A03701 - Housing Access Voucher Program

• Establishes a state housing access voucher program providing rental assistance to individuals and families who are homeless or facing imminent loss of housing, administered by the Commissioner of Housing and Community Renewal through designated local administrators.

• Limits eligibility to individuals and families with income not exceeding 50% of area median income, with at least 85% of homeless assistance funds directed to those earning 30% or less of area median income; eligibility independent of immigration status.

• Sets maximum rent at 90-110% of fair market rent established by HUD, with tenants paying the greater of 30% of adjusted income or designated welfare assistance, with state subsidy covering the difference.

• Requires annual unit inspections meeting housing quality standards, with initial inspections before any assistance payments; allows alternative inspection methods from other federal, state, or local housing programs.

• Mandates at least 50% of allocated funds serve homeless individuals and families in each county or New York City; funds allocated proportionally based on severely rent-burdened households; vouchers usable statewide; effective April 1 following enactment.