What Low Income Housing Options Exist in New York

New York has several programs that help people with low incomes find affordable housing. The largest is Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, which lets you rent from a private landlord and the program pays part of your rent. New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) runs public housing — buildings the city owns where you pay rent based on your income. Supportive Housing programs combine affordable apartments with services like job training or mental health support. Mitchell-Lama Housing is older affordable housing built decades ago that still operates at reduced rents. Outside New York City, local housing authorities run their own programs.

The program you can access depends on where you live — New York City has different options than Buffalo or Rochester — and what your household income is. Income limits change yearly and vary by family size. A single person in New York City might have a different limit than a single person in Albany. You do not have to be homeless or in crisis to look into these programs, though some programs do prioritize people in urgent situations.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 vouchers are the most common program statewide, but waiting lists are years long in most places, so you should get on the list even if you do not need housing when ready.
  • NYCHA public housing in New York City has separate income limits and waiting lists from Section 8, and some people may have access to for one but not the other.
  • Your income limit depends on your household size and location — a family of four in New York City has a different threshold than a family of four in Syracuse.
  • You explore to programs through your local housing authority or through a county social services office, not through a state office.
  • Supportive housing programs often move faster than regular housing programs because they target people with specific needs like homelessness or disability.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: How the Program Works

A Section 8 voucher is a document that tells a landlord the program will pay a portion of your rent directly. You find your own apartment from a private landlord who accepts Section 8, and the program pays the landlord; you pay the rest from your own income. The program calculates your share based on your household income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though this can vary. If your income is very low, your share might be as little as $50 or $100 per month.

To get on a Section 8 waiting list in New York, you contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA). In New York City, that is NYCHA. Outside the city, each county or municipality has its own housing authority. You can find your local authority through the New York State Housing Finance Agency website or by calling 211. Most waiting lists are closed right now — meaning they are not taking new applications — but you can ask when the list will reopen. Some areas have waiting lists that are five to ten years long, so even if you do not need housing now, getting your name on the list early matters.

Income limits for Section 8 in New York vary by area. In New York City, the limit for a single person is roughly $35,000 to $40,000 annually, depending on the specific program and year. For a family of four, it is roughly $60,000 to $70,000. These numbers change each year. Outside New York City, limits are often lower. You will need to verify the current limit with your local housing authority because the threshold changes and varies by location.

NYCHA Public Housing in New York City

NYCHA owns and operates apartment buildings throughout New York City where rent is set at 30 percent of your household income. This is different from Section 8 because NYCHA owns the building; you are not renting from a private landlord. NYCHA has about 170,000 apartments across the five boroughs. The waiting list is separate from Section 8, and you explore directly to NYCHA, not through another agency.

NYCHA income limits are different from Section 8 limits. For 2024, a single person can earn up to roughly $39,000 annually; a family of four can earn up to roughly $67,000. These limits are higher than they were in previous years and may change again. You must verify the current limit by contacting NYCHA directly or visiting their website.

The NYCHA waiting list is also very long — often ten years or more depending on the borough and apartment size you want. You can explore online through NYCHA's website or in person at a NYCHA office. You will need proof of income, a photo ID, and proof of residency in New York City. After you explore, NYCHA sends you a letter confirming your process and your position on the waiting list.

Supportive Housing and Special Programs

Supportive Housing combines an affordable apartment with services. These programs exist for people experiencing homelessness, people with serious mental illness, people with HIV/AIDS, formerly incarcerated people, and other groups. The rent is usually very low or zero, and the program provides case management, job training, mental health counseling, or other support on-site or nearby. Because these programs target specific populations, they move faster than regular housing programs.

To access supportive housing, you usually go through a social services agency or homeless services provider, not directly to a housing authority. If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, call 311 in New York City or your local Department of Social Services outside the city. They can refer you to supportive housing programs you may be able to enter. If you have a disability, your local disability services office can also make referrals.

Mitchell-Lama Housing is a smaller program of older buildings built in the 1960s and 1970s. Rent is below market rate, but the program is not actively taking new residents in most cases — you can only get in if someone moves out. If you know of a Mitchell-Lama building you want to live in, contact the building directly to ask if they have a waiting list.

