Department for Social Services:
Statewide CityFHEPS
Project Duration:
August 2024 to April 2025
Affiliated Organizations:
Service Design Studio + NYC Department for Social Services
Team
Lyndsey Richardson, Studio Director
Josue Ramirez-Romero, Studio Fellow
My Role
Project Manager
Facilitator / Interviewer
Copy-writier
Graphics supervisor
Wins At a Glance
Created flyers about the CityFHEPS program, translated into 15 languages and distributed to DHS service centers for Shelter Residents.
Conducted 3 hours of interviews with Housing Specialists (front-line staff who provide direct service support to clients in shelter.)
Provided user experience recommendations to the CityFHEPS page for improved readability and accessibility.
For individuals living in shelters, navigating housing options is challenging. To help, the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS) worked with the Studio to create promotional materials for the Statewide CityFHEPS program.
What is CityFHEPS?
Program Background
CityFHEPS is a rental assistance program that pays part of eligible clients monthly rent. With CityFHEPS tenants typically pay 30% of their total monthly income toward their rent. NYC DSS then pays the remaining costs of rent to the landlord.
What about the Statewide Expansion?
Project Context
CityFHEPS had recently expanded “Statewide.” Meaning eligible clients could use the program to move outside of New York City, and across New York State.
Our main goal was to increase awareness about Statewide CityFHEPS for DHS shelter residents. We worked with DSS and DHS to create promotional and educational materials for this expansion.
The content of the flyer was designed to directly address common misconceptions about the program.
How the CityFHEPS program works
Visual of the Statewide Expansion
Iconography to represent location + break stigma
