New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently made waves with his announcement to expand the city’s homeless voucher program to encompass the entire state. This decision was prompted by the city’s overloaded shelters and the strain caused by the migrant crisis on its social safety net. However, this move has left county executives across the state pondering a crucial question: Will this expansion lead to an influx of individuals with little to their name?

Struggles and Successes of the Voucher Program

An answer to this question might be found in the struggles faced by a similar state voucher program during its inaugural year. In its first year, this program allocated only $3 million in rent supplements out of a potential $100 million. The initial six months saw a mere $195,000 disbursed among 156 families. Despite these slow beginnings, officials are hopeful that future reporting periods will yield more robust outcomes as more districts implement the program.

Challenges Faced by Local Officials

One of the core issues faced by local officials, mirroring the situation in New York City, is the lack of available affordable housing coupled with the program’s inability to cover sufficient rent relative to market rates. Albany County, for instance, struggled to utilize nearly half of its $1.1 million allocation for the previous year. The county’s Department of Social Services Commissioner, Michele McClave, acknowledged these challenges and emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to maximize the program’s impact.

A Search for Solutions

Legislator Sam Fein, chair of the Legislature’s Social Services committee, urged McClave to develop a more detailed plan to address the rising rents and homelessness issues in the county. Fein stressed the importance of utilizing the funding to help individuals secure permanent housing, but he remains dissatisfied with the department’s response. Fein is actively seeking creative solutions to overcome the obstacles hampering the program’s effectiveness.

Mixed Success Stories

While some counties, like Cattaraugus, Oneida, and Schenectady, have fared better by administering the program through local nonprofits or homeless shelters, others, like Rensselaer County, struggled to spend their allotted funds. Rensselaer County’s St. Paul’s Center, responsible for program administration, reported almost exhausting its nearly half-a-million-dollar allocation. Tracy J. Pitcher, the center’s executive director, emphasized their success in utilizing the program to help homeless individuals find stable housing and reduce their shelter stay durations.

Concerns and Objections

Despite success stories, the New York Association of Counties has raised concerns about the program’s expansion, which they claim was not properly vetted. NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario called on New York City to reverse the initiative, arguing that shifting the problem from one part of the state to another merely exacerbates existing issues. Some county executives, like Oneida County’s Anthony J. Picente, issued orders blocking the use of New York City vouchers in their communities, fearing the strain on their resources and affordable housing markets.

The Program’s Focus and Potential Impact

Mayor Adams has clarified that the voucher program primarily targets longtime homeless residents rather than migrants. The goal is to transition these residents into housing to free up shelter beds for incoming migrants. However, the program’s potential impact remains a subject of debate, particularly regarding its cost-effectiveness compared to other housing options for migrants.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the expansion of the voucher program, it may continue to face challenges in implementation. Critics argue that the program does not adequately address the shelter allowance issue and recommend funding covering 100 percent of fair market rent value. As discussions persist, lawmakers face the task of finding ways to make the program more effective in addressing homelessness in New York State.