NYACK - Nine families claim the village housing authority failed to help them acquire appropriate housing for their large families, and "allowed the clock to run," which jeopardized their housing vouchers.
The families' lawyer on Aug. 31 filed an Article 78, which is a lawsuit used to challenge an action, or inaction, by a New York state government entity.
"Petitioners, all of whom are Orthodox Hasidic Jews, have households that are larger than typical," the court filing states. The number of rooms needed for a family are set by U.S. Housing and Urban Development guidelines.
The filing does not specify a claim of discrimination.
At least one family had already lost its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and had to go back on a lengthy waitlist, and the
others were in jeopardy of losing the valuable vouchers, according to the court filing. The vouches can cover thousands of dollars a month in rental costs.
The families' legal representation, Manhattan-based Yurowitz Law, PLLC, also said the families had asked about using the vouchers outside Nyack, including anywhere in Rockland County, where they could find an apartment at the cost limit.
But, the plaintiffs claim, the housing authority hasn't given them relevant information.
A message seeking comment from Steven Yurowitz or William Dobie of Yurowitz Law was not immediately returned.
The plaintiffs are: Shea Lunger, Chaya Leah Reichman, Yechiel Deutsch, Shulem Elya Felberbaum, Trany Spitzer, Yaakov Cohen, Avrohom Holzcer, Yechiel Eisenberg, and Schmiel Padwa. According to court documents, current addresses for the nine plaintiffs are within the Spring Valley area.
Nyack Housing Authority officials did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for comment.
What do families want from Nyack Housing Authority?
According to the court filing, it was tough to find rentals that meet the family size criteria.
Reichman and Eisenberg have vouchers to help cover costs for four-bedroom units, the court petition states. The other seven plaintiffs have five-bedroom vouchers.
When one family sought guidance in figuring out whether their voucher could be extended or other places to look, the court complaint states, the authority sent back an email saying: ”Keep looking."
Units that were found, the court petition states, were above the rent ceiling set by the Nyack Housing Authority.
The court documents did not provide the exact rental figure Nyack Housing Authority and HUD had set.
The program's payment standard is between 90% and 110% of the Fair Market Rent, or FMR, for the area. HUD documents for 2026 showed Rockland County's FMR at $3,738 for a four-bedroom.
The actual rental market, a review of Zillow and other databases, showed higher rents for available units.
HUD's search time is usually 60 days. According to HUD, local housing authorities can extend the search period in certain cases.
The families want 180 more days to find a place where they can use their vouchers, which cover the bulk of rent for needy families.
They also want the Nyack Housing Authority to tell them if they can use their vouchers elsewhere in Rockland County or take them, under federal "portability" rules, to another jurisdiction.
The court filing also seeks to have legal and other costs reimbursed.
How do housing vouchers work?
The families were participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, a federal rental assistance program that helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities pay for safe housing in the private market.
The families' size determines the size of unit needed. The Housing Authority determines if the price is fair for the area, and according to HUD, "may negotiate with the landlord to ensure the rent is reasonable compared to similar units that are unassisted."
Tenants are responsible for finding a home. "Don’t procrastinate, vouchers will expire," a HUD overview of the program, states.
Vouchers are provided directly to the landlord to cover a portion of the rent.
Tenants usually pay 30%, but can kick in up to 40%, of their adjusted monthly income for rent.
Other participants in the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program in Rockland County include the Spring Valley Housing Authority, Ramapo Housing Authority and Rockland County Department of Social Services.
Nancy Cutler covers People & Policy. Reach her at ncutler@lohud.com; follow her on X, Bluesky and Instagram at @nancyrockland.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lawsuit claims Nyack Housing Authority failed to help large families
