The state's highest court ruled Thursday that the New York City Housing Authority can evict tenants for lying about their income.

The unanimous ruling by the five-member Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision.

The court explained its decision by saying that housing is limited and has a waiting list of families.

They also ruled that courts should consider every eviction challenge on its own merits.

The case stems from a woman living in an East Harlem apartment who got a job, but claimed in affidavits that she didn't work, which kept her rent lower.

Jacqueline Perez was charged with grand larceny in 2006 and agreed to pay $20,000 in restitution.

NYCHA said it will now follow through on her eviction even though Perez thought her repayment of the money would allow her to stay.