NEW YORK — New York City is now taking applications for the Section 8 waiting list, for the first time in almost 15 years.
The New York City Housing Authority’s Section 8 waiting list has been closed since December 2009. Here’s everything you need to know about who is eligible and how to apply.
NYC Section 8 Application Process
The application window opens at midnight on Monday, June 3 and runs until 11:59 PM on Sunday, June 9.
It’s free to sign up, and the online portal is available in English and four other languages.
According to the site, the application takes about 20 minutes. If you don’t finish within one session, your data will not be saved and you will have to start from the beginning.
The site also says that duplicate applications will be rejected, so submit only one.
“Submitting an application does not guarantee that the application will be placed on the waiting list or that you will receive a housing offer,” the site says. “All submitted applications are subject to NYCHA review and approval.”
NYCHA says it hopes to complete the waitlist by August 1, and then will start calling people about their status.
Use this link to submit your application.
NYC Section 8 Eligibility Guidelines
So who can apply? Your eligibility depends on five key factors:
- Income: Applicants must fall within specific income limits, which can be found here. For a single person, the annual income limit is $54,350. For a family of four it is $77,650.
- Immigration Status: At least one household member must have eligible immigration status.
- Family: Applicants must be members of a household and meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition, which is: “A single person or a group of two or more persons with or without children who maintain an interdependent relationship and whose income and resources available to meet household needs.”
- Citizen service number: All household members with a BSN must provide this as part of the application process.
- Other standards: All household members age 16 and older must pass a background check and a national sex offender check.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides subsidies to eligible low-income families so they can rent in the private market.
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) administers the nation’s largest Section 8 program, with approximately 85,000 current vouchers.
Read more about NYCHA’s Section 8 Application Guide here.
