Search Email Updates Contact Us Residents Business Visitors Government Office of the Mayor NYC.gov always open
NYC Department of Homeless Services

Directory
HOME
ABOUT DHS
AT-RISK?
HOMELESS NOW?
ADVANTAGE
COMMUNICATIONS
STATS & REPORTS
CONTACT DHS
Quick Links
Daily Report
Critical Activities Report
Equal Opportunity Affairs
Contracts & Procurement
Volunteer Information

FAQ FOR INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY THE ELIMINATION OF ADVANTAGE

Q: Why is the Advantage program ending?
The final State Budget withdraws all federal and state support for the program which terminates the City's authority and fiscal ability to run the Advantage program. The City strongly disagrees with the State's decision.

Q: Will my February rent be paid?
NO.
  Ever since April, 2011, the City has been paying Advantage rent subsidies because there was a court order requiring the City to continue the payments pending the outcome of ongoing court action.  On Thursday, February 2, 2012, the court  discontinued that order.  Therefore, the City will NOT be paying the February rent subsidy.  There are still pending court proceedings and the City will provide updated information as soon as it becomes available.  Please note that the discontinuation of February Advantage payments is NOT an eviction notice.  DHS strongly encourages current Advantage tenants to attend a Homebase information session.  Homebase offers comprehensive services, including eviction prevention counseling, free legal assistance, short term emergency funding and assistance in obtaining employment and public benefits. By attending a Homebase workshop, Advantage tenants will receive assistance in planning for maintaining their housing. For further information, please call 311 to locate a Homebase office in your community.

Q: If I am an Advantage landlord, who can I contact to discuss the options that are available for my tenants?
During business hours call 212-607-6200, or 311 anytime.

Q. If I am an Advantage landlord, may I use the security deposit if my tenant is unable to pay the full rent?
As with any other lease, the security deposit can be used towards non-payment of rent or towards damages incurred in the apartment.

Q. Does the end of the Advantage program mean that I have to leave my apartment?
Absolutely NOT. The notices that you have received from HRA and DHS were only to let you know the status of your rental assistance. NONE OF THESE NOTICES WERE EVICTION NOTICES.

EVEN THOUGH THE PROGRAM IS ENDING, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VACATE YOUR APARTMENT. If your landlord has asked you to leave your apartment or is threatening to evict you because the Advantage program has been terminated, please contact the DHS Prevention Helpline during business hours at 212-607-6200, or 311 anytime.

Q: What if I can't pay my rent - what are the options available to me?
DHS will be holding a number of information sessions for Advantage tenants at Homebase locations throughout the City. Please click here (in pdf) to view the current schedule of these sessions.

The City also offers a range of community-based eviction prevention resources including:

One shot deals may be available for families and individuals. In order to qualify, you will have to be able to show future ability to pay the rent. You need to go to an HRA Job Center to apply for a one-shot deal. You can call 311 for the location of an appropriate Job Center.

Families who are receiving or are eligible for Cash Assistance and receive a Housing Court notice may be eligible for the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS). Families who receive a Housing Court notice should go to their HRA Job Center.

For more information go to www.nyc.gov/hra, call the DHS Prevention Helpline during business hours at 212-607-6200, or 311 anytime.



Eight Annual HOPE Survey

City Conducts Eighth Annual HOPE Survey
 On Monday, January 30, thousands of volunteers canvassed the five boroughs to conduct the City’s eighth annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). As one of the most comprehensive surveys of its kind nationwide, HOPE enables the City to efficiently allocate resources to the issue of street homelessness, ultimately aiming to help this population transition from the streets into housing. This year, DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond was joined on his survey route by John U. Sepúlveda, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Additionally, DHS was pleased to welcome Adolfo Carrión, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), at the Hostos Community College site in the Bronx.

