New York's Section 8 program, formally called the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, subsidizes rent for low-income households by paying a portion directly to private landlords. In 2026, eligibility is determined by your household income relative to the Area Median Income (AMI) for your area, citizenship or eligible immigration status, and background history. This guide covers the full eligibility requirements, 2025 income limits for major metro areas across New York, and a step-by-step walkthrough of the application process.
What Is New York Section 8?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal rental assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In New York, it is administered by hundreds of local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), the largest being the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), which operates its own HCV program for the five boroughs. New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) oversees the statewide program for areas outside major cities.
When you receive a voucher, you pay 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, and the housing authority covers the rest up to a local payment standard. You choose your own apartment in the private market, and the voucher stays with you if you move within certain boundaries.
New York Section 8 Eligibility Requirements 2026
To qualify for a housing choice voucher in New York, your household must meet all of the following criteria.
1. Income Limits
Your total gross household income must fall below 50% of the AMI for your county or metropolitan area. HUD classifies this as "Very Low Income." Federal law requires that at least 75% of new voucher holders fall at or below 30% AMI (Extremely Low Income).
New York City has the highest AMI in the state due to its cost of living. Other metro areas like Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse have lower limits.
New York City Metro Area: Section 8 Income Limits (50% AMI, Very Low Income)
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $58,050 |
| 2 persons | $66,300 |
| 3 persons | $74,600 |
| 4 persons | $82,850 |
| 5 persons | $89,500 |
| 6 persons | $96,100 |
| 7 persons | $102,700 |
| 8 persons | $109,300 |
New York City Metro Area: Extremely Low Income (30% AMI, Priority Tier)
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $34,850 |
| 2 persons | $39,800 |
| 3 persons | $44,800 |
| 4 persons | $49,700 |
| 5 persons | $53,700 |
| 6 persons | $57,650 |
| 7 persons | $61,650 |
| 8 persons | $65,600 |
Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metro Area: Very Low Income (50% AMI)
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 person | $32,800 |
| 2 persons | $37,500 |
| 3 persons | $42,150 |
| 4 persons | $46,800 |
| 5 persons | $50,600 |
| 6 persons | $54,350 |
| 7 persons | $58,100 |
| 8 persons | $61,850 |
These figures are based on HUD FY2025 data. Limits vary by county; always confirm the current limits with your local housing authority before applying.
2. Citizenship and Immigration Status
At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Eligible non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other categories. Mixed-status families may apply, but assistance is calculated only for eligible household members.
3. Social Security Numbers
All U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens in your household must provide a Social Security Number. Undocumented members do not need to provide one and are excluded from the benefit calculation but do not disqualify the rest of the household.
4. Background Screening
PHAs in New York conduct background checks on adult household members. Mandatory denials include:
- Lifetime registration on a state or national sex offender registry
- Conviction for producing methamphetamine in federally assisted housing
- Recent violent or drug-related criminal history (each PHA sets its own lookback period)
Criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant. NYCHA and many other New York PHAs have adopted fair-chance housing policies that limit how far back criminal history can be considered.
5. Eviction History
If you were evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity within the last three years, you are generally ineligible unless the responsible household member no longer lives with you.
6. Prior HCV Participation
If you were previously terminated from the voucher program for fraud, lease violations, or drug-related activity, you may face a waiting period before reapplying.
Priority Groups in New York
When waiting lists have more applicants than available vouchers, housing authorities use preference systems. Common preferences that give you higher placement include:
- Extremely Low Income (30% AMI or below): Federally required to receive 75% of new vouchers
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (protected under VAWA)
- Displaced by natural disaster, government action, or redevelopment
- Elderly (62 or older) or disabled households
- Veterans and their surviving families
- Working families (some PHAs apply this preference locally)
NYCHA gives additional preference to current public housing residents who are affected by development plans.
How to Apply for Section 8 in New York
Step 1: Find an Open Waiting List
New York's Section 8 waiting lists are among the most competitive in the country, and most are closed to new applications. Start by checking:
- NYCHA Housing Choice Vouchers: nyc.gov/site/nycha/section-8/about-section-8.page (sign up for notifications when the list opens)
- New York State HCR: hcr.ny.gov (lists programs and contacts for local PHAs upstate)
- Westchester County Department of Social Services: westchestergov.com
- Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority: buffalomha.com
- Rochester Housing Authority: rochesterhousing.org
- Syracuse Housing Authority: syrahc.org
- AffordableHousingOnline.com: Tracks open and recently opened waiting lists across New York State
NYCHA's HCV waiting list was last opened for a limited lottery period. Upstate PHAs sometimes have shorter wait times, and applying to multiple housing authorities in your region is the best strategy.
