Oneida County Executive issues Local Emergency Order that bars acceptance of newly expanded New York City rental vouchers without his authorization

UTICA- County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced on Thursday that Oneida County has issued a Local Emergency Order, which bars the acceptance of newly-expanded New York City rental vouchers, without his authorization.

Picente Jr. claims that New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, announced this week a new change to the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) rental assistance program that would provide five years of rental payments to homeless people who agree to relocate to upstate New York and Long Island.

Under the new plan, New York City also divests itself of the obligation to pay for social services, educational services and all other support for anyone who is relocated under the expanded voucher payment program.

“This is just a veiled attempt by Mayor Adams to pass New York City’s migrant crisis on to upstate counties,” Picente said.

“This action is due to the complete failure of federal government policy and lack of leadership in Albany. Oneida County has the same capacity issues as New York City and this maneuver to push their homeless into our community would not only ravage our ability to serve our people in need, but would devastate the affordable housing market and incentivize landlords to displace good local tenants.”

Oneida County’s emergency order prohibits the acceptance of CityFHEPS rental or other voucher by any person, business or other entity by lease agreement or otherwise without authorization from the County Executive.

In order to apply for such authorization, the applicant must identify the address of the property; the term of the lease or other agreement; the monthly rent amount; the amount proposed by the CityFHEPS voucher and the legal names, birthdates and current addresses (if any) of all the individuals to be housed at the property, as well all records of their requested and administered services.

Those violating the Local Emergency Order will be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and a civil penalty of $2,000 per day.

The order goes into effect immediately and may be renewed every five days.

Oneida County Government image.