A Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of the Adams administration Thursday in its efforts to prevent changes to a key housing voucher program known as CityFHEPS. 

What You Need To Know

  • A Manhattan Supreme Court judge on Thursday ruled changes to the city’s housing program “invalid” 

  • In July 2023, the City Council overrode a veto by Mayor Eric Adams to implement changes to the program, including expanding the program to those facing eviction and increasing the income eligibility minimum
  • The City Council and housing advocates intend to appeal the ruling

CityFHEPS is a program that aims to help homeless New Yorkers. 

In January, changes to CityFHEPS, including expanding the program to those facing eviction and increasing the income eligibility minimum, were supposed to take effect.

However, the Adams administration refused to implement the new laws, arguing that under state law, the city’s Department of Social Services and not the City Council had the sole authority to make changes to the program. 

The case went to court last Monday and Thursday. Judge Lyle Frank ruled against the City Council. 

“The Court finds that entity that serves as the ‘social services district’ that has received authority from the State to set social services policy is City DSS, and consequently the Council’s new laws conflict with that state law delegation of policymaking authority and is preempted,” Judge Frank said in his ruling. 

The City Council and homeless advocates intend to appeal the ruling.