Go to the Self-Service Portal

Applying for Section 8

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) reopened the waitlist for its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 12:00 AM. The application was closed on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 11:59 PM. NYCHA is NOT accepting any additional Section 8 applications at this time. The waitlist is expected to be established by August 1, 2024. Once the waitlist is established, applicants will be notified and can check the status of their application via NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal (selfserve.nycha.info). We will begin to call applicants off the waitlist then. The waitlist status will not be available before August 1, 2024.

If you previously submitted a Section 8 housing application, you may log on to the Self-Service Portal to check the status of the application and update your information.

Temporary Pause in Voucher Issuance for Applicants on the General Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Program Waitlist, Effective August 1, 2025

On March 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will be ending the (Emergency Housing Voucher) EHV program, which has provided critical housing assistance to the nation’s most vulnerable individuals. This program has been paramount in helping NYCHA stabilize approximately 5,500 New York City households since the passage of the American Rescue Plan in 2021, and its conclusion could have a devastating effect on those who currently rely on this essential housing support for the health and safety of their families.  

However, as this program sunsets, HUD has included a provision that allows public housing authorities across the country, including NYCHA, to transition current EHV households to the traditional HCV Section 8 program. As a means of ensuring that fellow New Yorkers maintain access to critical subsidy, NYCHA will begin transferring EHV households to the HCV program in the coming weeks. 

In order to accommodate these changes, effective August 1, 2025, NYCHA must temporarily pause active outreach, including activities related to the application process, and voucher issuance for applicants on the general HCV waitlist. 

Applicants who have not yet received a voucher will be returned to their original position on the waitlist. NYCHA is not removing applicants from the waitlist. If the federal context changes, NYCHA will resume issuing vouchers to applicants on the general waitlist and will contact them in order of application date and priority. 

Applicants on the general waitlist do not need to take any action at this time, however they should ensure their contact information is up to date. To make updates, visit NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal at selfserve.nycha.info. 

Applicants who need assistance updating their information can contact the Customer Contact Center at (718) 707-7771, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

NYCHA’s waitlist remains open for referrals in the following priority categories, although voucher issuance will be delayed: 

• Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative  

• Homeless applicants referred by the Department of Homeless Services 

• Victims of domestic violence referred by prosecutorial or law enforcement agencies  

• Intimidated witnesses referred by prosecutorial or law enforcement agencies  

• NYCHA public housing residents who are required to move  

• EHV voucher holders who are in good standing but are at risk of homelessness due to lack of funding for the EHV Program 

NYCHA will also continue to accept and process referrals under the following Special Admission Programs: 

• Mainstream 

• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) 

• Family Unification Program (FUP) 

• Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) 
• Stability Vouchers 

For questions, please refer to the FAQs on Section 8 Program Updates. 

General Notice to HCV Applicants
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Notice to HCV Applicants With Open Applications
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Things You Should Know When Completing a Section 8 Application

If you are on an existing waitlist, you may be asked to update your preliminary application or submit a complete application. Don't risk your chances for receiving federally assisted housing by providing false, incomplete, or inaccurate information on your application forms.

Learn more about what information you must provide before applying for Section 8 on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) website.

Denial of Assistance

If you are denied assistance, you will be notified by NYCHA and will be given the opportunity to appeal the reason.

Income Limits

You must be income-eligible at the time of voucher issuance. Below are the current income limits for Section 8 applicants:

Self-Service Links

You can view your information and complete certain transactions online. Log on to the self-service portal using your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device to get started.

Housing Discrimination Is Illegal

It is ILLEGAL for your landlord to refuse your voucher or public rental assistance.