Rental Assistance - DHS

Department of Homeless Services

Serving New Yorkers with Care & Compassion


Rental AssistanceAftercare


Permanency

One of our top priorities at NYC DSS-DHS is helping the New Yorkers who we serve maintain and secure their housing, as well as helping New Yorkers experiencing homelessness identify permanent housing opportunities and move out of shelter into that stable housing. Through the programs and initiatives that this Agency has developed, we have helped more than 180,000 New Yorkers remain in or secure permanent housing, with the vast majority exiting shelter into permanent housing.

In addition, at our 26 Homebase locations across the five boroughs, dedicated staff are on hand to connect households exiting NYC-DHS with aftercare services as they transition to permanent housing and independent living.

Individuals receive referrals to aftercare based on case-by-case evaluations of each household's unique needs and factors that may have previously contributed to their experience of homelessness, with the goal of building and maintaining skills developed during a household's time in shelter, including: employment and educational stability, addressing behavioral and mental health challenges, money management, independent living skills, financial literacy, and assistance obtaining public benefits.

Homebase also supports households with their transition to independent living by:

Reviewing tenant roles and responsibilities regarding their lease, and working with a landlord to resolve any tenancy concerns that may arise.

Assisting with acclimating households to their neighborhood including nearby transportation, hospitals, schools, daycare as well as other community-based resources in the neighborhood.

Helping tenants renew or restore their housing subsidy as needed.