects. It might get tricky to find a decent and affordable home for a family. If you are a single mother having financial difficulties regarding your household expenses, there are several opportunities available. Let’s discover federal, state, and locally funded programs in New York.
CityFHEPS Rent Supplement Program
The CityFHEPS is the merger of the LINC, SEPS, and CITYFEPS in New York that aims to provide rent support for people in financial need. The federal government merged these rental assistance programs under a single roof to ease the process both for landlords and renters. Single mothers who are at the risk of becoming homeless or already homeless can consider applying for this program. Apart from rent support, this program offers healthy and safe shelters for a long period. To read about eligibility criteria, please follow the link https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/cityfeps.page.
Pathway Home
The Pathway Home is another program sponsored by the federal government in New York. This is a unique program compared to other assistance programs. The Pathway Home helps you to move out from their shelters and start to live with your friends or family. The program calls these families “host families.” Till you find a host family, they offer you to live in their shelters with your children. They also help you to orient and go back to normal city life as soon as possible. Once you start to live with a host family with your children, the Pathway Home assists you with monthly rent assistance. The primary criteria for this program is that you must spend at least 90 days in a shelter. If you are interested, please visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/pathway-home.page.
Elmira Housing Authority
The Elmira Housing Authority is a non-profit establishment in New York. They require you to be eligible for section 8 or they can interview with you face-to-face and make a decision about your case. This organization mainly provides housing assistance for low-income people in New York. Single mothers facing financial hardship and about to lose their home may get in touch with them. To learn more, please visit http://www.elmirahousing.org/.
Salvation Army Greater New York Division
This division has been functioning since 1880 and offers various services for low-income New Yorkers. They offer a decent and secure home for a long turn, till you become economically independent. If you need housing assistance, you may consider this option. To learn more about their services, visit https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/greater-new-york/.
Watertown Housing Authority
The Watertown Housing Authority has been created and funded by the State of New York and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The main goal of this authority is to make sure that everyone in need of housing has a safe and affordable place to stay. Single mothers may use this option. To find out more, please visit https://www.whany.org/about-wha or dial 315 782 1251.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
This is one of the largest civil society organizations in New York that has been working for low and moderate-income people since 1917. This institution has a wide range of programs and services across the State of New York. Single mothers facing economic hardship can consult this organization. They can provide rental and housing assistance for you. To see their programs and eligibility requirements, please visit https://catholiccharitiesny.org/what-we-do/feeding-hungry-sheltering-homeless.
The New York Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in New York is sponsored by the federal government. The mission of this program is to assist low-income families with their heating and cooling expenses monthly. This program prioritizes single mothers thus, single moms needing financial support with their utilities may benefit from LIHEAP. To learn more, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance or dial the hotline 212 331 3150.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
New York Legal Assistance Group is a civil legal assistance office that is intended to provide legal assistance for those people in need. Single mothers facing forced conviction or having legal problems regarding their household may use this service. In addition to legal guidance for housing issues, the New York Legal Assistance Group also provides legal assistance for your financial considerations. To learn more, visit https://www.nylag.org/gethelp/.
The One Shot Program
This is an emergency support program that is intended to help with homelessness, forced evictions, utilities, and other community services. Program is funded by the federal government. If you require any of these services, find out more at https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/.
Foreclosure Relief Unit
The Foreclosure Relief Unit aims to help with foreclosures, as its very name suggests. It is sponsored by the Department of Financial Services of New York. Single mothers struggling with foreclosure and do not know how to react may apply for this program. In case of emergency you may call the hotline 800 342 3736 or follow the link to learn more https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/help_for_homeowners/foreclosure_relief_unit.
The New York Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
WAP is one of the most influential utility programs that is funded by the federal government across the country. The main goal is to increase energy efficiency and offer hot water for low-income families. Especially today, New Yorkers spend more energy and spend more money on energy bills compared to the past. New Yorkers who are over 60 years old or single mothers living with their children are more likely to benefit from this program. Besides, your total household income must be under 60 percent of the state median revenue. To learn more and apply for this program, please follow the link https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1872.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition
This coalition aims to prevent homelessness and provides decent and low-cost houses in New York. Single mothers may consider applying for their services. To find out more about the eligibility criteria, please visit https://nlihc.org/.
Neighbors of Watertown, Inc.
Neighbors of Watertown, Inc. is a local non-profit organization that is intended to make sure that every neighbor has a secure and affordable home. This community empowers its low-income residents through financial and rental support. For first-time homebuyers, it has a homebuyer education program. You can find out more at https://www.neighborsofwatertown.com/ or contact 315 782 8497.
Covenant House New York
The Covenant House is the largest local homeless shelter in New York. If you are a young single mother who needs a decent and safe place to stay with your children, you can reach out to Covenant House 24 hours a day. There is always an authorized person who you can consult whenever you need. Those who are in urgent need of housing may call 212 613 0300 or visit https://ny.covenanthouse.org/.
New York City Homebase
This is a program funded by the Department of Social Services in New York. Their mission is to provide permanent housing for low-income New York residents. If you are a single mother facing homelessness, you can apply for this program. Those who are eligible first settle their family in a safe shelter and eventually make sure that they will have a permanent place to live with their family. Find out more at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase.page.
Bronxworks
Bronxworks is another local organization in New York that has been functioning since 1972. Their mission is to make sure that everyone in need has financial, legal, or personalized assistance. If you are about to be evicted from your home, Bronxworks can help you with the legal procedure. They aim to make sure that you do not lose your home. However, if you are homeless and there is no turning back, they settle your family in a safe and decent family shelter or living room which they provide laundry, showers, hot meals, and more. For those who are suffering to pay their rent or utilities, Bronxworks provides emergency cash support. To learn more about their programs and see eligibility criteria, please visit http://www.bronxworks.org/ or dial 718 731 3114.
