Bills affecting Housing-insecure in New York — 2026 session

Reduces the period of notice required to be given when a written demand for rent is served on a tenant after the tenant has defaulted in the payment of rent and the period of notice to be given serving a warrant issued pursuant to a final judgment of eviction from fourteen days to seven days.

Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.

Limits the requirements of supplying good cause eviction law notice to units covered by good cause eviction laws.

Establishes a fundamental right to counsel for all respondents facing eviction proceedings; mandates an automatic stay or adjournment on any housing court eviction proceedings if a tenant does not have an attorney.

Enacts the "shelter arrears eviction forestallment act" to provide emergency assistance for rent or mortgage arrears or other fees for the prevention of eviction.

Requires that no homeless shelter shall be located within five hundred feet of a transit facility.

Makes migrant youth under the age of 25 who are receiving runaway and homeless youth services eligible to receive housing vouchers under the family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program.

Requires shelter allowances be set at up to one hundred percent of the fair market rent for the local social services district.

Establishes the homeless protection act which designates certain offenses against homeless persons as hate crimes; includes the definition of homelessness.

Provides that the comptroller shall examine and audit all state or federal funds appropriated or received for the humanitarian aid including short term shelter services to migrant individuals and families, including costs associated with humanitarian emergency response and relief centers for individuals entering short term shelter on or after April 1, 2024 in New York city or any other municipality in New York state.

Prohibits the use of aversive conditioning which includes any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain, including but not limited to hitting, pinching and electric shock; prohibits the use of any procedure or punishment which denies a vulnerable person reasonable sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities and any other aspect expected of a humane existence; defines terms.

Includes households who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence under the family homelessness and eviction prevention supplement ("FHEPS") program.

Prohibits the eviction of tenants for using medical marihuana for a certified medical use.

Establishes the "winter moratorium on evictions act" to prohibit eviction of tenants from residential properties during the winter months.

Prohibits naming dependent children under the age of 18 living in the same household with a parent or guardian in petitions to recover possession of real property and eviction warrants; seals any records pertaining to dependent children under the age of 18 living in the same household with a parent or guardian who were residing on or removed from such property.

Establishes a co-shelter toolkit of best practices, resources, case studies and other information deemed helpful to inform and encourage the implementation and sustenance of co-shelter models for victims of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness with companion animals; makes related provisions.

Relates to establishing distinctive "Women Veterans" plates and the women veterans support fund; establishes that moneys of the fund will be used for women veteran homelessness, counseling and other programs that support women veterans.

Requires New York city marshals to complete an electronic filing within one business day of service of a notice of eviction.

Provides that schools, child day cares, day care centers, or community based organizations which support activities for children under the age of eighteen can not serve as a shelter for migrants.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance to make publicly available on its website information regarding waivers, rental supplement plans and shelter supplement plans.