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Officials from the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) said they were informed by NYCHA officials earlier this month that Section 8 voucher payments would be delayed due to complications associated with the recent federal government shutdown. NYAA officials said they were monitoring the situation closely and would provide additional information to members as it became available. NYCHA provided an update on the situation on Saturday, Dec. 6.
An initial statement from NYCHA on Monday, Dec. 1, read, “The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informed the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and other public housing authorities across the nation that funding for distribution to Section 8 landlords would be delayed this month due to administrative issues in the aftermath of the recent federal shutdown.”
It continued, “Following notice from HUD that payments to Section 8 landlords would be delayed this month, NYCHA is assessing interim options and will distribute funding as soon as it becomes available from HUD. NYCHA’s Section 8 payments to landlords are contingent on federal funding, with the Authority serving as a pass-through for Housing Assistance Payments (HAP). It is NYCHA’s standard procedure to pay its Section 8 landlords as soon as is reasonably practicable following its receipt of funding from HUD.”
The statement concluded, “NYCHA extends its sincere apologies for any inconvenience incurred as a result of the delayed distribution of Section 8 funds. We will continue to work with HUD and update tenants and landlords accordingly in the weeks to come.”
Meanwhile, NYAA alleges NYCHA officials said they expected to receive the rest of the federally approved funding during the week commencing Dec. 8, at which point they allege NYCHA would transfer the remaining payments owed to property owners. Norwood News contacted NYCHA to check on this point. We did not receive an immediate response. However, on Dec. 6, NYCHA confirmed it now has the full funds needed to make landlord payments for the month of December.
“Following notice from HUD that payments to Section 8 landlords would be delayed this month, NYCHA is happy to report that it has now received full funding from HUD and will promptly process payments,” the statement read. “NYCHA’s Section 8 payments to landlords are contingent on federal funding, with the Authority serving as a pass-through for Housing Assistance Payments (HAP).”
The statement continued, “It is NYCHA’s standard procedure to pay its Section 8 landlords as soon as is reasonably practicable following its receipt of funding from HUD. On Monday, December 8, NYCHA expects to start processing payments and landlords should begin to see these payments shortly thereafter.”
Norwood News also reached out to HUD for more information on the matter. We did not receive an immediate response.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.