Thank you to all of the 2012 volunteers, who once again stepped up to prove that one night can make a difference in the lives of homeless New Yorkers.
View the photos
See the coverage from NY1
Read the coverage from the Huffington Post 



Sheet Music

DHS Partners with Carnegie Hall to Connect Clients to Music
 On Tuesday, January 10, the stage lights illuminated the Harlem Stage Gatehouse for an original performance of 17 flourishing musicians. Unified by their love of music, and their shared journeys to overcome homelessness, the group included senior citizens from the Valley Lodge Transitional Shelter- a City facility that provides temporary, emergency shelter to individuals over the age of 55.
Read more
Learn more about the Musical Connections program
Read coverage from the Daily News




3,000 Volunteers Needed for HOPE
On Monday, January 30, 2012, approximately 3,000 volunteers will fan out across the five boroughs for the eighth annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). Conducting the survey throughout the early morning hours, participants will become the eyes and ears of the City– canvassing streets, parks and other public spaces to identify individuals living unsheltered.
Read more
Read the press release
Sign up to volunteer




DHS Partners with Chess-in-the-Schools to Teach Important Life Skills
Through its involvement with the Mayor’s Task Force on Truancy, Chronic Absenteeism and School Engagement, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) strives to promote academic success among children in temporary, emergency shelter. Building on this mission, DHS has now partnered with non-profit educational organization, Chess-in-the-Schools, to teach youngsters about the game of chess while simultaneously helping them to build valuable life skills.
Read more
View the coverage from NY1




DHS General Counsel Receives Citywide Honor
Since assuming her current title at the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) in 2006, General Counsel Michele Ovesey has exemplified great legal service to the City of New York and to homeless clients in need. On Wednesday, December 14, in recognition of her outstanding work ethic and impeccable litigation instincts, the New York City Law Department honored Michele at its 30th annual awards ceremony.
Read more
Read the Law Department’s full press release




Commissioner Diamond Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Family Homelessness
On Thursday, December 15, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify at a Congressional hearing of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity.
Read more
Read Commissioner Diamond's Testimony




Tommy Hilfiger Foundation Hosts Teens for Holiday Event
As one of the world's leading brands for premium lifestyle fashions, Tommy Hilfiger has become a household name in both the industry and the department stores. However, the company's innovative take on preppy, all-American styles are not second to its commitment to giving back. Founded in 1995, the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation aims to enrich the lives of America's youth, focusing on opportunities that provide educational offerings to populations across the world.Read more
Learn more about the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
View the photos




A Holiday Visit from Adam Graves
On Monday, December 12, the holidays came early for children at one lower Manhattan shelter. Joined by DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond, Councilmember Margaret Chin and former New York Rangers player, Adam Graves− the youngsters selected and received winter coats at an event sponsored by the Garden of Dreams Foundation
Read more
Learn more about Garden of Dreams
View the photos




Celebrating the Holidays at the Radisson Martinique
In 1898, surrounded by the champagne sparkle of Broadway, the Hotel Martinique opened its doors to visitors from across the globe. Now recognized as the City's oldest operating hotel, the Beaux Arts building has been witness to an array of stories behind its walls- some depicting the wonder and amazement of well-traveled guests, and others more sadly portraying the struggles of families who stayed there during its stint as a welfare hotel.
Read more
View the photos



An Eligibility Process for Single Adults

Over the past three decades, the City has built a homeless services system for single adults that is now recognized as the most comprehensive and sophisticated in the nation. What started in the 1980’s as essentially “three hots and a cot” is now a network of approximately 60 shelters that provide a broad range of services to assist homeless New Yorkers obtain permanent housing and remain stably housed in the community. Shelter, like all other public benefits, comes with responsibilities — the responsibility of the City to allocate this costly and limited resource to those who truly need it, and the responsibility of applicants to show that they have no other place to stay, even on a temporary basis. For this reason, we determined to implement an eligibility process for single adults seeking shelter. This policy is closely aligned with the existing eligibility process for families with children and adult families — a process we have successfully implemented for the past 16 years.

