Under the Table: Illegal Rent Gouging in the Advantage Program

The Department of Homeless Services‟ Advantage program is a City-funded subsidy program that assists many homeless New Yorkers in their transition from shelter to permanent and independent housing. In recent months, tenants enrolled in Advantage have contacted the Office of the Public Advocate to report being pressured by their landlords to pay additional rent, beyond what is required under the terms of the program. This practice is colloquially referred to as a “side-deal,” and may in some instances even rise to the level of rent gouging, a crime under state law which prohibits payments in excess of the contracted rent.