Stop the Loss of Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Assistance Without Permanent Alternatives

 

We, the undersigned, are calling on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), elected officials, and local housing authorities — including New York City Housing Authority — to secure additional funding and create permanent housing alternatives for families and individuals currently relying on the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program.

 

Thousands of households who received EHVs were placed into stable housing after experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, domestic violence, disability-related hardships, or other emergencies. Many recipients rebuilt their lives around the expectation of stable housing support. Now, with EHV funding expected to expire, many families face the devastating possibility of displacement, eviction, or homelessness once again.

 

This is not just a housing issue — it is a public stability, disability access, mental health, and economic justice issue.

 

Current Alternatives Are Not Sufficient

 

For many EHV recipients, the proposed alternatives are inaccessible or unrealistic.

 

The public housing application process is often not conducive for middle-income households who may earn too much to qualify for certain subsidies, yet still cannot reasonably afford New York City’s increasing rental market without assistance.

 

Additionally, public housing waitlists can take years, leaving families trapped in uncertainty without immediate housing solutions.

 

Many recipientss also have legitimate concerns regarding safety in certain public housing developments, including high crime, gun violence, poor building conditions, and other issues affecting their quality of life. Households should not be forced to choose between homelessness and living in environments they believe are unsafe.

 

Recipients deserve transparent, realistic, and dignified pathways that safeguard them from displacement while promoting long-term housing stability.

 

We Are Asking For:

 

1. Additional Federal Funding for EHV Programs

 

Congress and HUD must allocate additional funding to prevent current EHV households from losing housing assistance due to program expiration.

 

2. Permanent Transition Options

 

EHV recipients should have access to realistic transition pathways, including:

• Conversion opportunities into permanent Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Expansion of affordable housing options
• Middle-income housing alternatives
• Homeownership pathways for qualified participants

3. A Transparent Housing Stabilization Pathway

 

Recipients need clear guidance explaining:

• What happens when EHV funding ends 
• Which programs they qualify for
• Realistic timelines for housing assistance
• Available relocation and transition resources

No family should be left to navigate housing instability without clear guidance and proper support.

 

4. Protection Against Housing Instability

 

No recipient should be abruptly forced into homelessness or unsafe housing conditions because funding ended.

 

5. Better Housing Navigation Support

Recipients need:

• Relocation assistance
• Financial counseling and credit repair
• Homeownership programs
• Access to safe and affordable neighborhoods
• Case management support during transitions

6. Prioritization for Vulnerable Households

 

Seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, and individuals transitioning out of homelessness should receive additional protections and stabilization resources.

 

Why This Matters

The cost of losing stable housing is far greater than the cost of prevention.

 

Removing housing assistance without meaningful alternatives increases:

• Mental health crises
• Households displacement
• Homelessness
• Shelter system strain
• Financial instability
• Loss of resources 

Stable housing allows people to work, care for their families, maintain medical treatment, and improve the quality of life.

 

We urge policymakers to act now before thousands of households face avoidable housing emergencies.

 

Sign This Petition To:

• Protect vulnerable households from displacement
• Expand permanent affordable housing solutions
• Create realistic pathways for middle-income households
• Increase transparency surrounding EHV 
• Support reliable transitions instead of sudden housing loss
• Keep families safely housed

Housing is a human right and essential for everyone.