New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) stated that the funding delay caused by the federal government shutdown has been resolved, and the previously postponed “New York City Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program” payments will begin to be distributed to landlords starting from December 8th (Monday).
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) notified public housing agencies nationwide, including NYCHA, that the payments for December would be delayed. This funding is used to subsidize rent for tenants participating in the Section 8 voucher program, assisting landlords in covering part of the rent. The delay in disbursement raised concerns among the public.
NYCHA announced on Saturday that they have received the full amount of funding from HUD and will immediately initiate the processing procedures. The agency emphasized its role as a “financial intermediary” for federal housing assistance funds, stating that once the funds are received from HUD, they will be disbursed to landlords as quickly as possible under reasonable circumstances.
In a statement, NYCHA mentioned, “Following HUD’s notification of the delay in landlord payments for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program this month, we have now received all necessary funds and will promptly proceed with the payment process. NYCHA’s Section 8 rental assistance payments are entirely dependent on federal funding and will be processed promptly upon receipt of disbursement.”
This delay is related to the recent 43-day-long federal government shutdown, which set a record as the longest in U.S. history. During the government shutdown, various social welfare programs assisting low-income individuals, including housing subsidies and food assistance, were impacted.
With the funds now in place, NYCHA stated that landlords should begin to see payments reflected in their accounts from December 8th onwards, and it is expected to help the affected rental market return to normal operation.