After Broome County leaders accused them of illegally sending homeless families to relocate in the Southern Tier, officials in New York City are firing back.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar spoke out last week against the city's "Special One Time Assistance" program, which pays for one year of rent.

He claimed five families were sent upstate under the program, causing stress on the county's homeless services and budgets.

But New York City DSS officials say SOTA is meant to prevent homelessness by giving extra support as people transition back to independent living.

They say it is only used for families they determine will be able to make rent payments after the program is up.

Furthermore, they say it does not incentivize families to relocate outside of New York City. And they add that all New Yorkers have the right to seek housing wherever they choose, in state or out.

They point to 20 people in the New York City shelter system who previously lived in Broome County as examples.

Garnar appears to not have been swayed. In a statement, he said:

“It is clear New York City has no intent to stop sending people to Broome County through this cynical and illegal program. We will see them in court.”