The city is notifying more than 15,000 formerly homeless individuals and families that they shouldn’t expect government help with their rent starting in two weeks.

The Department of Homeless Services says state budget cuts are forcing it to cancel the Advantage program that helps the homeless leave shelters once they’ve found jobs. Advocates say most families that lose the subsidy can’t afford to stay in their apartments.

DHS said yesterday it expects the cuts will force 4,400 families back into shelters and expand the overall shelter population by 51 percent to 39,000 individuals.