Funds and Services for Tenants Experiencing Need (FASTEN)

Organization Name: Enterprise Community Partners, on behalf of P

Project Title: Funds and Services for Tenants Experiencing Need (FASTEN)

Project Location: Citywide

Project Description:
Funds and Services for Tenants Experiencing Need (FASTEN) provides grant funding to seven service providers that operate New York City’s Homebase eviction prevention program to bolster their efforts to keep vulnerable tenants in their homes in the wake of Covid-19. FASTEN is administered by Enterprise Community Partners, and is part of the broader ‘Project Parachute’ initiative, a philanthropic effort seeded by more than 50 property owners. One key goal of Project Parachute is to expand the capacity of community-based service providers to deliver eviction prevention services to individuals who traditionally have been ineligible for these services, including undocumented immigrants and shadow economy workers. Through FASTEN, eligible tenants can access a wide range of services to holistically address inability to pay rent over the long-term, as well as direct financial assistance to resolve rental arrears for New Yorkers who are unable to access other forms of rental assistance.

Community Impact:
FASTEN serves individuals and families who are housing insecure but unserved or underserved by existing resources to address rental arrears and prevent eviction. Eligible clients earn less than 50% of area median income and have suffered negative financial impacts related to Covid. Anyone who meets these requirements can receive assistance regardless of immigration or employment status.
Eligible tenants can access virtual and in-person services, including financial counseling, tenants’ rights education, and career development. Clients who cannot access traditional rental assistance resources can also receive one-time or short-term financial assistance, including direct rental arrear assistance, and assistance covering costs associated with securing and transitioning into new housing, including security deposits and moving expenses, as well as career development and job search related costs.
As of early November, 208 households had enrolled in the program, with $477,000 in financial and rental assistance requested or disbursed. Over $10.6 million in philanthropic funds has been raised to support FASTEN, with a fundraising goal of $15 million to support at least 1,600 households through December 2021.

Organization Description:
Project Parachute is a coalition of New York City property owners who have pledged to help the most vulnerable renters remain in their homes during and in the aftermath of the Coronavirus crisis and provide a vehicle for the real estate industry to contribute toward the economic viability of the city and its residents. Participating property owners are philanthropically supporting Enterprise Community Partners, a national affordable housing nonprofit and local nonprofit Homebase providers to administer the FASTEN program.

Team Members:

Enterprise Community Partners
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
HPD
HRA
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)
NYSAFAH
REBNY

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