Legal Battle Over CityFHEPS Rental Assistance Program
A Manhattan judge ruled Thursday that the City Council overstepped its authority in crafting a package of bills that would have made more New Yorkers eligible for the popular CityFHEPS rental assistance program, handing a victory to Mayor Adams who refused to provide reasons for implementing these measures. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Lyle Frank’s ruling indefinitely blocks the bill from taking effect, dealing a blow to a group of low-income New Yorkers who filed a related lawsuit in February to try to force Adams to implement the law.
Implications of the Court Decision
After the ruling, Legal Aid Society attorney Robert Desir expressed concerns about the impact of the decision on vulnerable New Yorkers, stating that it will have a profound effect on those who are on the verge of collapse, facing eviction, or already homeless. The spokesperson for City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams announced plans to appeal the court’s ruling, indicating the council’s determination to fight for the proposed changes to the CityFHEPS program.
Key Arguments and Legal Justifications
In the legal battle, the government lawyers argued that state law limits the authority of the City Council in making significant changes to welfare programs like CityFHEPS. The court supported this argument, stating that the proposed reforms exceeded the legislative authority of the council. Mayor Adams welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing that the laws were invalid due to state restrictions.
