NYC's Controversial Approach to Housing Low-Income Residents and Migrants

New York City will allow low-income residents with city-issued housing vouchers to rent apartments outside the five boroughs, such as Buffalo or Binghamton, in an effort to reduce homelessness. The city will cover the rent for families and individuals with CityFHEPS housing subsidies, providing more affordable housing options in areas where prices are lower. The move comes as the city's homeless shelter population continues to rise, driven by newly arriving migrants, and as median rents reach new highs. The CityFHEPS program, which covers the bulk of the rent for voucher holders, will now allow recipients to search for housing anywhere in the state, expanding their options and potentially helping them move out of shelters.