In May, the city announced it would give New Yorkers across 200,000 households a fresh shot at a coveted, federally-backed rental voucher by reopening NYCHA's Section 8 waitlist for the first time since 2009. Demand for the program—in which voucher holders typically pay 30 percent of their income on rent—was sky-high, garnering more than 638,224 submissions during the week-long application period. Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes stated, "We just want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to apply, because it could be a life changer. It’s this little glimpse of hope."
Feb. 16 marked the final day of operations at 1365 Jerome Ave., where Human Resources Administration (HRA) staff assisted New Yorkers in applying for food, Medicaid, and cash assistance. The closure was explained by HRA as a move to strengthen their "highly-effective remote processes in a post-pandemic landscape." However, advocates criticized the shift, noting, "the city should be expanding, not contracting, what amounts to a preferred option for many."
As 2024 comes to a close, we're looking back at some of the key events and issues that defined the year, including the reopening of NYCHA's Section 8 waitlist for the first time in 15 years and a solar eclipse. These stories have resonated with audiences, indicating pressing topics surrounding housing and social services that need to be addressed as the community faces evolving challenges.
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