A housing voucher program is a government program that helps low-income individuals and families afford housing. Housing vouchers vary, depending on how they are funded. Some vouchers, like Section 8 are run by local public housing agencies who receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing Development (HUD). People with vouchers can choose any housing that meets the requirements of the voucher program. Tenants with Section 8 vouchers spend about 30 percent (and no more than 40 percent) of their income on rent. In New York City, there are many other kinds of housing voucher programs that all have different requirements and standards.
The HCV Program, also called “Section 8 Housing”, is a federal program that is administered through state and local governments, which provides rent assistance to low-income families to rent privately-owned housing. HCV is run by local housing authorities including the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).
The NYC general waitlist for HCV has been closed to new applicants since 2009. Eligibility for all Section 8 vouchers depends on income and family size (also known as your Area Median Income Standard). To learn more about your eligibility, please see the Area Median Income (AMI) Standards chart by clicking this link.
EHV is run by New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) to support people who are or are in danger of experiencing homelessness, including survivors of intimate partner/domestic violence.
New applications are closed.
FHEPS is a state voucher program for families with children, who receive Cash Assistance, and who are at-risk of being evicted or have lost their housing due to domestic violence or health/safety issues. There are two types of FHEPS vouchers: FHEPS (A) helps families facing eviction stay in their home and FHEPS (B) helps families living in a Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter or who are facing eviction rent a privately-owned home.
Apply for FHEPS at a Human Resources Administration (HRA) Benefits Access Center or HRA Homebase location (found here). If you already receive Cash Assistance, submit a “special grant request” on the ACCESS HRA app.
CityFHEPS is a NYC addition to the FHEPS voucher that helps individuals and families find and keep an apartment, room, or a single room occupancy (SRO). The program is run by the Department of Social Services (DSS). Just like State-administered FHEPS, CityFHEPS is a voucher program for families with children, who receive Cash Assistance, and who are at-risk of being evicted or have lost their housing due to domestic violence or health/safety issues. There are two types of FHEPS vouchers: FHEPS (A) helps families facing eviction stay in their home and FHEPS (B) helps families living in a Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter or who are facing eviction rent a privately-owned home.
A PBV is a voucher tied to a specific building in public housing. If someone decides to stop living in their building, they must give up their voucher.
Buildings have very different income eligibility requirements, and anyone can apply as long as you are within the income limits. You can find and apply to many PBV buildings through the housing lottery using Housing Connect. All immigrants, regardless of documentation status, can apply to PBV buildings.
HASA is rental assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS who receive or apply for Cash Assistance. Besides a PBV, HASA is the only rental assistance that is available to immigrants with PRUCOL status living with HIV/AIDS.
Applicants should call ServiceLine (718-557-1399) or go to their office (located at 400 Eighth Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York City). To be accepted into the program, a person must first find an apartment with rent that matches the voucher amount.
Only naturalized/US citizens, legal permanent residents (green card holders) and those with refugee or asylum status are eligible. Immigrants with other types of status (including legal status under U-Visas, VAWA prima facie status or other programs) are not eligible for these vouchers. HOWEVER, families with at least one documented family member are eligible to receive NYCHA public housing and Section 8 assistance.
The Advocacy Unit (AU) at AVP can support clients with housing needs. If you would like to consult with an AVP Advocate regarding your housing voucher or housing needs:
Tenant: A person who rents from a landlord.
Private market: Apartments, buildings, or homes owned by private landlords
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): A government agency that provides public housing in New York City. It is one of the agencies that manages Section 8 housing vouchers.
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD): A government agency that aims to maintain existing affordable housing and to fund new affordable housing developments in New York City. It is one of the agencies that manages Section 8 housing vouchers.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO): A type of housing for low-income individuals who rent single rooms in a building. Tenants share a kitchen and bathrooms with other residents.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Housing Choice Voucher
NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
New Destiny Housing (webinar & website resources)
NYC Continuum of Care, Emergency Housing Voucher
