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A year ago, Aisha Farrakhan of Brownsville, Brooklyn owned her own home. She says an illegal foreclosure sent her to an apartment, and then a building fire forced her into a shelter. After her Section 8 vouchers were approved, she thought she was set to get her own place in the city. Both those dreams were dashed.

"I was sent a letter in January saying they have no funding and that they'll fix it when they can," said Farrakhan. "My oldest has scoliosis, his spine is pushing against his lungs. My other son has Roberts syndrome, he has no arms."

For Farrakhan and about 2,500 other New York City families threatened by budget shortfalls within the New York City Housing Authority, getting vouchers for permanent homes could finally happen, thanks to a nationwide cash infusion announced Friday by Secretary Shaun Donovan of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HUD has $150 million available right now for hundreds of struggling housing authorities across the country and New York City would receive nearly $24 million.

"I think the effect will be immediate because now [that NYCHA] authorities know the funds are there, it can act accordingly," said Donovan.

That is good news for Farrakhan, because not having a stable home has had serious consequences for her son.

"I can't get him the surgery that he needs, because the doctor is saying because he's [in a shelter] he can't get it, because he could be moved at anytime," said Farrakhan.

"A Section 8 voucher has never been more important that it is today in this economic crisis, and so this is a real lifeline for families at this time," said Donovan.

Farrakhan said she is pleased, but hopes the help really comes.

"I'll believe it when I see it. I can't get my hopes up and then get shut back down," she said.