Spotlight on NYC Housing
Insights
August 4, 2025
Housing security is a children’s issue. At CCC, we know that when families have stable, secure homes, kids thrive. Here’s our take on the current state of housing in NYC and what it means for children and families.
Affordability Issues Persist
New York City faces a growing and persistent crisis as rising housing costs and homelessness continue to affect thousands of households. NYC housing and homelessness* key facts:
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~40,000 number of children sleeping in NYC homeless shelters on any given night
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30% NYC renter households spending 50% or more of their income on rent
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111,830 number of eviction filings in 2024
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1 in 3 renter households with children are living in overcrowded conditions
Housing costs are driving families to leave New York City. According to a 2024 report by the Fiscal Policy Institute, households with young children are twice as likely to leave NYC, with more than a third citing housing unaffordability as a significant factor. Moreover, data from StreetEasy shows that since January 2025, the median market-rate listing price for rent across Manhattan has topped $5,000 for the first time in NYC’s history. Considering these facts, data-driven and family-centered policies are more important than ever.
Rent Assistance: Progress and Pain Points
Progress
In 2023 the City Council took a housing-first approach by passing a four-bill package that reformed the City’s rental voucher (CityFHEPS) eligibility standards:
- Intro 878: ends the requirement that voucher applicants live in shelter for 90-days before they are eligible to apply for vouchers.
- Intro 893: permits accepting a rent-demand letter from landlords instead of a housing court eviction for CityFHEPS eligibility.
- Intro 894: eliminates work requirements and raises the income eligibility for rental assistance vouchers.
- Intro 229: prohibits the deduction of utility costs from the maximum rental allowance.
Mayor Adams vetoed most of the voucher reform bills, which initiated a lengthy appeals process. However, last month a New York appeals court ruled that the Adams Administration must implement this package of bills, paving the way for enactment of these important reforms.
These reforms will make it easier for more families to avoid eviction and find housing—a win for families, housing advocates, and NYC. We are encouraged by this court ruling and will monitor implementation.
Continued Advocacy Will Be Critical
The City proposed an increase to the rent contribution requirement for certain CityFHEPS voucher holders from 30% to 40% of income, a move that could affect over 9,000 NYC households with children. This proposal would have detrimental impacts on family homelessness in NYC, as well-documented evidence points to the relationship between rent-burden and housing instability. And according to the U.S. Census, households should spend no more than 30% of their income on rent to avoid being considered rent-burdened.
This change could push more families to the brink of eviction and into family shelters, ultimately costing the City more than any anticipated savings.
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~$75 cost per night for a family using a CItyFHEPS voucher**
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~$270 cost per night for a family in shelter***
See CCC testimony in strong opposition to this harmful proposal for more details.
Housing Access: Advocacy Ahead
Rent Hike
Housing affordability has played a prominent role in this year’s mayoral race in part because the mayor appoints the Rent Guidelines Board, which is mandated to establish and adjust NYC rents. Between 2021-2024, the city’s Rent Guidelines Board raised rent-stabilized rents by a combined total of 9%. In June of this year, the Board voted to increase rent once again for both one and two-year leases.
“NYC’s next Mayor must prioritize real affordability, invest in permanent housing solutions, and adopt the policies necessary to end family homelessness once and for all.” – the Family Homelessness Coalition
NYCHA Housing
In June, news outlets reported that nearly 6,000 NYC’s Housing Authority (NYCHA) apartments were sitting vacant while over 240,000 families were on the waitlist for public housing as of 2024. Several concerned councilmembers warned that it takes over a year for NYCHA to repair and clean vacant apartments. A new bill, introduced by Councilmember Alexa Avilés, would require NYCHA to annually report the number apartments left vacant for more than 30 days.
The Road Ahead
Solving NYC’s housing crisis requires continued investments, prioritization, and accountability. While advocates have secured important protections and progress, advocacy and mobilization of diverse stakeholders remains a necessity.
Safe, stable, and secure housing is key to child well-being. CCC’s continued commitment to ensuring children are stably housed aims to keep policymakers and government leaders accountable for prioritizing solutions that promote housing security for NYC’s children and families.
