Lawsuit: Low-Income NYers Blocked from Program

Advocates say eligible New Yorkers are regularly turned away from a city and state program that offers back rent and aid to families

A lawsuit contends that thousands of low-income New Yorkers are at risk of becoming homeless because they've been blocked from applying to a program designed to deter eviction.

The Family Eviction Prevention Supplement is a city/state program that offers back rent and aid to families on public assistance who face eviction.

But advocates say eligible New Yorkers are regularly turned away due to high demand and state funding cuts.

The Wall Street Journal says eight applicants accuse the city and state in their lawsuit of "creating an unduly burdensome and inadequate application system."

The city's welfare agency, the Human Resources Administration, said it' working with the state on initiatives that will respond to the plaintiffs' concerns.

The plaintiffs have now received special dispensation to submit their applications.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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