I Vouch for Vouchers

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"I Vouch for Vouchers"

Since 2015, PEU has worked directly with rental owners and brokers to house tens of thousands of New Yorkers with housing subsidies. Amid an affordable housing crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, the federal, state, and City governments have increased the quantity and value of housing subsidies, such as vouchers.

The "I Vouch for Vouchers" campaign features success stories from local property owners and brokers who have worked with PEU's Home Support Unit to rent their units to voucher holders, helping these New Yorkers move from homelessness to secure housing. The campaign highlights the many benefits that rental owners and property managers receive when renting to voucher holders, in addition to addressing misinformation and stigma around vouchers.

On December 16, PEU announced an innovative partnership with StreetEasy to promote the campaign and to educate rental owners and brokers on the benefits and importance of renting to voucher holders. Leveraging the City's expertise, StreetEasy published educational resources for landlords and agents and hosted a fireside chat to educate rental owners and brokerages on Section 8 and the Emergency Housing Voucher program. Earlier this year, StreetEasy also launched a tool on rental listings to inform renters of their rights and how to report source of income discrimination. Learn more about the partnership here.

On May 16, PEU also announced, in partnership with NYC Small Business Services (SBS) and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), an outreach event as part of the "I Vouch for Vouchers" campaign. The event featured City agency mobile units at Roberto Clemente Plaza to raise awareness about resources and benefits to rental owners and brokers who house voucher holders, helping move New Yorkers from homelessness to permanent, stable housing. Read more about the event here.

As the need for affordable housing continues to rise, PEU is looking for new ways to bolster awareness and combat misconceptions and stigma around renting to voucher holders within the real estate community. Help us spread the word about how NYC's rental owners, brokers, and agents can support our city's recovery and provide long-term, stable housing for New Yorkers facing homelessness.


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    • Did you know that voucher holders generally pay 30%-40% of their income towards the rent, and the voucher–backed by the government–covers the rest every month? This ensures you are getting a consistent and timely government-backed check every month for all or a portion of the rent. Learn more at nyc.gov/HSU.


    • Are you a rental owner or broker? You can make a difference for our city's recovery by ensuring safe, stable housing for a New Yorker in need.
      Rent your vacant unit to a New Yorker with a housing voucher! Go to nyc.gov/HSU to get started.


    • Are you a rental owner or a broker in NYC? Get free help renting your vacant room or apartment today! Visit nyc.gov/HSUto get started today.


    • Did you know that when you rent to a voucher holder, the voucher covers all or some of the rent, a 15% broker's fee, and even a one-month security voucher? Learn more today at nyc.gov/HSU.


  • Make a difference for our city's recovery by ensuring safe, stable housing for a New Yorker in need. If you are interested in renting out your vacant unit to a New Yorker with a housing voucher, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/HSU to get started today.

Email Template

Help us spread the word about how NYC's rental owners, brokers, and agents can support our city's recovery and provide long-term, stable housing for New Yorkers facing homelessness by sharing the email below with a landlord or broker you may know.

Subject line:

I Vouch for Vouchers - NYC Resources for Landlords & Brokers

Message content:

Dear [Landlord or Broker],

My name is [your name here] and I am [a tenant in your building]. I would like to let you know of the many benefits available to you when renting your property to a voucher holder. For example, did you know that voucher holders generally pay 30%-40% of their income towards the rent, and the voucher (backed by the government) covers the rest every month? This ensures landlords and brokers are getting a consistent and timely government-backed check every month for all or a portion of the rent.
By renting to a voucher holder, landlords and brokers may be eligible for:

  • 15% Broker's Fee
  • Unit Hold Incentive – covers one additional month's rent when the landlord agrees to accept a DSS/DHS/HRA client and not lease the unit to anyone else during a period of up to 30 days, covering anticipated vacancy expenses.
  • First month of rent in full and 3 months of subsidy payments paid up front
  • Security Voucher (equivalent to one month's rent)
  • Access to the Special Supplemental Assistance Fund (SSAF) – covers up to $3,000 in damages and rent arrears (on top of the security voucher)
  • One-on-one support from the Home Support Unit

The Mayor's Public Engagement Unit's (PEU) Home Support Unit is available to help landlords and brokers in NYC lease vacant apartments to qualified New Yorkers receiving rental assistance. PEU's Home Support Unit Specialists are ready to guide you through the rental process and help end the affordable housing crisis in NYC. You can reach them at nyc.gov/HSU.

And don't just take my word for it: hear what other landlords and brokers have to say about renting to voucher holders in the I Vouch for Vouchers campaign.

You can make a difference for our city's recovery by ensuring safe, stable housing and renting to a voucher holder.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]

I Vouch for Vouchers Video

I Vouch for Vouchers Graphics

Photo of a man named Aaron who is a rental owner. He is smiling, facing the camera. Text reads: I Vouch for Vouchers. There is a quote from Aaron that says: There should be no stigma at all with a person holding a voucher. If anything, it's more insurance because their rent is pretty much guaranteed. The text then continues to say: Owners and brokers, connect with a Specialist now to learn about the benefits of renting to a voucher holder. Vouchers may include one-on-one, free support, 15% broker fee for each unit, security covering 1 month's rent. Learn more at nyc.gov/HSU
A photo of a man named Hafez who is a rental owner and broker. He is sitting in a chair looking at the camera. Text reads: I Vouch for Vouchers. There is a quote from Hafez that says: I try to ensure that we have a good match between tenant and rental owner. The Housing Support Unit, they're very helpful with that. The text then continues to say: Connect with a Specialist now to learn about the benefits of renting to a voucher holder. Vouchers may include one-on-one, free support, 15% broker fee for each unit, security covering 1 month's rent. Learn more at nyc.gov/HSU
A photo of a woman named Elbia who works for the Home Support Unit. It is a head shot of her looking at the camera. Text reads: I Vouch for Vouchers. There is a quote from Elbia that says: We want to make sure that the transactions we assist you with are as smoot as possible and your experience is possible. The text then continues to say: Connect with a Specialist now to learn about the benefits of renting to a voucher holder. Vouchers may include one-on-one, free support, 15% broker fee for each unit, security covering 1 month's rent. Learn more at nyc.gov/HSU
 
A photo of a man named Kazeem who is a rental owner. He is standing in front of a stoop. Text reads: I Vouch for Vouchers. There is a quote from Kazeem that says: Housing support Unit Specialists are very good. They are knowledgeable and open to questions. Anything that you don't know, you can ask them. The text then continues to say: Connect with a Specialist now to learn about the benefits of renting to a voucher holder. Vouchers may include one-on-one, free support, 15% broker fee for each unit, security covering 1 month's rent. Learn more at nyc.gov/HSU
A photo of a man named Luca who is a rental owner. He is standing outside and smiling. Text reads: I Vouch for Vouchers. There is a quote from Luca that says: From a business standpoint it makes sense, it makes all the sense in the world. The text then continues to say: Connect with a Specialist now to learn about the benefits of renting to a voucher holder. Vouchers may include one-on-one, free support, 15% broker fee for each unit, security covering 1 month's rent. Learn more at nyc.gov/HSU

Voucher Flyers

Voucher flyer

More Resources

StreetEasy Parntership Press Release
Article in Brick Underground About the StreetEasy Partnership