Although DHS operates the most extensive and innovative shelter system in the country, we remain steadfast in our belief that shelter is not a home but a short-term response to a housing crisis; that shelter is never the best option, but the option of last resort; and that it is the City’s responsibility to allocate this critical yet costly resource to those truly in need. Through eligibility, we can continue our efforts to help at-risk New Yorkers remain in the community, while at the same time return shelter to its root emergency purpose.

Data shows that nearly 60 percent of single adult men currently seeking shelter were living with family or friends before they arrived at intake. While only five years ago, one-third of the adult shelter population reported living on the street prior to shelter entry, today less than 15 percent of those seeking shelter report a history of street homelessness. For these reasons, we are confident that through an eligibility process we can identify applicants who can safely return to available housing resources in the community.

As discussed in the following Daily News editorial on eligibility, it is the City’s responsibility to determine the best strategies for fighting homelessness and to implement them in the most cost-effective manner. An eligibility process for single adults will allow DHS to do precisely that.

Read the New York Daily News editorial



Ringing in the Holiday Season at Macy's 61st Annual Operation Happy Children Event
 Every year, amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping rush, the magic of the North Pole comes to Macy's Herald Square. Building on this joyous tradition, on Tuesday, November 29, Macy's marked the 61st anniversary of Operation Happy Children– an effort that has long brought the excitement of Santaland to underprivileged children throughout the five boroughs.
Read more
View the photos




Thanksgiving on the Intrepid
 On Tuesday, November 22- continuing its annual Thanksgiving tradition- the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hosted approximately 150 clients from City shelters for a night of education and entertainment. Accompanied by Commissioner Diamond, attendees received personal tours of the vessel, and an up close look at one of the most famous aircraft carriers of all times.
Read more
View the photos




DHS Kicks Off Thanksgiving Holiday with New York City Rescue Mission
On Monday, November 21, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond joined former Mayor David Dinkins, Councilmember Annabel Palma, Councilmember Margaret Chin, Councilmember Al Vann, State Senator Daniel Squadron and other community representatives for the New York City Rescue Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Banquet.
Read more
View the photos
View the coverage from NY1 




In Flight Above Manhattan
For the seventh consecutive year, the Fashion Center Business Improvement District (BID) hosted “Kite Flight,” an event that transforms the roof of Port Authority Bus Terminal into an artistically-inspired space. On Sunday, September 18, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond accompanied approximately 100 children from four City shelters to participate in the event, joining the ranks of hundreds of other kids from the community.
Read more
View the photos




Assistance for Advantage Tenants
On Tuesday, September 13, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Justice Judith J. Gische ruled that, due to the State's elimination of funding, the City could terminate the Advantage rental assistance program.
Read more 




Playing Ball at Citi Field
On Monday, September 12, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond accompanied approximately 60 children from shelter to the Mets versus Nationals game at Citi Field. Coordinated by DHS’ Office of Communications & External Affairs, the event was just one of many special activities offered to families throughout the year, thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors and nonprofit organizations.
Read more 
View the photos




DHS Kicks Off New School Year With Fenimore Church Luncheon
With a new school year now underway, on Saturday, September 10, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond joined 160 parents and children from the Auburn Family Shelter at a luncheon, hosted by Fenimore Church in Brooklyn.
Read more 
View the photos




A Day of Service and Remembrance
On Saturday, September 10- in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks- children from two shelters participated in a national day of service and remembrance. Held at PS 188 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the event centered on the theme of, “I will,” and encouraged youngsters to celebrate diversity and become actively involved in their communities.
Read more 
View the photos

Daily Census
(For December 9, 2011)
8,530 Families
With Children
1,387 Adult Families
8,567 Single Adults

39,787

Total Individuals
HOPE 2012 logo

Access NYC
Screen your family for over 30 City, State, and Federal health and human services programs.


Facebook logo Facebook
Twitter logo Twitter
 

 
Site Map
Copyright 2012 The City of New York Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map