Rejecting Bloomberg Policies, New York City Will Ease Some Hurdles to Public Assistance 

Steven Banks, the commissioner of the Human Resources Administration, testifies during a budget hearing at City Hall. Joining him are agency staff members, from left: Jill Berry, executive deputy finance commissioner; Ellen Levine, chief financial officer; and Jennifer Yeaw, chief of staff. Credit Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

Mr. Banks said that the city hoped to create two new rental subsidy programs for the homeless. For families in which at least one person works 35 hours a week, the city has set aside only $6 million next year, but expects to spend a total of $80 million over four years, half of it provided by the state. For the chronically homeless and the disabled homeless, the city is hoping to divert some $60 million in city and state funds that it expects to save next year by capping the reimbursement rates to landlords who provide shelter for the homeless.