Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hra Notifications 1shot topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HRA opposes bill to text/email landlords and tenants on emergency rental awards citing state confidentiality law and security risks
Summary
HRA opposed a City Council proposal on June 3 to send automated text and email notices to tenants and designated building owners when emergency rental assistance awards are approved, warning of state confidentiality risks and technical costs.
During a hearing June 3, Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration officials detailed privacy and operational concerns with Intro 12‑32, a bill that would require automated text or email notifications to tenants and to a building owner or the owner’s designated agent when a tenant’s emergency assistance (the so‑called "1‑shot" grant) is approved.
Administrator French told the committee that "Social Services Law §136 is the primary state law" governing confidentiality of public benefit recipients and that sending application status details by unencrypted text or email could implicate that statute when a tenant is receiving benefits. The agency also said that mailing checks is the predominant current payment method for arrears and that HRA already uses Access HRA messages and limited text/email notices for basic alerts, but said the content required by the proposed bill would require additional system development and state‑level notice requirements through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Council members and advocates raised examples of serious harm from notification gaps. Council Member Levanks recounted a case in which a tenant was evicted and spent weeks homeless while HRA's payment reportedly arrived at the management company; council members urged faster, more reliable landlord notification so payments reach property managers promptly and potentially prevent homelessness.
HRA also provided a fiscal note: OMB estimated $64,000 in annual OTPS to operate and a one‑time $305,000 OTPS development cost to implement the notification system. Administrator French said DSS would need to coordinate with OMB and the IT teams and that existing Capital funds for Access HRA might or might not cover the needed work.
HRA asked to continue discussions with the bill sponsor on privacy safeguards, encrypted channels, and the precise reporting fields to be delivered. Committee members asked HRA to provide additional information about current denial rates and processing timelines; HRA agreed to follow up with more detailed breakdowns.
