Section 8, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, provides funding for rent subsidies for eligible low-income families for decent, safe, and affordable housing.

The general public cannot apply for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Section 8 Program.

You must be referred by other programs/agencies and meet very specific and defined requirements. These include HPD, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and the Human Resources Administration (HRA).

Families may choose housing within a neighborhood of their choice from a property owner. Rent subsidies (vouchers) allow families to pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent while the program, within specific limits, makes up the difference.

You can get more information:

Online

Learn more about HPD Section 8 Program.

By Email

View list of HPD Division of Tenant Resources (DTR) emails by topic.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development
  • Division: Section 8 Unit
  • Phone Number: (917) 286-4300
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

In Person

To make an appointment for in-person assistance, please call 917-286-4300 and select the "appointment" option from the menu.

HPD Client Services
100 Gold Street, Room 1-0
New York, NY 10038
(Between Spruce Street and Rose Street)
Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM

HPD does not provide apartment locator services. Apartment listings are available online.

View Section 8 apartment listings.

Property Owners and Brokers

Property owners and brokers who want to list apartments on www.affordablehousing.com may do so by visiting the website and entering the following information:

  • Owner name and contact phone numbers
  • Addresses of vacant apartments including cross streets and apartment numbers
  • Description of the apartments, including number of bedrooms, utilities that are included in the rent, required security deposits, and brokers fee
  • Desired monthly rent

List your property for Section 8 rentals.

You can appeal most decisions to deny or end Section 8 assistance. All notices of such decisions made by HPD include instructions for requesting an appeal. Appeals are not automatic. You must request them in writing. The request for an appeal must arrive at HPD within the timeframe indicated on the notice.

You can get a lawyer or have another person represent you at the informal hearing. The City will not pay for your lawyer. Both you and HPD will be able to present evidence and witnesses.

You will receive written information about the outcome of your appeal.

Learn more about HPD Section 8 termination and appeals.

The Section 8 payment standard is the maximum amount HPD will pay towards a rent in the Section 8 program. HPD's Section 8 payment standard is set at a percentage between 90% - 110% of NYC's Fair Market Rent (FMR). FMRs are set at the federal level by HUD and are subject to change each year.

Section 8 tenants are required to pay approximately 30% of their income towards gross rent (rent to owner + any tenant paid utilities). HPD pays the difference between the tenant rental share and the HPD payment standard. Families wishing to rent units above the payment standard will pay the difference out of pocket, however rents that require tenants to pay more than 40% of adjusted income at initial lease up will not be approved.

View current HPD Section 8 subsidy and payment standards.

When your application for HPD Section 8 is determined to be complete, you are placed on a waiting list. Your spot on the list is determined by the date and time you completed the application. HPD will contact you when it is your turn to be briefed on the HPD Section 8 requirements. Once briefed, you will receive your voucher. HPD cannot provide waitlist status over the phone. You must notify HPD if your contact information changes. If HPD cannot reach you, your application may be denied.

The number of bedrooms that is reflected on your voucher is specific to your household size, based on HPD subsidy standards. Vouchers have an initial term of 120 days. During that time, you may search for an apartment that you want to rent, and submit a completed landlord package to HPD. If you are a new applicant and do not use the voucher within 120 days, the voucher expires, and your opportunity to use your rental subsidy ends.

In certain documented situations, you may be able to request an extension of your voucher. You must make that request within 30 days of the expiration date of the voucher. If you do not do so, or if your request for an extension is denied, your opportunity to use the subsidy ends.

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