New York City Council Votes to Overturn Mayor's Veto, Stopping Rent Hike for City Housing Voucher Program
In a significant victory for low-income New Yorkers relying on the city's housing voucher program, the New York City Council voted to override Mayor Eric Adams' veto of a bill that would have increased the rent contribution required from those participating in the program. The measure, which was approved by a narrow margin, effectively blocks a proposed 10% rent hike for thousands of families using the CityFHEPS voucher program.
The move marks the latest dispute between the Council and Adams over the growing reliance on the CityFHEPS voucher program, with over 60,000 New York families currently relying on it to pay rent each month. The program is one of the nation's largest rental subsidy programs, and a 40% rent contribution limit had been proposed by the Adams administration to offset rising costs.
However, the Council rejected the increase, citing concerns that it would disproportionately affect low-income households already struggling to afford housing. "This Council has been steadfast in working for the people of this city, particularly for the least of these and the most underserved populations," said Speaker Adrienne Adams during a press conference before the vote.
Advocates for homeless New Yorkers welcomed the override, hailing it as a crucial victory in their fight to secure affordable housing for thousands of vulnerable residents. "My experience, from being able to get this voucher years back, to seeing the organizations and electeds keep fighting to make it what it is now – I'm proud it's helped tens of thousands of people get out of shelter," said Milton Perez, a leader with VOCAL-NY's Homelessness Union.
The override marks just one of several bills that the Council overrode on Thursday. The move has been met with criticism from the Adams administration, which claims that the override is an attempt to undermine future mayoral authority and burden businesses with unenforceable requirements.
In a significant victory for low-income New Yorkers relying on the city's housing voucher program, the New York City Council voted to override Mayor Eric Adams' veto of a bill that would have increased the rent contribution required from those participating in the program. The measure, which was approved by a narrow margin, effectively blocks a proposed 10% rent hike for thousands of families using the CityFHEPS voucher program.
The move marks the latest dispute between the Council and Adams over the growing reliance on the CityFHEPS voucher program, with over 60,000 New York families currently relying on it to pay rent each month. The program is one of the nation's largest rental subsidy programs, and a 40% rent contribution limit had been proposed by the Adams administration to offset rising costs.
However, the Council rejected the increase, citing concerns that it would disproportionately affect low-income households already struggling to afford housing. "This Council has been steadfast in working for the people of this city, particularly for the least of these and the most underserved populations," said Speaker Adrienne Adams during a press conference before the vote.
Advocates for homeless New Yorkers welcomed the override, hailing it as a crucial victory in their fight to secure affordable housing for thousands of vulnerable residents. "My experience, from being able to get this voucher years back, to seeing the organizations and electeds keep fighting to make it what it is now – I'm proud it's helped tens of thousands of people get out of shelter," said Milton Perez, a leader with VOCAL-NY's Homelessness Union.
The override marks just one of several bills that the Council overrode on Thursday. The move has been met with criticism from the Adams administration, which claims that the override is an attempt to undermine future mayoral authority and burden businesses with unenforceable requirements.
I'm so stoked about this news! It's a total win for low-income New Yorkers who rely on the city's housing voucher program 
. The Council's decision to override Mayor Adams' veto is a major victory for those struggling to afford housing in NYC 
. 60k families are counting on that program to get by each month, and it's insane that they'd try to increase the rent contribution required from them 
.
. The Council did the right thing here, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations over the mayor's plans 
. And let's be real, 10% rent hike would've been devastating for families who are already barely scraping by 
.
. Kudos to Speaker Adrienne Adams and VOCAL-NY's Homelessness Union for their tireless work on behalf of those in need 
!
. Can't we just have one straightforward conversation without all these back-and-forth politics? The fact that 60k families are relying on this program is actually kinda awesome, but does anyone care about the actual people involved?!
. I mean, yeah the Council is doing good by overriding the rent hike, but at the same time, it's like they're playing politics w/ people's lives. I feel like we should be workin' together 2 solve these problems instead of tryna outsmart each other 
. Anyways, glad to hear that those who need affordable housing got a win 
. We gotta keep pushin 4 a better future 4 all, not just the privileged ones 
. kudos to speaker adrienne adams for speaking truth to power and advocating for those most in need 
its days like these that remind me why i love living in nyc 
.
Adams was tryna charge them more but council voted against it like they care about ppl struggling to pay rent 
.
, their work is crucial in ensuring that everyone has access to safe and secure housing