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Oct 22, 2021 | Rommel H. Ojeda

FASTEN: Rental Assistance for Tenants Facing Housing Insecurity in New York

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

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