NYC Department of Homeless Services

*Alert*
The city is fundamentally restructuring its rental assistance program and no longer processes EARP applications through the shelter system. A new rental assistance program, Housing Stability Plus, has been developed to replace EARP Section 8. DHS is in immediate need of apartments for the new program. Landlords who would like to be considered for the new program, or who are interested in learning more, should fill out the interest form or call the Office of Re-Housing hotline at 212-361-6611.

Click here for more information.

Thousands of landlords and building owners today benefit from renting their apartments to homeless New York families. By participating in one of our rental supplement programs, landlords can receive a steady flow of rent income, rental supplements, and even a one-time monetary bonus. The Emergency Assistance Rehousing Program (EARP) and the Long-Term Stayers Program (LTSP) are two very similar programs that the City uses to distribute rental assistance funds to help homeless families, and they are a fundamental part of helping client families achieve permanency. Due to the growth of the family shelter population, DHS is looking for more landlords to participate in these unique programs.

Here are five easy steps you can take to become an EARP or LTSP participant.

1) KNOWING THE PROGRAMS - WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

DHS is looking for landlords interested in receiving fair-market rents, rental supplements, and a significant one-time bonus, all while helping homeless families achieve permanency. From a landlord's perspective, the differences between EARP and LTSP are minimal. Here's a quick breakdown of the differences.

EARP
One of the biggest draws of being an EARP landlord is the one-time bonus you receive once a family moves in. Based on a family's composition, the bonus is paid by the City of New York. It can be used to pay back any monies (i.e., tax arrears, health and building code fines) owed to the City for the particular property.

The bonus comes in addition to the fair-market rents a landlord will receive. Families moving into an EARP certified apartment will receive a Section 8 federal subsidy up to the fair market rental amount. The current fair-market rent in New York City is:

LTSP
Just like EARP, landlords participating in the LTSP will receive a one-time bonus from the City of New York based on the family’s composition. The bonus is the same as indicated in the first chart listed above. LTSP landlords will also receive a steady rent supplement for up to five years, based on the tenant family’s public assistance case size. The supplement will be sent to the landlord directly every month. Unlike EARP, this supplement can be used when an LTSP-eligible family moves into an apartment with another tenant. LTSP families are categorically ineligible for Section 8 and EARP. The rental supplement is listed below.

The sooner your apartment is ready for inspection, the sooner you can receive tenants. By following Federal Housing Quality Standards detailed on our Apartment Checklist Guide, you will be able to prepare your apartment for inspection. Unless you can check “yes” next to all Checklist’s requirements and sign the Inspection-Ready Contract, your apartment will not pass inspection. It is imperative that you make the necessary repairs to your apartment before inspection.

Please do not contact our Rehousing Office unless you are sure the apartment meets Federal Housing Quality Standards.

Once your apartment is ready, you can do one of two things. Either you can fill out an EARP/LTSP Application Form and mail it to the Office of Rehousing, or you can call the EARP/LTSP hotline and fill the application out over the phone. The hotline operates Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, and can be reached by calling 212-361-6611 (6612, 6613, 6614).

If you choose an EARP tenant, you will sign a Section 8 lease with the family, a Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment with NYCHA, and an EARP agreement with DHS.

If you choose an LTSP tenant, you will sign a lease with the family. The first months rent, deposit and bonus will be paid by DHS. All subsequent rental payments will be handled by the Human Resource Administration.

Once your apartment has been certified, it is added to a list of suitable apartments that is sent to DHS-funded and directly operated shelters and hotels, as well as HRA’s Domestic Violence Shelters. Dedicated Housing Specialists coordinate meetings between you and eligible homeless clients. You, or a licensed real estate broker of your choice, screen and select the homeless family you want to be your tenant. It’s that easy.

If you choose a willing and approved EARP family, contact NYCHA for a lease signing appointment. NYCHA will subsequently contact the family to finalize arrangements for lease-signing. To arrange an appointment call the NYCHA office in your borough.

BRONX: 718-329-7955 (7947, 7957, 7949, 7856)
BROOKLYN/STATEN ISLAND: 718-250-9728 (9729, 9727, 9720)
QUEENS: 718-393-7453
MANHATTAN: 917-492-8903

So you choose the tenant, receive a one-time bonus, and are guaranteed a rent check or supplement every month – all while helping New York’s homeless families move out of shelter and into permanent housing! Here are some details that should answer any additional questions you may have.

THE FAST TRACK
If your apartment passes inspection on DHS’ first visit, your apartment will be given a top-priority rating. DHS only wants to inspect apartments that pass all the guidelines of the move-in checklist; landlords who take the time to prepare their apartment will be put on the fast track to getting a tenant.

EARP PAYMENT
The rent will come to you, the landlord, from two sources: the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the tenant. The tenant share of the rent is based on their Public Assistance and employment status, and will be decided by the Human Resources Administration (HRA) Income Support Center.

LTSP PAYMENT
After the first month, the rent supplement will come to you, the landlord, from HRA. This guarantees an on-time and steady source of rental income.

LEASE AGREEMENT
When you are ready for a family to move in, you and the family will sign agreements that outline how you will receive the rent, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of both the tenant and landlord. The lease will last two years. If the family moves out before the two years because of eviction or other reasons, you will be expected to pay back the prorated shares of the bonus, or replace the previous family with another EARP or LTSP eligible family for the remaining time of the lease.

SECURITY DEPOSIT
The security deposit for the apartment will be equal to the tenant’s share for the rent, or $50, whichever is greater.

BROKER FEES
DHS will pay broker fees to licensed real estate brokers with limits established by the Human Resources Administration (HRA).