Protecting Veterans from Eviction

1 in 4 NYC tenants has not paid rent since March, placing many New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes. If you're a veteran worried about eviction, please contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250.

Even as the DVS Housing and Support Services (HSS) team works remotely, they continue to find apartments, offer virtual tours, and do everything they can to rapidly house veterans in need. For support from HSS contact:​

• Dana Rock, HSS Director​
  (646) 901-4948​
  DanaRock@veterans.nyc.gov​ 

• Horng Chou, HSS Deputy Director​
  (646) 532-1884​
  Hchou@veterans.nyc.gov​

For support regarding eviction​ prevention contact:​

• Angela Guyton-Cyril​
  (646) 740-8156​
  AGuyton-Cyril@veterans.nyc.gov

Additional Housing Resources

Rental Assistance for Veterans

• The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program provides rental assistance to eligible veterans. To receive services you must currently have a household income that does not exceed 50% of the area median income. Find more information about the SSVF program by visiting our Housing Resources page. You can also contact SSVF@va.gov or 877-737-0111.

Eviction Protection for Veterans Impacted by COVID-19

• New York's eviction moratorium is extended to August 20th for those who can prove financial hardship caused by COVID-19 or who qualify for unemployment.

• Your landlord cannot evict you or ask you to leave your apartment because you test positive for COVID-19. If your landlord attempts to remove you or discriminates against you due to your COVID-19 diagnosis, please file a complaint with the NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) by calling 311 or file a report to CCHR online.

Emergency Support

• NYC Human Resource Administration's Homebase program works with New Yorkers who are currently experiencing an immediate housing crisis. Homelessness prevention experts work to develop personalized plans designed to achieve housing stability. Learn if you are eligible to receive Homebase services. Find the contact information for a Homebase location in your borough: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island.
• New York City renters struggling to pay rent can contact the newly created tenant helpline by calling 311.

• NYCHA has made it easier for public housing residents to reduce their rent during the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more. 

Support for Homeless Veterans

• Veterans who are homeless or are at-risk can receive 24/7 support from the VA by calling 1-877-4AID-VET​ (1-877-424-3838)​
• Homeless veterans are also welcomed at drop-in shelters operated by the NYC Department of Homeless Service.

Need to Know

DVS Begins Processing VA Claims

This month, we began our collaboration with the New York State Division of Veterans' Services to process VA claims. For the first time, New York State and New York City are working together to get veterans and their families the benefits they’ve earned.

Have questions about claims? Contact DVS at benefitclaims@veterans.nyc.gov.

Get Certified with NYC

 DVS and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) are encouraging minority, women, and socially disadvantaged veteran business owners to become certified through the Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Program and/or the Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program. Certified veteran-owned businesses will have greater access to contracting opportunities with NYC government agencies. Learn more. 
  
To request more information, email DVS at business@veterans.nyc.gov.

DVS Commissioner on COVID-19 Relief Efforts

The New York State of Health Foundation is hosting a webinar that will focus on the impact of the pandemic on New York City’s veterans.

DVS Commisioner James Hendon will join the webinar to discuss what DVS has done to lead response efforts.

RSVP here 
WHEN: Tues, July 14th | 11:30 am
Open to all

Support for Veterans with
Other-Than-Honorable Discharge

Restoration of Honor Act

Mental & Behavioral Health Care

Veterans with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge can receive emergency care for their mental health condition at VA medical centers for up to 90 days. The veteran will receive ongoing coverage if their mental health condition is determined to be a result of a service-related injury.

• were on active duty for more than 100 days and served in a combat role, or
• experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault while serving

For more information click here.

NYC & COVID-19

Get Tested for COVID-19

On July 11th, NYC did not have a single confirmed or suspected coronavirus death. This is the first time the City hit this milestone since the pandemic hit in March. Let's continue this trend by ensuring that every New Yorker gets tested ASAP.

COVID-19 tests are FREE and available to all New Yorkers. Get tested even if you do not have symptoms.

To find a testing site near you, go to nyc.gov/covidtest or text "COVID TEST" to 855-48.

NYC Schools

Parents can visit NYC's Return to School 2020 website for regular updates on the upcoming school semester.

The first citywide virtual Family and Student Information Session will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Register here.

Worker Protection Hotline

As the city reopens, employees can call the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection's Hotline at 311 or 212-436-0381 to get health and safety guidelines for the workplace or to report an employer for not following requirements.

2020 Census

Census Contest

You can receive a $1,000 Sealess gift card for completing the 2020 Census.

To enter you must complete the census online and take a screenshot or photo of the confirmation page. Upload the picture at NYC.gov/CensusContest and complete the entry form. Find the full rules here.

This week's contest runs from Tuesday, July 14th, to Tuesday, July 21st at 8:59 am.

Fill out the census here.
Enter the contest here.

Online Veteran Events

Voting: What People with Disabilities
Need to Know

The Capital District Center for Independence Inc. is hosting a virtual information session to inform people with disabilities on how to safely vote in the upcoming election. For more information, please call (518) 459-6422 or email info@cdciweb.com.

RSVP here.
WHEN: Wed, July 15th | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Open to all

Contact DVS

Employment Services:

• Christian T. Peralta​
  (646) 630-1932​ | cperalta1@veterans.nyc.gov​

Education Services and Unemployment Assistance​:

• Amauri Espinal​
  (646) 799-2728​ | aespinal@veterans.nyc.gov

• Dana Rock, HSS Director​
  (646) 901-4948​ | DanaRock@veterans.nyc.gov​
• Horng Chou, HSS Deputy Director​
  (646) 532-1884​ | Hchou@veterans.nyc.gov​

Eviction Prevention:​

• Angela Guyton-Cyril​
  (646) 740-8156​ | AGuyton-Cyril@veterans.nyc.gov​

• Eileen Barcene​
  (646) 499-0055​ | ebarcene@veterans.nyc.gov​

• Melissa Walters​
  (646) 889-4180​ | Mewalters@veterans.nyc.gov

• Tanya Thomas​
  (646) 499-0098​ | tthomas@veterans.nyc.gov