Rent voucher recipients to give up larger part of paycheck for rent

Needy families who receive rent vouchers will be required to give a larger share of their paycheck to cover rent aid, the Daily News reported. The city’s Department of Homeless Services asked the state for the changes earlier this year, arguing that families who receive rent vouchers, worth about $1,000 a month, need to contribute more of their paycheck toward rent. They will be required to pay 30 percent of their salary during the first year, beginning Aug. 1, and 40 percent the second year. “It’s to build good behavior because ultimately they are going to have to assume the full burden of the rent,” said Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond. Others, such as Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, fear the plan will backfire, leaving more families stuck in homeless shelters. Meanwhile, the city is weighing an option to drop the rent requirement for the working homeless to stay in shelters.[NYDN]

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