Maximizing the Benefits of Housing Vouchers in New York City: Grantmaking and Advocacy Strategies for Robin Hood Foundation

The preclearance process requires the case manager to get building deed and registration information from the landlord and send the information to DSS to check for any violations or ownership issues. [...] Case manager compiles client’s CityFHEPS Application package After completing the pre-clearance and inspection processes, the case manager must compile the client's CityFHEPS application so DSS can determine the eligibility of both the unit and the client. [...] Likewise, another key issue is that upon receipt of the CityFHEPS application package from the case manager, the DHS-rehousing team will frequently send back the package due to minor errors, leading to time-consuming back and forth between the overburdened shelter staff and DSS. [...] The purpose of this recommendation is to highlight the opportunity for Robin Hood and the City to collaboratively test solutions for improving the CityFHEPS re-housing process, and to present a variety of potential interventions to consider. [...] The first mechanism is to create a prioritized queue with dedicated DHS/HRA staff, who ideally would be physically present at the shelter.xvii The second mechanism is to temporarily waive components of the eligibility verification (e.g., using self-attestation) and allow that step to be completed once the client is moved in.