Funds and Services for Tenants Experiencing Need (FASTEN) is a program available as rental assistance for vulnerable and underserved New York residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who are at risk of losing their homes.
FASTEN is an initiative offered by the coalition of property owners, nonprofits, and city agencies known as Project Parachute, whose main focus is to reach those not eligible for regular government assistance. The program offers short term rental assistance to cover rent arrears, moving expenses (such a security deposit, first month’s rent) and other economic necessities that could be needed while searching for a new job, like transportation, the cost of a new license, childcare services and/or other costs.
According to Michael Collins, Program Director of Most Vulnerable Populations, at Enterprise Community Partners, as of September 2021, 1,300 households have applied– with 2,800 individuals receiving a type of assistance. “We try to reduce the requirements. We really work with the tenant to secure the documentation, rental leases, coordinating with the landlord,” added Collins.
FASTEN also guides applicants to resources that will help them navigate the housing court system, and also receive vital information about tenant rights and other programs available to residents such as SNAP and/or different types of pandemic relief. You can find the full list of services provided in here: ENG | SPA
Anyone who is facing housing insecurity, regardless of immigration status or type of employment, is eligible for this rental assistance. In order to receive aid through the program New Yorkers must meet the following requirements:
- Have a salary that is less than 50% of the median income in the area– as shown in the following table:
- Face housing insecurity (e.g. not able to pay full amount of rent) and,
- Was affected negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic (increase of expenses or loss of income)
The average, including intake, application can take between two to four weeks, although it can take longer if more documentation is needed, said Collins.
All units are encouraged to apply. The program looks at individual households and, within apartment units, at room rentals and sublets. The initiative will run until April 30th, 2022.
List of Organizations Offering Rental Assistance FASTEN Services
FASTEN services are provided by seven organizations working under the program Homebase, which provides rental assistance to New Yorkers experiencing housing instability with various prevention services.
BRONX
BRONXWORKS
Contact: Juandy Paredes | jparedes@bronxworks.org | (646)556-5633
Zip codes: 10456, 10451, 10452, 10454, 10455
CATHOLIC CHARITIES COMMUNITY SERVICES
Contact/helpline: 1(888)744-7900
Zip codes: 10462, 10472, 10473, 10474, 10461, 10464, 10465, 10466, 10469, 10475
HELP USA
Contact Marisol Toledo-Liz | HBSA-2PP@helpusa.org | (646)905-5289
Zip codes: 10459, 10460, 10467, 10470, 10453, 10463, 10468, 10471, 10457, 10458
BROOKLYN
CATHOLIC CHARITIES NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Contact: Christine Giunta Bogdahn | project@CCBQ.org | (718)674-1000
Zip codes: 11203, 11234, 11236, 11207, 11208, 11239
RISEBORO
Contact: PREVENTION@riseboro.org (718)210-2767
Zip codes: 11206, 11211, 11221, 11222, 11237, 11249, 11251,11212
CAMBA
Melissa Mowery | CAMBAHomeBase@camba.org | (718)622-7323
Zip codes: 11201, 11205, 11213, 11215, 11216, 11217, 11225, 11231, 11233, 11238, 11204, 11209, 11210, 11214, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11223, 11224, 11226, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11232, 11235
QUEENS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Contact: Christine Giunta Bogdahn | project@CCBQ.org | (718)674-1000
Zip codes: All of Queens
STATEN ISLAND
CAMBA
Melissa Mowery | CAMBAHomeBase@camba.org | (718)622-7323
Zip codes: All of Staten Island
MANHATTAN
SERVICES FOR THE UNDERSERVED
Contact: Adam Wawrynek | awawrynek@sus.org | (646)790-2449 ext. 4363
Zip codes: All of Manhattan
Also read: Organizations Serving Immigrants in New York