Step 2: Submit Your Application During the Open Window
When a waiting list opens, you typically have a brief window, sometimes just a few days, to apply. Gather the following before the list opens:
- Full legal names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers for all household members
- Current address and phone number
- Monthly gross income from all sources (wages, child support, Social Security, disability, etc.)
- Names and contact information for current and prior landlords
NYCHA uses a lottery system when the list opens, meaning early submission does not guarantee a better position. Other PHAs use a first-come, first-served or point-based system. Never pay anyone to apply; all applications are free.
Step 3: Get a Confirmation Number and Monitor Your Position
After applying, save your confirmation number. Use it to check your position on the waiting list whenever the PHA allows online lookups.
Step 4: Respond to All Communication
If the housing authority contacts you to update information or schedule an appointment, respond immediately. Missing a communication deadline can get you removed from the list.
Step 5: Attend Your Eligibility Interview
When your name comes up, you will be invited for an eligibility review. Bring:
- Government-issued photo ID for all adults
- Birth certificates for all household members
- Social Security cards or documentation for all members
- Proof of income for the past 12 months (pay stubs, award letters, tax returns, bank statements)
- Documentation of any preferences you are claiming (homeless shelter letter, veteran discharge papers, disability documentation)
Step 6: Find a Qualifying Rental Unit
Once approved, you receive a voucher and typically 60 to 120 days to find a unit. The unit must pass an HQS inspection and fall within the program's payment standard for your area. In New York City, landlords of buildings with six or more units are required by local law to accept Section 8 vouchers. In the rest of the state, landlord participation is voluntary.
Step 7: Sign the Lease and Start Receiving Assistance
After the unit passes inspection, you sign a lease with the landlord. The housing authority signs a separate Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the landlord and pays its share directly. Your portion of rent is generally capped at 30% to 40% of your adjusted gross income.
How Long Is the New York Section 8 Wait?
NYCHA's HCV waiting list had approximately 150,000 families on it before it was closed. When it has reopened, wait times for vouchers have exceeded 7 to 10 years in some periods. Upstate cities like Buffalo and Rochester have much shorter waits, sometimes under a year when lists are open. Applying in multiple jurisdictions and being responsive to every communication is essential.
Section 8 and Other New York Housing Programs
If wait times are prohibitive or you do not qualify, New York offers several other housing programs:
- CityFHEPS (NYC only): A city-funded rental voucher program for homeless New Yorkers and those at risk of eviction
- FHEPS: State-funded supplement for families receiving public assistance
- SARA Vouchers: For survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
- Project-Based Section 8: Vouchers tied to specific apartment buildings; apply directly to the property
- NYCHA Public Housing: Lower-rent apartments in NYCHA-owned buildings; separate waitlist
- LIHTC Properties: Income-restricted apartments at below-market rates statewide
Use the Benefits Navigator screener at /screener to check all programs you may qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for Section 8 in New York City in 2026?
For the NYC metro area in 2025, the 50% AMI limit is $58,050 for a single person and $82,850 for a 4-person household. The Extremely Low Income threshold at 30% AMI is $34,850 for one person and $49,700 for four. Upstate metro areas like Buffalo and Rochester have lower limits.
Is the NYCHA Section 8 waiting list open in 2026?
NYCHA has historically kept its Section 8 waiting list closed for years at a time due to overwhelming demand. Check nyc.gov/nycha for current status and sign up for email notifications when the list reopens.
Can undocumented immigrants get Section 8 in New York?
Undocumented household members cannot receive assistance directly, but they do not disqualify the rest of the household. If at least one member is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, the household can apply and receive prorated assistance for eligible members.
Does New York require landlords to accept Section 8?
In New York City, state law prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants based on their lawful source of income, which includes Section 8 vouchers. Outside NYC, landlord participation is generally voluntary, though some municipalities have adopted similar protections.
Can I use my Section 8 voucher outside New York State?
Yes, after living in the jurisdiction where your voucher was issued for at least 12 months, you can typically port your voucher to another state or jurisdiction. Contact your housing authority to start the portability process.
What happens if my rent is above the payment standard?
You can still rent a unit above the payment standard, but you will pay the difference out of pocket in addition to your 30% share of income. PHAs typically require that your total rent burden not exceed 40% of your income at move-in.
How do I report a change in income or household members?
Report any changes to your housing authority within 10 to 30 days depending on your PHA's rules. Failure to report can result in repayment demands or termination from the program.
For a personalized eligibility check across Section 8 and other New York assistance programs, visit the Benefits Navigator screener at /screener or the New York state benefits page at /states/new-york.
