Bill > S00871

This bill amends the public housing law to establish uniform waiting list priorities for domestic violence survivors applying for public housing. Specifically, the bill requires local housing authorities that have applicant preferences to treat domestic violence survivors with the same priority as other disenfranchised populations like the disabled, elderly, and homeless. To qualify for this priority, a domestic violence victim must either be at continued risk of violence if they remain in their current residence or have left their residence due to domestic violence and are not in standard permanent replacement housing. The bill uses the definition of "victim of domestic violence" from the social services law. When multiple applicants have the same preference status, housing authorities must select applicants based on the date and time of their application, effectively creating a first-come, first-served system within each preference level. The act takes effect immediately and applies to local housing authorities whenever they add new people to their waiting lists, helping to provide more immediate and structured housing support for domestic violence survivors.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S871