The City of New York's rental assistance program, Work Advantage, now is available to families and individuals currently in a Housing Stability Plus (HSP) apartment who are working at least 20 hours per week at minimum wage or greater and are on Public Assistance or in Single Issue status.  If families and individuals are in the HSP program and meet these criteria, they may be eligible to convert from HSP to Work Advantage.

Top Benefits for Landlords of Work Advantage Program

1. Rent level based on family size
2. Up to one year of assured rental payments regardless of tenants' Public Assistance status
3. Competitive market rates
4. Payments up front - pro-rated rent, three month's rent, one month's security and a 15% broker's fee at lease signing
5. Electronic Funds Transfer for rent payments
6. Quick apartment registration and inspections
7. Access to the citywide Homebase aftercare program to support tenants while in apartment 
8. Helping homeless families leave shelter for permanent homes, self-sufficiency and independence

HSP tenants transitioning or 'Flipping' to the Work Advantage program may choose to:

• Stay in their current apartment (i.e., 'Flip in Place')

OR

• Search for a new apartment that accepts the Work Advantage program

Transitioning from HSP to the Advantage NY program: Staying in the Same Apartment

To convert their apartment to the Work Advantage program, landlords must call the Office of Re-Housing Call Center at 212-607-5310 and register the apartment with the appropriate tax identification information. Please inform the DHS representative that this apartment registration is a Work Advantage 'Flip in Place.' The apartment then will be processed for a Work Advantage lease.  There will be no apartment inspection when 'Flipping in Place.'

Please note: A broker's fee will not be offered when 'Flipping in Place,' i.e., remaining in the same apartment.

Program Documents

Transitioning from HSP to the Advantage Program: Moving to a Different Apartment

Advantage NY program-eligible families and individuals currently in an HSP apartment may seek a new apartment that accepts the Advantage NY program at the end of their current lease or before the end of their lease if their landlord agrees or if there are special circumstances. HSP to Advantage NY program conversion lease (in a new apartment) will be treated like a regular  Advantage NY program lease except for the following:

• No pro-rated rent will be offered (all conversion leases will begin on the first day of the month)
• No moving expenses will be provided (tenants may request moving expenses from HRA)
• No furniture allowance will be issued to tenants

Click here for more information for brokers and landlords about the Advantage NY program.

Transitioning from HSP to Children/Fixed-Income Advantage

The Children Advantage rental assistance program is designed to help families in shelter with open Administration for Children's Services (ACS) cases. The Fixed-Income Advantage rental assistance program is designed to help families and individuals who are receiving federal benefits such as Social Security disability insurance to leave shelter.

Who is eligible for the program?

Children Advantage assists families identified by ACS for the program.  Only clients who receive an eligibility letter from ACS are able to access this program. Fixed-Income Advantage assists families identified by the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) who are receiving a fixed income benefit, such as Social Security due to a disability. Only clients who receive an eligibility letter from HRA are able to access this program.

To be eligible for the rent supplement, a family residing in shelter must:

1. Be identified by ACS or HRA as a candidate for the benefit.
   

   -and-

2. Have resided in the shelter system for a minimum of 60 consecutive days.

Children/Fixed-Income Advantage eligible families and individuals currently in an HSP apartment may seek a new apartment that accepts the Children/Fixed-Income Advantage program at the end of their current lease or before the end of their lease if their landlord agrees or if there are special circumstances. HSP to Children/Fixed-Income Advantage conversion lease (in a new apartment) will be treated like a regular Advantage NY program lease except for the following:

• No pro-rated rent will be offered (all conversion leases will begin on the first day of the month)
• No moving expenses will be provided (tenants may request moving expenses from HRA)
• No furniture allowance will be issued to tenants