NYCHA Revokes More Than 3,000 Section 8 Vouchers

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Some New York residents hoping to use Section 8 vouchers to help pay for their housing may be out of luck.

The New York City Housing Authority is revoking more than 3,000 Section 8 vouchers, averaging about $800 a month toward housing.

The vouchers have already been distributed to people who were counting on them to help subsidize their costs.

NYCHA officials said they had to void the vouchers because Congress cut $58 million from its Section 8 budget last spring. They also said the program's turnover rate in the program dropped by half and there was more demand than expected.

"They knew this in May. They didn't let anybody know. People were walking around thinking they have an affordable housing unit, the potential for that, and they don't," said Manahattan Borough President Scott Stringer. "And I think right before Christmas, New Yorkers who are most vulnerable deserve better."

An agency spokeswoman said officials waited more than six months to cancel the vouchers with the hope that funds would be restored and more apartments would become available.

NYCHA officials said they are working aggressively on the federal and local levels to secure funding to meet the demands for the program and working with other city agencies to help those affected, who could now end up homeless.