Overcoming Rent Arrears

Butler Houses 

A Butler Houses resident and her household were recently facing possible eviction after she experienced job loss following an extended disability leave. Rental arrears were mounting and she was uncertain about her options after her application for unemployment benefits was denied. A NYCHA housing assistant referred her to MAP.

In early November, she successfully submitted an application for public assistance using the ACCESSHRA website. In December, she was approved for ongoing public assistance benefits. HRA issued rental arrear payments on the resident’s behalf, eviction was avoided and the resident was relieved of the increasing pressure.

The MAP social supports programs are made up of a network of City agency providers that help residents identify and connect to benefits they need, navigate the city benefits system and troubleshoot issues they may face. The Department for Social Services (DSS) assists residents in need of housing assistance to be able to afford the cost of rent and to apply for public assistance benefits.