Income Limits and Household Composition Rules

Your household income includes wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular income. It does not include one-time payments, tax refunds, or money from selling an asset. The program counts everyone living in your household, including children, elderly relatives, and unrelated people. If you have a live-in aide or caregiver, they may or may not count depending on the program.

Income limits are set at a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. Section 8 typically uses 50 percent AMI as the ceiling, though some programs use 60 percent. NYCHA uses a different calculation. Because these percentages change yearly and vary by location, you cannot rely on last year's number. You must contact your local housing authority to learn the current limit for your household size and location.

If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the threshold for that program. Some programs have no minimum income — you can be unemployed and still be considered. Others require you to have some income. Ask your local housing authority what the minimum and maximum income thresholds are for the specific program you are interested in.

Documents You Will Need to Provide

When you explore to any housing program in New York, you will need to show proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of residency. A photo ID like a driver's license or passport works for identity. For income, bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a letter from your employer, or a benefits statement if you receive Social Security or unemployment. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the last two years.

Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency with your current address. You will also need to list everyone in your household and provide their dates of birth. If you have a criminal record, you may still be able to get housing, but some programs have restrictions. Ask your local housing authority what their policy is before you explore.

If you are explore to supportive housing, you may need additional documents like medical records, proof of homelessness, or a letter from a social worker. The specific documents depend on the program. Contact the program directly to ask what they need before you gather everything.

How to Find Your Local Housing Authority and explore

In New York City, you explore to NYCHA for public housing and to the NYC Housing Authority for Section 8. Outside the city, each county has its own Public Housing Authority. To find yours, call 211 (a free helpline) and say your county name. They will give you the phone number and address. You can also search online for "[Your County] Public Housing Authority" or "[Your City] Housing Authority."

Most housing authorities have websites where you can read an process or explore online. Some still require you to explore in person or by mail. Call ahead to ask what the current process is and whether the waiting list is open. If the list is closed, ask when it will reopen and whether you can call back or check online to find out.

For supportive housing, start with your local Department of Social Services or a homeless services provider. In New York City, call 311. Outside the city, call your county Department of Social Services. They can tell you what programs exist in your area and how to get referred.

What Disqualifies You or Delays Your process

Most housing programs do not automatically disqualify you for having a criminal record, but some crimes — particularly drug-related convictions or crimes of violence — may make you ineligible. Each program has its own policy. Ask your local housing authority what their rules are before you explore.

If you owe money to a housing program — for example, you were evicted from public housing and owe back rent — you may not be able to get into another program until you pay what you owe or reach a payment agreement. If you have an active eviction case, you can still explore, but the program may wait until the case is resolved before approving you.

If your income is above the limit for the program, you do not meet the threshold. If you have too many people in your household for the apartment size available, you may have to wait for a larger unit. These are not permanent disqualifications — your income may drop later, or a larger apartment may become available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get housing after I explore?

For Section 8 and NYCHA public housing, the wait is usually years because the waiting lists are very long. Supportive housing can move faster — sometimes weeks to a few months — because programs prioritize people in crisis. Once you are offered a unit, you usually have a few weeks to accept it or you go back to the end of the list.

Can I explore to more than one program at the same time?

Yes. You can be on the Section 8 waiting list and the NYCHA waiting list at the same time. You can also look into supportive housing programs while you wait for regular housing. Being on multiple lists does not hurt your chances with any of them.

What if my income goes up after I get housing?

If you are in Section 8 or NYCHA housing and your income increases, your rent will go up. You will still pay 30 percent of your income, so a higher income means a higher rent payment. You are not evicted for earning more money, but your monthly cost will change.

Do I have to be a New York State resident to explore?

Most programs require you to live in the county or city where you are explore. NYCHA requires you to live in New York City. Section 8 programs usually require you to have lived in the area for at least 30 days, though this varies. Call your local housing authority to ask about their residency requirement.

What if the waiting list is closed in my area?

If the list is closed, ask when it will reopen. Some areas reopen their lists once a year; others reopen when funding becomes available. You can call back periodically or ask to be notified when the list reopens. In the meantime, look into supportive housing or other local programs that may have shorter waiting times.